Bongmusa Mthembu: KZN runners are not united

With three Comrades titles to his name, Mthembu emphasizes the fragmented nature of local runners to embrace the concept of collective training within the province. This unity, he contends, undermined their capacity to pursue a common goal and present a cohesive front in the race. The eagerly awaited 85km Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg is scheduled for Sunday at 5.30am.

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“I believe most of you are unaware of the challenges I face leading up to the Comrades. While I appreciate your acknowledgement of my participation, it seems the focus remains solely on my previous year’s placement rather than understanding the broader context. The hurdles I encounter are formidable. When discussing KZN runners, it’s evident that our counterparts from Lesotho exemplify the power of working together in achieving success conversely, in KZN, there’s a lack of unity. Despite our abundance of talent, the unfavourable conditions in which our runners operate hinder performance, resulting in poor performance. I struggle to organize other athletes for joint training sessions; only Nkosikhona Mhlakwana occasionally joins me. This isn’t about me; if we aspire to excel, collective training efforts are imperative,” he told SABC Sport.  

Mthembu is the last KZN runner to win the Comrades six years ago and believes that changes are imperative. “I believe there’s more to my main race. I acknowledged my results from last year, outside the top-10, and it’s within my power to enhance them this year,” he added.  Sikhumbuzo Seme was the highest KZN finisher in eleventh place in 2023.