International gold medal for UKZN athlete
Third-year UKZN Sports Science student Snethemba Ngema earned her first ever international gold medal at the recent Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association (UCSA) Games in Malawi, where she was part of the South African University Athletics national team.
Born and raised in Montclair, Durban, Ngema took part in the 100m and 200m running events as well as being a member of the 100m SA relay team.
This was Ngema’s first call to the national team. "I feel I ran well and it was a good competition for me. I won a gold medal in the relay, which I am extremely happy about."
Ngema started running in primary school and was encouraged by her teachers to take up the sport seriously – she started professional training with a coach when she was just 14! "After I started training daily and growing in the sport, the love and passion simply just grew," she said.
She is currently coached and guided by Wade Fraser.
Ngema said balancing her studies and sports had been hard as both were equally important and part of her daily life; however, she says she is grateful for the guidance of her coach. "I understand I am a student before an athlete and in order to succeed I have to balance both. It really is just about making a routine for yourself and setting out time for both," said Ngema.
Currently training and preparing for the 2023 season, she hopes to also have a season in Europe, but that is dependent on whether she is able to secure sponsors to travel for the indoor and outdoor competitions.
"My ultimate running dream is to make it to the major championships that all athletes dream of, the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games. My dream is definitely to be a sponsored athlete on the international stage, performing at podium level," she added.
Ngema said her mother was her biggest supporter, being there for her through good and bad days.
She thanked UKZN for sponsoring her travel throughout the season and ensuring that she had everything necessary for the University Sports South Africa (USSA) and CUCSA games.
Words: Sithembile Shabangu