Gerda and Mdu inspiring exciting athletics talent at Phantane Athletics Club in Durban

Ten years ago, Mduduzi Vura Khumalo felt something was missing in his life.  Today he is a man with a mission, fulfilled as never before and excited by the success of his venture – the establishment of Phantane Athletics Club, which promises to make waves at the 2023 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon.

Overweight and past forty, Khumalo – known to all as Mdu – felt his health and fitness were not optimal.  He started running to trim down.  Soon he was enjoying increased energy that came with a stronger body, but still he wasn’t satisfied.

Running alone was good, but being a people-person, he needed running mates to share his new passion.  He decided to start an athletics club to get more members of the community active and give them a message of hope through running.

“I think my interest and passion is in athletics and I’ve achieved some of my initial goals in starting the club,” Khumalo confided. “But deep inside I still have a feeling that I have unfinished business. There is still work to be done!”

Today more than seventy athletes have joined Phantane, ranging in age from seven to seventy and Khumalo is able to commit time to a related passion – developing grassroots talent in athletics.

Based in Avoca Hills, north of Durban, the club uses the University of KwaZulu Natal track to provide coaching and training for their athletes. These high-energy sessions act like a magnet, pulling in many on the periphery to join the sessions and enjoy an hour of Khumalo’s time.

Khumalo is a well-above-average club-runner with a marathon best of 2 hrs 38 min and sub-7-hour Comrades Marathons (for both the up and down runs) to his credit. But it is as a mentor and coach where Khumalo has found his niche.

“We have emphasised the importance of track, cross-country and short-distance road races at the club,” explained Khumalo. “And we have unearthed talented athletes such as Mbuleli Mathanga (last year’s national 10 000m champion who has already represented South Africa in track and field and cross country and who will be a leading contender in Sunday’s Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon) and Nwabisa Mjoli (one of South Africa’s most promising female middle-distance athletes).”

And while not yet household names in the sport, the likes of Phantane’s Sanele Dladla, Kitty Ribbink, Scelo Mhhwanazi, Siphiwe Mtolo and Fezile Thango all made off with rich medal hauls in the recent KZN Junior Track and Field Championships and under the guidance of Khumalo look set to join Mthanga and Mjoli as the club’s highest achievers.

While maintaining the ‘short and fast’ base, the distinctive green and gold colour of the designer Phantane running kit has increasingly been in evidence in high-profile marathons and ultra-marathons, most notably when Sboniso Sikhakhane raced to a superb third position in last year’s Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon.

A few months later Solly Manduwa and Nkululeko Ngubane, an ultra-marathon novice, featured prominently amongst the leaders at the Comrades Marathon, with Manduwa clinching gold with 8^th position in 5:46:03 and the Bulwer-based Ngubane clocking a solid 6:02 for 23^rd position.

Khumalo is fiercely loyal to his province and believes more needs to be done to support athletes from KwaZulu Natal to prevent them from seeking greener pastures elsewhere.  Sikhakhane has recently joined Johannesburg club, Entsika.

“Often our best athletes feel they have to relocate to other provinces to get the support they require,” said Khumalo. “The same athletes go on to win national titles.

“When athletes see athletes like Mbuleli excelling at international level while training at the coast, they’ll be keen to stay.  I believe we have the talent in KZN. One of my aims is to grow the club and provide a strong base for athletes to remain in Durban and succeed at the highest level.  

“And Totalsports are helping us to do that – it’s a great partnership!  They have really helped us – big time. With kit, all-round gear, travel to events including flights and accommodation and more. We are so grateful.”

Gerda Steyn’s decision to join Phantane this year offset Sikhakhane’s loss and represents a major step forward for Phantane. “The reason the club attracted Gerda was because of its structure and emphasis on developing young athletes,” said Khumalo. “Her inclusion in the club will really inspire our athletes.

“Many of these athletes come from rural KZN and were used to walking many kilometres to school or training. They lived healthy lifestyles which laid the foundation for becoming strong athletes. But now they are becoming tempted by fast foods and other distractions which might not prove helpful.

“Gerda can help them to manage themselves and behave as professionals,” Khumalo enthused. “You can see how professional she is and she knows how engage with people along the way. I’m hoping she will inspire our women athletes, in particular.

“Nwabisa Mjoli is one of our athletes who’s done very well, but she’s got to a point where it’s more difficult to improve her times. Gerda’s input can make all the difference to an athlete of that potential.”

Steyn herself is looking forward to defending her title at Two Oceans on Saturday and giving her all to improve the record she set last year. And she is thrilled to be doing it in the colours of Phantane.

“The green and gold club colours always stand out for me, especially with the Phantane and Totalsports logos. And Phantane, Totalsports and adidas are working closely together to make sure that my kit will be on point!

“It’s very exciting for me to be part of Phantane,” said Steyn. “They are an amazing club.  Not large in numbers but the work they are doing is fabulous and I’m very proud to be part of the team.

“They are focused on developing athletes from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and helping them to reach their highest potential. They’ve had many successes and I’m looking to be a positive influence at the club in all the ways I can possibly be.

“I’m still getting to know the athletes, but it’s very exciting. I know Nwabisa has already shown potential and I’m looking forward to seeing her develop fully as an athlete.

“I don’t want to change what they’re doing in any way, just want to add anything I can to help them to attract more sponsors and athletes to the club. And to share the knowledge I’ve gained through the years. Often everything is uncertain when you start off in running and it helps to have someone in your corner to help you.”

Steyn will undoubtedly prove Phantane’s biggest calling card at the Oceans this weekend, and is strong favourite to defend her title, especially in the injury-enforced absence of Irvette van Zyl. “It’s very unfortunate she can’t run this year,” reflected Steyn. “I enjoy racing against her as it helps me to perform at a higher level.  

“But I don’t focus on other athletes as I prepare – I concentrate on myself and giving the best performance I possibly can. I’m sure Irvette will recover soon and be back for more Two Oceans action next year!”

Apart from Steyn, Khumalo believes one or two of his other charges will also feature prominently in the Oceans. “Nkululeko Ngubane is hoping for his big break in the Two Oceans. He might be a novice but he has got potential to be a future star over the distance. And of course, Mbuleli (Mathanga) will challenge for a podium place in the Half Marathon and hope to improve on his fourth position last year.”