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13 September 2022 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Supplied
Molemo Mohapi
Molemo Mohapi, Chief Officer at ICT services with his 2022 Comrades Marathon participatory medal.

The end seemed certain for his participation in sport when Molemo Mohapi, Chief Officer: ICT Services and 2022 Comrades Marathon medallist, broke his leg playing in the University of the Free State (UFS) Division for Organisational Development and Employee Well-being’s annual 7-A-Side Soccer Festival in 2012. 

Believing that he may never play sport again, Molemo thanks Arina Engelbrecht, UFS Employee Well-being Specialist for asking, ‘who said you cannot participate in sport anymore?’ Molemo said: “Arina advised me to treat my leg, get help from a physiotherapist, and then it took me nine years to participate in the Comrades Marathon.”

Even though Molemo had never been involved in athletics before the injury, adopting and adjusting to running was not a challenge, as he started walking up and down Naval Hill to ‘gain confidence and passion.’

Molemo, who has never been ‘worried about age’, also thanks his brother who was into athletics for watching races with him; after watching a race, he wanted to emulate the international runners. His favourite athlete is the American 1992 Olympic two-time gold medallist, Quincy Watts.  

Scared but pushed by desire and willingness

Molemo said: “I was scared to do the marathons, but gradually I started participating in 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km races. To condition and get myself ready for the 2020 Comrades Marathon, I participated in the KFC PE City Marathon, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, and the Soweto Marathon. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Comrades was cancelled.”

Faced with disappointment following the cancellation of the 2020 Comrades Marathon, Molemo and his two friends – Ben Kokela and Disema Ntsasa – focused on the 2022 Kloppers Marathon, helping them to qualify for the Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon. 

Molemo said: “We had to adjust and told ourselves that as soon as it was open again, we would start training. During COVID-19, I did not rest as I was running in the backyard, doing 30-40 minutes every Monday to Wednesday. Family support is key, one also needs to do justice to your body, prepare mentally for the race, and not compete with athletes who are doing it for money.”

“Never doubt yourself; after running the 56 km Two Oceans Marathon, I told myself – I am now left with 34 km to complete the Comrades. I just worked on that, and the confidence was high. I was more relaxed than scared.”

Completing the marathon in less than 11 hours and 24 minutes, Molemo thanks Durban people for their support, as they ‘make you feel part of the family.’ 

Molemo said: “What I learnt from the race is consistency in women – if they plan to run seven minutes per km, that is exactly what they do.”

He thanks his wife, Neo Rantsane, for encouraging and supporting him to run the marathon.

News Archive

Physics researchers at the UFS receive awards from the NSTF
2009-05-28

 
 Dr Martin Ntwaeaborwa and Prof. Hendrik Swart from the Department of Physics at the University of the Free State.
Yesterday evening two researchers from the Department of Physics at the University of the Free State (UFS) received prestigious awards from the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) during its eleventh gala-award ceremony. The event was held at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.

Prof. Hendrik Swart, Head of the Department of Physics, was the recipient of the award for research capacity development over the last five to ten years. He received the award for his significant contribution towards the development of students in niche areas of nanophysics. The award, sponsored by Eskom, includes a prize of R100 000 which will be used for research purposes.

Prof. Swart is actively involved in the research of phosphor material, concentrating on the effectiveness of nanophosphor.

Dr Martin Ntwaeaborwa, senior lecturer in the Department of Physics was the recipient of the T.W. Kambule National Research Foundation (NRF) award in Category J as distinguished young black male researcher over the last two to five years. He received the award for his contribution to the understanding and harnessing of light emitting nanomaterials for application in light emitting devices. The awarded includes R100 000 prize money towards Dr Ntwaeaborwa’s research.

Dr Ntwaeaborwa is an expert in luminescent nanomaterials.

A first-year student of Dr Ntwaeaborwa, Thabo Ngobeni also received a Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) bursary at the gala event.

The NSTF awards give recognition to the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups to science, engineering and technology. This includes all practicing scientists, engineers and technologists across the system of innovation, including, for example, teachers and students in mathematics, science and technology. The NSTF represents government, science councils, professional bodies, higher education, business and civil society.

Altogether 13 individuals and corporate organisations or institutions were presented with the NSTF Awards trophy by the Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za  
27 May 2009

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