Three Thembisa SAPS members formed part of the 356 members of the SAPS nationwide to compete in this year’s Comrades Marathon.
The run was from Durban City Hall to Pietermaritzburg.
All three Thembisa SAPS members began running with one common goal: to reduce weight because the job itself demands a healthy, fit and patriotic person.
Sergeant Johannes Manaka (45), working in Thembisa Sector Teams, noticed he was gaining weight in 2013.
He decided to start running half-marathons.
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“Having watched Bongumusa Mthembu make it to victory, I felt I could also make it to the Comrades Marathon.”
He ran his first Comrades Marathon in 2016.
Manaka has made it to the finishing line well before the cut-off time in all seven attempts. He has won a bronze medal and six Vic Clapman medals.
Sergeant Ntambudzeni Fungisani, a mother of three, started her journey to fitness as a court orderly.
“Dealing with all kinds of suspects in Thembisa Magistrate’s Court, which is also serving five of the Ekurhuleni North Zone 1 stations, is not an easy task.
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“One needs to be always vigilant, fit, protecting fellow colleagues, community members and preventing escaping from lawful custody.”
She started her journey by lifting weights, which she said did not last as she injured herself.
“My doctor advised me to discontinue but rather find another means of keeping fit.”
Hitting the road was never an option, but as she started the journey, she didn’t look back.
She then decided to run in the Ultimate Human Race, where she finished just before the cut-off time.
“I will run the Comrades Marathon annually, striving for the betterment on each attempt if not a win,” said Fungisani.
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Constable Lufuno Netshitangani is a young aspiring police official who is a fan of fitness. His job as a Sector Team member in Thembisa SAPS inspires him.
He has been playing soccer to maintain his fitness.
He joined the Gauteng SAPS Running Club and competed in the Two Oceans Marathon before taking the big step to enter the Comrades Marathon.
“Though I made it to the finishing line, I have now set a higher target for the coming year. I foresee myself doing even much better next year,” said Netshitangani.
The Thembisa station commander Brigadier Cyril Nkuna welcomed the three members of his station as heroes.
“You have represented the station with pride. I dare you to preach this gospel of fitness to other fellow colleagues.
“Thembisa is a big station that needs every member to be always fit, vigilant, and always in a ready condition due to the number of the population you are serving. I give you my blessings and wish to see you bringing that stake home.”
