By Dikeledi Ntsollane
Welkom-born athlete Nconde Matwebu has been crowned South Africa’s new half-marathon champion after a brilliant performance at the national championships held at Pollock Beach in Gqeberha on 27 June. Matwebu impressively claimed the national 21.1km title, crossing the finish line in a personal best of 1:01:57.
His victory made him the first South African athlete home and secured the national championship title. His athletics journey began while he was a learner at Setshabelo Primary School.
He later attended Riebeeckstad High School, where his talent flourished and he became widely recognised for his achievements on the track and road. During his school years, Nconde won several South African titles and represented the country on numerous occasions.
After completing high school, he joined Phantane Athletics Club in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, where he continued to develop as a competitive athlete. His recent victory has also earned him qualification to represent South Africa in Denmark on 20 September.
Speaking about his achievement, Nconde said he felt well prepared and confident ahead of the race and was not surprised by his performance on the day. The championship attracted some of the strongest runners from across South Africa and beyond, making Nconde’s achievement even more significant, and competing against world-class athletes and emerging as the country’s top finisher highlights his resilience, discipline and competitive spirit.
His success has become a source of pride for his supporters, his hometown, and the broader athletics community. The national title is a reward for years of hard work, sacrifice, and determination.
As South Africa’s new half-marathon champion, Nconde has demonstrated that dedication and perseverance can produce extraordinary results. His national title and personal-best performance mark important milestones in his career, and many will be watching with anticipation as he continues to raise the bar in South African athletics.
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