Running keeps La Lucia car guard on the right track
The 50-year-old, who started running after listening to a motivational speaker, says it is never too late to learn new things.
RUNNING was not always an interest of Cedrick Zondi’s – it was only over a year ago that he took a liking to the sport after listening to a motivational speaker on the radio.
Also read: Durban North organisation empowers youth to be agents of change
If you’re wondering who Zondi is – he is the friendly and cheerful car guard stationed outside La Lucia Library from Monday to Friday, come rain or sunshine.
He told Northglen News about his 30km run from Bambayi to La Lucia every morning, how his life has changed since he started running and of his hopes to be trained and mentored by an experienced coach so he can enter marathons in the future.
“Life was not always easy for me. After losing my mom in 2018, I moved to her home in Bambayi, and that’s when I decided to change my life for the better. I put my past behind me and looked to the future. I heard a motivational speaker talk about fitness and running and decided that I would give it a try to keep busy and healthy,” he said.
Zondi ran every day, but it was only in January 2023 that he decided that he would like to, one day, join a running club and then enter marathons. So he wakes up every morning and has a cold bath to wake him and keep him alert before embarking on his 30km run from Bambayi to La Lucia. It takes him an hour and a half to complete the distance.
“I am now 50 years old, but it’s never too late to learn something new or try something you’ve never done before. It gets my blood pumping in the morning, and when I get to work, I am ready to tackle the day with a clear mind,” he added.
Zondi said that once he started running, he didn’t want to stop, and his worn-out size 11 sneakers are proof of that. Running, he says, helped him focus and build a better future for himself.
“I have a steady job and a roof over my head, so I am now ready to – and eager to – devote more time to running. My next step is to find someone who can help me join a club and share their knowledge with me. I know I will get there,” he added.
For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook, X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
