NKOSIKHONA MHLAKWANA INSPIRING GENERATIONS OF RUNNERS

 Mr Pace interviews show question and Answers 

Presenter: Collen Makaza 

Guest: Nkosikhona Mhlakwana 

Date: 17 December 2021

Time: 18:00hrs to 20:30hrs

Venue: Chitungwiza Harare Zimbabwe 

Contacts: 0733741960/0776769684

Email: mrpacemakaza@gmail.com 

Good evening to you all Welcome to Mr pace shows tonight in house Mr Mhlakwana 

Welcome you Brother to our Mr Pace Show 🙏🙏

Thank you so much brother for the invite and a well warmly welcome to such a good evening in the house

*Our first question to you* 👇👇

*1.Q- Mr Nkosikhona Mhlakwana tell us, when and where were you born ?*

Hi Mr Makaza, thank you so much for hosting me for your show today. My name is Nkosikhona Mhlakwana as you have mentioned earlier. I was born on the 25th July 1993 in Howick, a town next to Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu Natal province. This is where I am still residing.

*2.Q- Do you still remember the person who helped you to start running?*

Yes, for sure I still remember him. His name is Xolani Mabhida who is my ex coach now. Before him, I was already running in school but he was the one who moulded my talent.

*3.Q- When did you start running and how it started?*

I started running in year 2005 in a school called Coppesville Primary School. By that time I was in grade 4 and we were called to run the inter houses in school. It happened that on the day I was there, and I was asked to run the 4km fun run on my team and I was against all the school grades including the grade 7 boys who were big and very school to compete with. What surprised the whole of the school community was that I became number 1 on that tough competition. Form there I never look back and then in year 2008 I met up with Xolani Mabhida to nature my talent.

*4.Q- Tell us how was your performances in athletics at primary and secondary levels?*

My performance in athletics during my primary and secondary education was so amazing as I was always the top performer in 800m and 1500m. those events were only me who is excelling on them. I have a PB of 1:51 and 3:50 for those events and my records are still standing even today. In tertiary level I really enjoyed my athletics career, I have achieved a lot during that time. And my performance in academics was also good because I were able to balance education and athletics very well. I was always on top 3 class best achievers for passing rate, that how good I was.

*5.Q- What inspires you to be an athlete?*

I am a different person to many, I am very proud Iof who I am. Myself is the one which inspired me to be an athlete. I always look into a mirror and say to myself I made a good decision when I decided that I can run. That came when I was a soccer player (Right back) I got an injury on my hand and from that day I decided that I must leave soccer because it brings more injuries for me. So, for me to be motivated I always look back to all my achievements that I have achieved since I was schooling till today. Today I am inspired and motivated by myself. The good thing is that, I now travel and be well connected with many people who are loves the sports and it so inspiring to meet and make friends with other people.

*6.Q- Can you give us the names of your training partners and how did they contribute for you performance in sport?*

Back in the days my training partners were Xolani Mabhida, Snakho Mnikathi, Sboniso Mahlaba, this training partners played a big role to a person I am today. We share our experiences in sports and in life generally. We all learnt from each other. Right now, I am training alone in Howick professionally but whenever I have to mansion my training partner will be Mr Prodigal Khumalo who happens to be my mentor, father, brother and my coach at the same time. He has come into my life when the world has turned the back on me. I met him in 2009 and from there we had a good journey of life which he have contributed to a person I am today. I am very happy to have him in my life.

Big thumbs up for Coach Khumalo aka P.K🙏🙏🙏

*7.Q- What motivated you to take running as part of your life?*

The opportunity to success does not come in all the thinking and wishes we want. God have given us many talents and its up to us what we do with those talent. So, I always got to be motivated by the things I have achieved through running and in life generally. My wife (Sthembile Radebe) has been a good motivator to me to take running as part of my life. Running has changed my life to a point where I never thought it could be especially at this age of myself. My mom also encourages me to take running as part of my life and well, I always have decided that running is me, me, I am running. Running and myself we have a very strong bond. I think you know what I mean Mr Makaza since you are one of the people who have motivated us since we watched you on TVs when you were still in your prime time. My ups and downs have also contributed very well in shaping a person I am today. I learn most of the times to keep myself motivated.

*Thank you Brother* 🙏🙏

*8.Q- Tell us your first running club , other clubs you joined and the currently club you are running for now days?*

My first running club was Speed Xplosion AC which we all formed together with Xolani and other team members. I then went to joinen clubs like DUT AC where I was doing my sport management course in year 2014 after I moved to Durban for study, I joined  Boxer AC, Phuma KZN and currently I am running for Mr Price Sport (Maxed Elite) under the management of Mr Martin Ngwenya

*9.Q- Do you ever compete or won medals in any S.A national champs?*

Yes, I have competed on SA national Championships many times  since I was young for track and field, X country and Road running and even today I still do. But to tell you, I have never had a good lucky to get or win a special medal especially for track and field championships. I have won a gold medal in University Sports Games for 3000m which that medal is the special one for me. That medal I won in year 2019 a week later after I won 56km Zululand Ultra Marathon.

