From Bulwer to history books
Belief, ‘uphuthu’ ensure Comrades up-run success
The white rosary dangling around his neck has become as popular as his exploits on the marathon route.
This is what catches the eye each time the cameras zoom in on Bong’musa Mthembu, who ran away with the Comrades Marathon up-run title yesterday.
For Mthembu, the neckpiece is not necessarily a lucky charm. He previously told me it is a significant symbol for being a devoted Catholic.
The values are clearly instilled in his son Sisanda – also spotting a white rosary – who he embraced with a bear hug at the finish line yesterday.
Although he grew up a few kilometres from where he breasted the tape in 5:35:34 yesterday, Mthembu never really imagined making a living out of running.
“For a person like myself who grew up in a rural environment, I aspired to be a teacher,” he once told me.
He is the fourth child in a family of seven children, four boys and three girls.
Mthembu matriculated in 2002 but could not afford tertiary education. He later took up running full-time.
Mthembu, who turns 34 on June 27, once again endeared himself to the country and his home province of KwaZuluNatal, with a feat reminiscent of his triumph in the down-run three years ago.
He hails from Bulwer, a small town outside Pietermaritzburg in the KZN Midlands.
He has risen from being a near-winner a few years ago to a champion. His second-place finish at the World 100km Championships confirmed his qualities as an ultra-race star.
He debuted in the Comrades as a 22-year-old in 2006 and represented Nedbank Running Club. He ran in Arthur Ford colours yesterday.
His pre-race meal is interesting: uphuthu, baby potatoes and chicken. But his determination is what defines his race.
Willie Mtolo, a former New York Marathon champion who had a hand in the development of Mthembu, once told Sowetan that the secret in his former charge’s game was Mthembu’s belief that he could win a race the moment he laces up his running shoes. And now he’s done it twice in three years!