Khayelitsha steeplechase prodigy sets new Western Cape record

Fuad Esack

Luthabo Mpongwana, 19,  a Grade 12 pupil at Uxolo High School, was among the star performers at Saturday’s Western Cape high schools track and field championships, crossing the finish line first in the boys’ under-19 3 000m steeplechase.

The star steeplechaser finished in 9min17sec to establish a new provincial record, shaving off three seconds from the previous record which stood at 9min20sec.He was originally with VOB, before joining Langa Athletics Club, where he met Graham Meyer, a military man and former runner-turned-coach.

Meyer has been coaching part-time for the past 17 years, mainly working with juniors across the city. Meyer believes Luthabo has was it takes to become a wold-class athlete.“He got good technical skills, speed, endurance and the ability to jump,” said Meyer.Meyer, who specialises in middle distance, 5 000m, 3 000m and 400m runs, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying:” My role is to see how I can improve and develop young athletes like Luthabo. All I expect from them is to work hard, concentrate and to be disciplined. The results will follow.”

The eldest of two children, Luthabo says he spends much of his time training at Mandela Park Stadium, as it’s closest to his home in Makhaza, in Khayelitsha.Training, he says, consists mainly of speed, endurance and hill work, vital for steeplechase success. With distances of 5 000m and 1 500m under his belt, the young runner has taken to steeplechase with relative ease since switching to the obstacle race in 2024.

Not only that, he’s now the Western Cape champion and new record-holder in his division. Those familiar with steeplechase will tell you it’s an extremely challenging event, one that requires extensive practice for certain technical aspects, particularly the water jump – a key hurdle that demands physical and mental strength. One thing is certain, the race gets tougher with each of the seven-and-a-half laps and a few rock-solid barriers to overcome.  

“Steeplechase is not easy when starting out, but the main thing is not to panic,” said Luthabo. “What makes the water jump particularly challenging,” he says, “is that the pit has an upwards slope that’s deeper near the barrier, making it difficult to maintain momentum once in the clear.

”My approach is to maintain a steady pace, I like to be in the middle of the pack, then after a few laps, I go to the front,” he said. He describes the water jump as a moment where one’s breath can be cut off and pacing can falter, emphasising the need for a strong mental game: “It’s about staying focused. When I panic, I know I lose; when I stick to my pace, it’s a win,” he said.

The newly-crowned champ made it look easy in Saturday’s championship finals, with his mom, Nosibulelo Ethel Mpongwana, up in the stands, watching him cross the finish line in record-breaking fashion. 

“My dream is to see my son represent South Africa at a world championship because he narrowly missed out in cross-country last year,” she said. With the national championships coming up and the possibility of another good result, Ms Mpongwana’s wish may come true, sooner rather than later.Luthabo said all he was hoping for was a good race, but setting a new record was a bonus. “My aim was to run a personal best, but then I ended up breaking a record just like that,” he said.“Thankfully, I have strong legs and I never give up,” he said.