Ladysmith: Sad passing of a humble and well-liked runner
His trademark infectious smile and goatee beard made him easily recognisable in the road running and educational fraternity
Ladysmith KZN – As one travels on the Besters road outside Ladysmith and crosses the national railway line, one encounters a humble homestead consisting of a home and a few huts. This is the home of the Mthembu family and the birthplace of Emnambithi Striders icon Bheki Ephraim Mthembu.
Bheki sadly passed away on Friday, September 4, of non-Covid-related natural causes.
He is survived by his parents, spouse and four children. Born on January 3, 1970, Bheki was the second eldest of seven siblings in the Mthembu family of the Besters region.
At the time of his demise, he was the principal at Middledale School in the Winterton district. He qualified as an educator from Edgewood Training College and supplemented his qualifications with postgraduate qualifications from both UNISA and UKZN.
Bheki was a member of the Emnambithi Striders Club for almost two decades.
A Comrades Marathon veteran, he completed 15 Comrades with a best time of 9:55 in the 2014 ‘down’ run. He achieved his Comrades green number (16507 ) in 2011 in an ‘up’ run.
He was a quiet, unassuming and humble person who was ever prepared to help a fellow runner. His trademark infectious smile and goatee beard made him easily recognisable in the road running and educational fraternity.
The famous white mini bakkie, so dearly a part of him, was used to transport many a runner to races throughout the province.
Bheki will be sorely missed by both the educational and running fraternity in Ladysmith.
He was laid to rest at his homestead in Besters on Friday, September 11.
“Hamba Kahle Bheki. We salute you and will miss you” – from all at Emnambithi Striders.
