Victor Vermeulen

IT’S OVER TWENTY YEARS SINCE VICTOR FIRST ESTABLISHED HIMSELF ON THE WORLD’S STAGE, YET HIS PRESENTATION IS AS FRESH AND RELEVANT TODAY AS IT WAS THEN.A NATURAL COMMUNICATOR, HIS MESSAGE IS A UNIVERSAL ONE, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE, NO MATTER WHAT THE DIFFICULTIES, TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS AND FULFILL YOUR AMBITIONS. HIS STORY IS, SADLY, ALL TOO FAMILIAR…

“I felt as if my mind was being held prisoner in an immobile shell and I had become frozen inside my skin. I couldn’t do much, but I had made my choice. I wasn’t going to just give up and die. I decided that my life was worth living and I was going to make the most of it; one breath at a time and one day at a time. I have never been a person who gives up. I decided to fight!”

Victor Vermeulen had it all! From a very early age, he'd excelled at sports and boasted an expansive list of bursaries and awards. He could have represented his country at any number of them but his first love was cricket.

At 19 he had already played with a young South African team at Lords the famous English test ground and was settling into a career with Transvaal. It was really just a matter of time, it was felt, before he would be given the opportunity to go in and bat for South Africa.

Then, a freak accident left him paralyzed from the neck down with little apparently to look forward to only memories of a dazzling past and thoughts of what might have been! Victor, however, as his name implies, is made of sterner stuff!

He did not dwell on the past, but looked at the positive aspects of his situation and with his mother Isabella’s loyal support and encouragement, set off down a new path as a motivational speaker.

Speaking engagements have taken him around the world – Australia – the US – Canada – Britain – Ireland – Dubai – Mauritius – Nigeria and most of Southern Africa. His clients include many top multinationals but he also finds time for school and college visits.

TESTIMONIALS

“This remarkable young South African’s achievements against so many odds have made us appreciate how much we can accomplish no matter what stands in our path. His spirit, enthusiasm and courage serve as a lesson to us all.

”NELSON MANDELA