On the streets, Marosi Johannes Mosehla, the 83-year-old who set a new record as the oldest man to complete the Comrades Marathon, is greeted and celebrated by many, but deep down his heart, the Limpopo-based old timer is a heartbroken and dejected man.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday World, Mosehla, who resides at Ga-Mogashoa village outside Jane Furse in Sekhukhune District’s Makhuduthamaga Municipality, Limpopo, said he is disappointed by the organisers of the marathon for not honouring his efforts.
“In 2019, I ran and finished the race as the oldest man at the age of 77. I was so excited when I was called to ascend the podium after my feat, but only to be disappointed when my achievement was only recognised and applauded verbally without being given anything.
“I, however, consoled myself by the fact that the Comrades Marathon did not have any prize for the +70 years category then,” said Mosehla.
Mosehla, a father of 15 (seven boys and eight girls) from three wives, two of whom are late, told Sunday World that his biggest disappointment in the race was in 2023 when he broke Wally Hayward’s 34-year-old record after he finished the race at the age of 81. Hayward set the record after he completed the race in 1988 at the age of 80.
“Breaking Hayward’s record was the biggest achievement of my life, and the memories of that day when I received resounding applause from the roaring crowds still echo in my mind.
“However, my excitement ended in tears. To me, it felt like my effort was useless because my recognition as the new record holder was just verbal with nothing to show.
“This year I suffered the same treatment after breaking my record as I completed the race at the age of 83 in a record time of 11:47:27,” pointed out Mosehla, who now survives on his pensioner’s monthly grant.
As a young boy his parents believed in farming as the only way for a better future as opposed to education.
“The pint-size ultra-marathon runner found himself starting his primary education at a very late age when he was 18 in 1960 at Makgane Primary School at Ga-Ratau village, 12km from his village.
“It wasn’t easy to convince my parents to send me to school as they wanted me to continue as a cattle herder, Also, the school was very far, which meant I had to walk 24km to and from.
“To please my father, I would first lead the cattle to the grazing place for half a day, then start my lessons after midday as that was allowed due to fewer classrooms,” recalled Mosehla, who completed his Form 1 (now Grade 8).
“After receiving my Form 1 certificate, I wanted to go and study to be a motor mechanic, but our principal decided against that due to my age because I needed more years to complete a Junior Certificate (Form 3) plus another three years to complete the motor mechanic course, which was going to be six years,” said Mosehla, who then went on a bricklaying course at Madikoti Technical College.
In the end, he became a professional bricklayer and was ultimately awarded several contracts to build properties until his retirement in 1990 and then focused on building individual houses until 2024.
Mosehla completed his matric certificate (Grade 12) in 2006 via adult basic education.
He realised his potential as an athlete in 1963 when he was running for his primary school; however, his star started to shine after encouragement from his sports teacher, whom he only remembers as Makhafola.
“Under the guidance and mentorship of Makhafola, I won my first race in 1967 and became Sekhukhune district champion, but unfortunately, there were no provincial championships.
“My star continued to shine when I went on to win several school competitions from 1970 through mid-70s in the 1 500m and 5 000m distances, which I would finish in 13 minutes, a record time to qualify for the Olympic Games – but South Africans were restricted to enter due to apartheid,” said Mosehla, who made his first appearance at the Comrades at the age of 63, back in 2003.
Apart from winning competitions for the schools, Mosehla has also won a number of other races, among them cross country and track races such as the 42km Forever Resort Marathon, Phalaborwa Phosphate Marathon and more, running under the Polokwane Athletic Club, which he joined in 1983 and is still a member of.
Mosehla, who used to fund his secondary fees through his small business as a fruits and vegetables seller, wishes to help aspiring young athletes in his area, but a lack of support by the government and business people has made things difficult.
He briefly gave up athletics in 1983 when he experienced life challenges.
“In 1983, I was facing some family problems and also had so many work challenges.
“I decided to give up on everything and went to stay at the St Engenas’ ZCC in Moria until 1993 when I returned to my normal life, and ultimately returned to athletics after 10 years of absence,” said Mosehla, who boasts five Comrades Marathon appearances.
Mosehla said he will keep on entering the marathon up to the age of 92, or as long as his legs can still carry him.
At the time Sunday World was wrapping this interview, a driver from the Mkhuduthamaga Municipality was there to pick him up to meet the mayor.
