{"id":24625,"date":"2026-06-02T11:40:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T09:40:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/?p=24625"},"modified":"2026-06-02T11:40:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T09:40:30","slug":"benoni-father-mark-whittington-shares-lessons-on-family-purpose-and-perseverance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/blog\/2026\/06\/02\/benoni-father-mark-whittington-shares-lessons-on-family-purpose-and-perseverance\/","title":{"rendered":"Benoni father Mark Whittington shares lessons on family, purpose and perseverance"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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. \u2018I\u2019ve absolutely loved being a father,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n

\u2018And now, even more so, being a grandfather.\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

\u2018I grew up in a stable home with my mom and dad and my two brothers,\u2019 he recalls. \u2018We had amazing family holidays and what I\u2019d call the perfect world.\u2019 His mother, in particular, stands out as a strong influence and the matriarch who held the family together.<\/p>\n

From extreme sports to everyday courage<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before his life changed, Mark was an extreme sports enthusiast who thrived on challenge.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Mark Whittington. Photo: Perfect Wedding NYC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, did 18 Dusi canoe marathons, multiple Ironman\u2019s, motocross, skydiving- basically anything you can think of.\u2019<\/p>\n

But eight years ago, everything shifted in an instant. During a national motocross race, he suffered a devastating accident. \u2018Another bike rode over my neck. It broke my C6 vertebrae, and I was paralysed.\u2019<\/p>\n

What followed could have been a story of loss. Instead, it became one of resilience.<\/p>\n

Fatherhood at the centre<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Mark Whittington. Photo: Perfect Wedding NYC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Today, those shared experiences live on through memories that still surface during family gatherings. \u2018They\u2019ll say, \u2018Remember when we did this?\u2019 or \u2018Remember when we did that?\u2019 And that makes me happy,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n

\u2018Those memories are special.\u2019 Becoming a grandfather has added a new layer of meaning to his life. \u2018Being a grandfather is even better. She\u2019s absolutely beautiful,\u2019 he says with a smile. Family remains at the centre of everything he does. Weekly dinners are a nonnegotiable tradition. \u2018Every Wednesday, everyone comes together. We make sure the whole family is here – our daughters, granddaughter – everyone,\u2019 he explains.<\/p>\n

Weekends are often spent together, too, reinforcing their close bond. \u2018Family is my everything,\u2019 he adds. Mark\u2019s commitment to his children extended beyond time spent together – he built an environment designed to support them. \u2018I built this home so my kids could feel safe and bring their friends here,\u2019 he says. \u2018We wanted them around, not out in the streets.\u2019 He also helped lay the foundation for their future.<\/p>\n

Today, his daughters run a business breeding and rehoming racehorses. \u2018They\u2019ve created something incredible. I don\u2019t want them to carry my legacy – I want them to create their own,\u2019 he shares. Their work has already made a meaningful impact, giving retired racehorses new opportunities in other disciplines. \u2018They\u2019ve built their own legacy, and I\u2019m proud of that.\u2019<\/p>\n

The power of goals<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After his accident, Mark faced a new reality, but his mindset remained unchanged. \u2018I\u2019ve always had goals. That\u2019s how I\u2019ve always lived my life,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Mark Whittington. Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While still in rehabilitation, he was presented with an opportunity that reignited that drive. \u2018Someone asked me if I wanted to do the New York Marathon,\u2019 he recalls. \u2018That\u2019s the kind of thing that makes my head right.\u2019<\/p>\n

He went on to complete two New York Marathons – an extraordinary achievement under any circumstances. \u2018It\u2019s easy to sit at home and complain. But setting goals gives you something to work towards.\u2019 For Mark, this principle applies to everyone. \u2018If you don\u2019t have goals, whether financial, physical or emotional, you\u2019re not moving forward. You\u2019re just standing still,\u2019 he shares.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

This was no ordinary swim. It required 18 months of preparation. Unlike other swimmers, he faced additional challenges.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u2018It was surreal. The fear of hypothermia, the conditions, it was intense, but having my wife there supporting me made it incredible,\u2019 he adds.<\/p>\n

Strength through support<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When asked how he stays positive, Mark pauses. \u2018I don\u2019t know how I stay positive. I just do what I need to do.\u2019 What he does know is that he is not doing it alone.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Mark Whittington. Photo: Perfect Wedding NYC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018My support structure is everything- my wife, my kids, my parents, my friends,\u2019 he says. His wife, who married him after his accident, plays a central role in his journey.<\/p>\n

\u2018She\u2019s supported me in everything,\u2019 he says. He also finds purpose in sharing his story with others. \u2018If I can help one person, then it\u2019s worth it,\u2019 he says. \u2018If someone sees me and thinks, \u2018If he can do it, so can I,\u2019 then that motivates me.\u2019<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

In a world he feels has lost some of its moral direction, he believes parents must take responsibility for teaching respect, discipline and integrity.<\/p>\n

A legacy of love and action<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Mark Whittington. Photo: Perfect Wedding NYC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Photographs: PERFECT WEDDING NYC. Text: DESNAY PETERSON<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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. 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