‘Chop wood, carry water’ Dr Sharief Hendricks : an inspirational story of an impactful South African sports scientist

Abstract

South African sports scientist Dr Sharief Hendricks grew up in an area reserved for people of colour after his family was relocated by the Apartheid government. Sharief comes from a family of fruit and vegetable sellers. Growing up around a family of hawkers and helping with the business every day meant the notion of consistent hard work was instilled in him from a young age. The location of his mother’s stall close to the famous Newlands rugby and cricket stadiums in Cape Town also fuelled a passion for sport.