Thembisa couple brings home Comrades glory

Thembisa couple Nobuhle Tshuma and Givemore Mudzinganyama brought home Comrades Marathon glory on June 9 for finishing in the top 10.

Nobuhle (31) finished fifth overall in the women’s race, while Givemore placed 10th in the men’s race.

Nobuhle was born in Zimbabwe but grew up in Thembisa.

he began developing her running career in 2012 as a hobby to lose weight but fell in love with the sport, and dreamt of participating in major marathons.

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Nobuhle said Donald Mathipa, the founder of the Thembisa Mile, and the late Action Ramaboe, the founder of the Thembisa Street Mile, were her mentors.

“Both have played key roles in shaping my career and mindset.”

In 2019 Nobuhle competed in her first marathon in Mosselbay and finished in first place. Her win was all the motivation she needed to stay in the game.

This year was Nobuhle and Givemore’s first Comrades Marathon and while Nobuhle was confident she would finish in the top 10, Givemore was not as confident and his finish came as a surprise.

The couple currently trains in Maokeng and started preparing for the marathon last year, running from Thembisa to Midrand every morning.

The duo also trains at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg under the supervision of internationally acclaimed runner Hendrick Ramaala.

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Nobuhle said she is always excited to work with her husband.

“It is always very interesting and exciting to be doing marathons with my partner.

“As partners, we stay together and we train together.

“We have the same goals and we do the same sport.

“As a person, you must have a person who can help you so that you can help others.

“During the run, I faced many difficulties including cramps.

“I struggled with climbing the mountain, but I pushed, I never gave up, and I fought until the end.

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“When I saw the finishing line I saw my colleagues and boss there with my husband. It felt as though I had been part of something historical.”

Nobuhle ran the marathon in six hours.

“It was not child’s play. Men usually beat the six-hour time, but for a woman, it is a great achievement, and it means a lot to me.

“It was a great feeling to learn that Thembisans watched me run.

“I received so many messages from the community and it warmed my heart,” she said.

“People know that I train and run with my husband, but for them to react so positively to my achievement meant the world to me.”

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She said the recognition from her community gave her great joy.

“It showed me that we are doing something right. For a person who comes from a village to run against the top athletes around was memorable.”

Nobuhle thanked her sponsors, colleagues, supporters, husband, children and family for being her pillar of strength during the preparations and the actual run.

“I want my children to draw inspiration from my achievements.”