*10.Q- Do you ever represents S. Africa at all Africa games or World Championships?*

I have never represented South Africa at the highest or international Championships and that is one of my biggest goal to achieve in few years come. I always believe that for me, I always representing South Africa whenever I run and that on it own is super good for me. Seeing myself wearing SA colours one day will be a real dream to come true.

*11.Q- At what age did you start professional running in your career as an athlete?*

I started running professionally when I was 21 years old after I have made my mind to graduate from Track and Field to Road running, that was in year 2014. I still remember my first professional race was Uthungulu Marathon where I ran my first Marathon 42km and I came 2nd Position to Joseph Kenyengo from Kenya. For me, that was a super kick in my running career,  I still remember I won R10 000 price money which was the biggest money I have ever won in my running by then.

*12.Q-  Who was your best coach and manager in your career as an athlete?*

My best coach is Mr Prodigal Khumalo who we are still together with him now since from the year 2009. He have made sure that my running is improving each year and I train so well to a point of not even getting injuries. He is very supportive to my career, and he always want the best for me. I call him Boet because that is how a relationship and communication is between me and him. Honestly,  he is the best coach. My manager is Mr Ross Walter, I meet him in year 2018 when I was joining Maxed Elite and he have made sure that I got everything covered as a professional athlete. He also manage my coach (Mr Prodigal)

*13.Q- What is your best shoe brand as an athlete?*

Hahahahahaha 🤣🤣🤣 Mr Makaza this one is very tricky, but to be honest with you and everybody, I must say, My best shoe brand for me is Nike shoes. I love Nike Shoes especially as they have changed running to this level its today. For me as Nkosikhona Mhlakwana who is running for Maxed the shoes that I am using are Maxed shoes since they are the main sponsor for my running career.

*14.Q- What was your best meals before and after the race?*

Mr Makaza you wont believe. I love eating Banana and bread before my race and after. I am not a person who loves to diet or eat healthy as they normally say. I eat the way I grew up and I am very proud of the way I eat. Normally I eat in every 1 to 2 hours of the day. Even at 12am at night after my studies you will find me eating, which is very strange for others 🤣🤣🤣😀😀

*15.Q- What's your best times in the following distance from: 5000m 10km, 21km, 42km, 

56km and 89km comrades marathon?*

For my 5000m I have personal best time of 14:18.20 , in 10000m I have 29:33 and for 10km I have 30.03. For my 21km I have a personal best time of 65.10 and my 42km personal best is 2h16min and my 50km I have 2h47 and  my 56km I have 3h33 from Nongoma Marathon 2019 and my 89km I have 5h53 which was achieved in my first comrade 11th place finisher in 2019.

Good times posted there my brother 👏👏👏

*16.Q- What is your best and worst race in your career as an athlete?*

My best and worst race is my 11th finishing position for my first Comrade Marathon attempt in year 2019. I love the fact that I came 11th position in my first comrade, and this has resulted very positively in my running career. I always wish to run my second comrade and see how I will do. My second best and worst race is Nedbank 50km World Record attempt 2021, I was very fit and ready to compete for that race and it happened that on the day, I came 11th position which only brought the tears in my eyes when I thought of my 11th position in comrade 2019. For me it was a good race which I gave it all on the day but was not my day. I was happy for the time I ran there 2h47 for 50km.The best race I have ran this year in Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi 50km which I won and walk away with a big money. For me, that was a super motivating for my running career considering the class and the field which was there on the day.

But above all, I am super happy of my personal best time of 2h16 for 42km distance I achieved this year in Capetown Marathon as a Comrade Marathon runner.

*17. Can you name your best road race of all time and why?*

My best road race of all time is Zululand Ultra Marathon 56km in year 2019. I was so happy to won that race after my coach Prodigal Khumalo won the same race in year 2018. That was a special moment for me to taste the winning from my coach. And still now, I am the previous winner. In year 2017 I won Heroes Marathon which were having a very strong field and I won that race, it's very special to me. I also won Deloitte Marathon 3 times and that race I am the record holder of it till today since it came back. With above mentioned races I have able to set up my life the way it should and I am proud of what I have done with all the winnings I got from the above races

*18.Q- What setbacks have you encountered in your career as an athlete?*

The biggest setback I have face in my running career was when I got the injury in my left knee  back in year 2015. I almost gave up in running because of that injury. I kept the positive mind above all and we rested for many months with no running and regained myself till today. My coach Prodigal made sure that I have a strong come back.

