He made a promise to always be there for his children, and even after life changed forever, he continues to prove that presence is the greatest gift a father can give.
At 47 years old, Mark Whittington defines himself first and foremost as a father and now a grandfather – roles that shape every part of his life. He is the proud father of two daughters, two step-daughters and a devoted grandfather to a young granddaughter who has brought a new sense of joy into his world. ‘I’ve absolutely loved being a father,’ he says.
‘And now, even more so, being a grandfather.’ He grew up in Benoni, in the same street where he still lives today. His parents remain just a few houses away, a constant presence in his life. Raised in a close-knit Christian family, he credits his upbringing for shaping his values.
‘I grew up in a stable home with my mom and dad and my two brothers,’ he recalls. ‘We had amazing family holidays and what I’d call the perfect world.’ His mother, in particular, stands out as a strong influence and the matriarch who held the family together.
From extreme sports to everyday courage
Before his life changed, Mark was an extreme sports enthusiast who thrived on challenge.
‘I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, did 18 Dusi canoe marathons, multiple Ironman’s, motocross, skydiving- basically anything you can think of.’
But eight years ago, everything shifted in an instant. During a national motocross race, he suffered a devastating accident. ‘Another bike rode over my neck. It broke my C6 vertebrae, and I was paralysed.’
What followed could have been a story of loss. Instead, it became one of resilience.
Fatherhood at the centre
Even before the accident, his greatest focus was always his family. He became a father at just 19, a responsibility that forced him to grow up quickly. Providing for his children and building a life for his family became his priority.
He attended every sports event, from swimming to diving. He spent weekends and holidays with his daughters, involving them in everything he loved. Whether it was mountain biking, wakeboarding, or even skydiving, his children were always by his side. Rather than keeping his passions separate from his children, he included them in everything he did.
Today, those shared experiences live on through memories that still surface during family gatherings. ‘They’ll say, ‘Remember when we did this?’ or ‘Remember when we did that?’ And that makes me happy,’ he says.
‘Those memories are special.’ Becoming a grandfather has added a new layer of meaning to his life. ‘Being a grandfather is even better. She’s absolutely beautiful,’ he says with a smile. Family remains at the centre of everything he does. Weekly dinners are a nonnegotiable tradition. ‘Every Wednesday, everyone comes together. We make sure the whole family is here – our daughters, granddaughter – everyone,’ he explains.
Weekends are often spent together, too, reinforcing their close bond. ‘Family is my everything,’ he adds. Mark’s commitment to his children extended beyond time spent together – he built an environment designed to support them. ‘I built this home so my kids could feel safe and bring their friends here,’ he says. ‘We wanted them around, not out in the streets.’ He also helped lay the foundation for their future.
Today, his daughters run a business breeding and rehoming racehorses. ‘They’ve created something incredible. I don’t want them to carry my legacy – I want them to create their own,’ he shares. Their work has already made a meaningful impact, giving retired racehorses new opportunities in other disciplines. ‘They’ve built their own legacy, and I’m proud of that.’
The power of goals
After his accident, Mark faced a new reality, but his mindset remained unchanged. ‘I’ve always had goals. That’s how I’ve always lived my life,’ he says.
While still in rehabilitation, he was presented with an opportunity that reignited that drive. ‘Someone asked me if I wanted to do the New York Marathon,’ he recalls. ‘That’s the kind of thing that makes my head right.’
He went on to complete two New York Marathons – an extraordinary achievement under any circumstances. ‘It’s easy to sit at home and complain. But setting goals gives you something to work towards.’ For Mark, this principle applies to everyone. ‘If you don’t have goals, whether financial, physical or emotional, you’re not moving forward. You’re just standing still,’ he shares.
He applies this thinking to every area of life, whether it is career, health, or personal growth. One of his most remarkable achievements after the accident was completing the crossing of Robben Island.
This was no ordinary swim. It required 18 months of preparation. Unlike other swimmers, he faced additional challenges.
He could not regulate his body temperature and had to swim on his back. The conditions had to be perfect – water temperature, weather, and safety measures all needed to align. After months of waiting, the opportunity finally came.
He received a call giving him just days to prepare and travel. The experience was emotional and intense. With his wife supporting him from a nearby boat, he completed the swim, an achievement that symbolised perseverance, planning, and courage.
‘It was surreal. The fear of hypothermia, the conditions, it was intense, but having my wife there supporting me made it incredible,’ he adds.
Strength through support
When asked how he stays positive, Mark pauses. ‘I don’t know how I stay positive. I just do what I need to do.’ What he does know is that he is not doing it alone.
‘My support structure is everything- my wife, my kids, my parents, my friends,’ he says. His wife, who married him after his accident, plays a central role in his journey.
‘She’s supported me in everything,’ he says. He also finds purpose in sharing his story with others. ‘If I can help one person, then it’s worth it,’ he says. ‘If someone sees me and thinks, ‘If he can do it, so can I,’ then that motivates me.’
For Mark, the message to other fathers is to be present. Time, he says, is limited. Children grow up quickly, and those moments cannot be replaced. He also encourages fathers to instil strong values in their children
In a world he feels has lost some of its moral direction, he believes parents must take responsibility for teaching respect, discipline and integrity.
A legacy of love and action
Looking ahead, Mark hopes his family will continue to live with purpose and integrity. For him, success is not measured by achievements alone, but by the relationships he has built and the memories he has created.
His journey is not just about overcoming an accident. It is about choosing to live fully, despite limitations. It is about showing up for family, setting goals, and finding purpose.
For this father and grandfather, the greatest achievement is not what he has done, but the life he continues to build with those he loves.
Photographs: PERFECT WEDDING NYC. Text: DESNAY PETERSON
