This Father’s Day, we share the inspiring story of a man who turned setbacks into a purpose and became a hero not just for his kids, but to many others around him.

Derek Harwood was born on March 10, 1988, in the quiet town of Kareedouw in the Eastern Cape.

The middle child between two sisters, Derek’s early years were marked by a deep-rooted sense of family – even if he didn’t get to spend as much time at home as he would’ve liked.

After school, Derek entered the world of professional rugby. He signed with the Lions and quickly made a name for himself in the junior teams.

By 2009, he was playing in the prestigious Currie Cup and preparing for a breakthrough into Super Rugby in 2010. Then everything changed.

A back injury during training brought his rugby career to an abrupt halt. What was supposed to be a bright future in professional sports was suddenly uncertain.