*19.Q- During this lockdowns and Covid erra how did you manage to keep focused and fit?*

The Lock Down Erra, what a difficult time we all faced in the world because of Covid-19 pandemic. Those were very challenging time for us runners. We did not even get a chance to run anymore. It was like the end of our running career. I kept myself focused by reading books in my home, playing and having enough time for my family. It was a difficult time, but I managed to go through. I used to wake up by 3am while is dark in the morning to run and do my trainings because I did not able to run inside my yard. It was difficult and I was scared of picking up the injuries.

*20.Q- Your words on age cheating, drug use in  sport and corrupt officials.*

Age cheating is not a good thing in sports. I grew up running with athletes who cheated on us and that was very wrong because there are some medals or winnings those guys took from me but don’t really deserve it.  Today I still run, and I am still going to be running for many years to come because I never cheated, and I run according to my age. So those guys who cheated are no longer running today because they never understand that they must run according to their age and want to do not cheat. Drugs use in sports is a very problematic issue that kills our running. We see many young talents man and woman being banned for many years because of drug use which is wrong. Athletes need to train hard and do their best not to use drugs for boosting their performances. I always says ‘ if you think drug use is the option’ you do not belong in in sports. Sports is for people who run clean and always leaving a true life of not cheating.  Corrupt officials are one who turn our sports into something that we don’t know. Those who are corrupts, they must be punished and not allowed to come close to our sport of running. We don’t need officials that are corrupts.

*21.Q- What do you think should be done to improve athletics in Province and National level?*

It always challenging for provincial and national federation to take athletics to the level we want as runners. In this federations there are many politics and self-gains which are done by individuals. So, sports (athletics) and politics has never and will never be working as a hand and glove. Provinces must have a proper structures that are made to improve athletics and make sure that national levels federation do not struggle to produce quality results for the nation. E.g., having people who have participated and did very well in athletics during their competitions years and put them in provincial structures will boost and help in improving the athletics in both provincial and national level. More, presidents of both national and provincial must be able to attract good sponsors who will boost and sponsor athletics programmes that will improves athletics within the federations.

*22.Q- What's your future plans in sport?*

My future plan in sports is to give back to the community where I come from. I wish to have a programme where I will teach young upcoming stars about the importance of education and sports. I always believe that most of the young stars must be taught about education and sports at the young age. I want to see myself producing more young stars who are excelling in sports and in education. This will be something that will change their lives for the good. Sports on it own is not good, its so very good to have an education background which will assist you when one day you happen to pick up an injury.

*23.Q- Your words of encouragement and motivation  to the upcoming athletes?*

I always says, the word ‘EASY’ has never existed on my journey of life, Hard work is my favourite and happiness. Today I am a proud qualified teacher and by the way today (17/12/2021) I received my Degree Completed for Honours Degree in Education Leadership, Management and Policy. So, this comes with all my hard working and I am not surprise because I know the effort and an amount of time I put for all of this achievements. I also run professionally and it not easy to study and run to this level I am running but with the focus everything is possible. Athlets need to understand that, they must grab everything coming on their ways.

*Congratulations My Brother* 👏👏

*24. What are your last words to the viewers on Mr Pace Show?*

What I can say to the viewers of Mr Pace Show is that,  they must always show support and appreciating the work done by you legendary Mr Makaza for interviewing and bring the inside of the athletes in all the corners of our continent of Africa. They are so very lucky to have someone who loves them this much, organizing such beautiful shows is not a walk in the park, but it requires love, dedication, and passion. They are the best viewers and they are doing a great work in supporting the show each and every time.

*25.Q- In brief tell us about your family and their support to your profession as sports person?*

My family is the best family when it comes to the support, they give it all for  my running profession. They go with me in rainy and sunny days to make sure that I train and achieve what I believe I can achieve.  My family is made up of mom, two brothers and two sisters. My father passed away in year 2009.  I have a wife and one child who his name is Sthembinkosi, a next champion in the family who always want me to go for training so he can come and run with me for my warm ups and cool downs 😎

*Open to you all members, any questions from our followers*

Great interview indeed, was good to see you at Inanda dam training run yesterday Nkosikhona,  you are in awesome shape. We are looking forward to seeing you at Comrades..l do believe your 2h16 at Cape town marathon will serve you well at Comrades. All the best .impossible is nothing if you do your training diligently as you are doing. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Keep up the good work Nkosikhona Caster Mhlakwana ✊ all the best 2022 comrades marathon

*Thank you Mr Nkosikhona Mhlakwana for sharing  your motivational and inspiring story about your running career as an athlete and thanks to all the participants*🙏🙏

Thankyou Sir   Collen Makaza. for introducing this INSPIRING platform, for being such a great host.

THE END 

FINITO