Mlungisi Radebe Madlingozi all smiles during his regular Saturday morning run.
His tall, athletic frame is hard to miss. One can easily spot his lanky figure a mile away, dressed in the familiar green and white Celtic Harriers running stripes, towering above fellow runners as they make their way down Steve Biko Street, following a 7am start from the Gugulethu 7 Memorial at NY 121, on Saturday.
Avid runner Mlungisi Radebe Madlingozi, 70, from Gugulethu, is gearing up to take part in his 15th Two Oceans Marathon next year.
The former Western Province athletics coach traded his rugby boots for running shoes two decades ago.
He turned 70 last Tuesday, November 3. Although delighted to have a small mid-week celebration in the form of a specially made birthday cake and other delicacies, the thing he looked forward to most, was his regular Saturday morning run with friends.
Saturday’s slightly overcast weather conditions and the showers of blessings that came along with it, did not dampen Madlingozi’s spirit.
Always happy to be out running, Madlingozi and a few health-conscious community members, including Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mcebisi Skwatsha hit the road at a comfortable pace.
The runners hope to inspire others to follow suit. For Madlingozi, running really is a way of life.
“I always start preparing eight months in advance for big races,” he said.
“I’m in the mountains every week training for the Two Oceans. You must leverage 70km per week mileage training.
“In February, I train 90km to 120km a week. That
time you become thin and boney, meaning you are ready psychologically for 56km for the Two Oceans,” he said.
This, apparently, was inspired by former rugby coach and principal at Vuyani Primary School, the late RK Qengwa.
“My plans were slowed down due to Covid-19. I will no longer feature in the Sanlam Cape Town International Race, except for the Two Oceans. Much of my time will be working for the Lord Jesus Christ full time,” he said.
Madlingozi was the head prefect and captain at Healdtown Institution’s invincible rugby team in 1970. He was the vice captain for Olympic Rugby Club from 1973 to 1979.
From 1973, Madlingozi furthered his studies at Lovedale Teachers College in the Eastern Cape. Also, in 1978 and 1979, the legendary Madlingozi was the Western Province Rugby Board captain, before he became the athletics coach at ID Mkhize Senior Secondary School in Gugulethu.
Madlingozi coached the school to win a clean sweep in all divisions during an athletics tournament in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, in 1979. They won convincingly, bringing the overall athletics trophy to Cape Town.
He then left the school to rewrite his matric exam.
This was followed by a business economics, and accounting qualification from St Francis Adult College.
He then obtained an accounting and mercantile law qualification from Savio College, followed by an executive education with business management at the same college.
Since 2002 he has been a road runner, participating in a number of half marathons and marathons, including the 56km
Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon. Madlingozi has a blue number award, which honors runners that have run 10 or more times in the inaugural race.
Madlingozi said staying active is nothing new to him; he was inspired by role model and former Springbok rugby player Rex Gilandile.
“People must be disciplined, stay focused, must be able to listen to their coach and lastly, eat healthy. Education plays a major role in sport. And, life is beyond the border of sport,” said Madlingozi.
Former RCS Gugulethu Athletic Club chairman Thobile Ndzube also paid tribute to the veteran runner, calling him a “living legend.”
“Radie, as he is affectionately known in our society, is true embodiment of what sport heroes are, Ndzube said.
“He is a true dedicated sportsman who loves to be part of everything running. He used to make me his arch rival until he realized he can beat me,” he said.
“Right now, he is doing wonders, and I’m finding it hard to ever catch up. For his age, which is ‘just number, he is a shining example of our legends. Anything running or walking in the township he is there. May he continue to shine that light. He lost his long-time running partner in the late bra Oscar. All the best to him,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mcebisi Skwatsha said before they started their weekend walks for healthy living around Gugulethu, Madlingozi was already active.
“He is an inspiration, we can only wish to be like him. At the age of 70, I hope to have the same courage and energy. I’m not surprised, he has always been an inspiration, since our high school days.
He was a teacher at ID Mkhize High School when I studied across the street at Fezeka High School. He has always been an inspiration,” said Skwatsha.
Gugulethu resident Gwen Sitshetshe said it was encouraging to see a 70-year-old runner from the community.
Sitshetshe is an administrator at a hospital at N1 City. She said many of the elders that were 70 years old were checking in at the hospital rather than staying active.
“There are a few like him that take care of their health like he does. Many you will find at the hospital at that age. He is our inspiration in Gugulethu.
He has some injuries, but those do not deter him from keeping active and healthy,” said Sitshetshe.