Marathon winner is still grounded
SOWETO Marathon king Michael Papie Mazibuko is not a fan of US rapper Rick Ross and his song 'Blow Money Fast'
God has protected him from going astray
Testimony to this is when Sunday World interviews him at his mother's RDP house in Mamello Section, Namahadi township, just outside Frankfort in the Free State, on Wednesday.
He tells us that he will invest the R100,000 he won on Sunday for at least five years before he and his mother decide on how to spend it wisely.
"What's the phone you're using," we ask him. "Your phone doesn't have a battery cover, yet you won R100,000 on Sunday?"
He answers proudly: "It's a Nokia 1200 and I'm happy with it. It's just a phone, after all. These things break and I don't want an expensive phone that will end up at repairs."
Mazibuko, 25, who is still in Grade 11 and loves gospel and soul music, is still a mama's baby despite his celebrity status.
His strict mother Emily Manana Mazibuko, 47, says in the beginning she was sceptical about her son being an athlete.
"I'm happy for him and the fact that God has protected him from going astray. I'm also happy that he doesn't have friends who mislead him to drink liquor or smoke. He must not waste his talent and think he's better now," she says.
Mazibuko's journey to success has not been easy.
Last week on Friday he hitch-hiked for almost 200km from his home to Jozi, then proceeded to his uncle's workplace at Groenpunt correctional services in Vereeniging on the Vaal.
On Saturday they fetched his running licence, and at 3am on Sunday morning they were at the starting point at Nasrec Expo for the 6am start of the 42,2km marathon.
Mazibuko sprinted to the finish line after leading from the 38km mark.
Though he says his father Petros Mobe Mofokeng never took part in his life, he feels sad that he's not there to see his success. His father died in March while Mazibuko was preparing to run the Two Oceans Marathon on April 23. He finished the 56km race in 3:15min and took position 16.
In 2008, he led for 14km, then ran out out of steam. But he earned a silver medal. Then two years later he could not finish the race due to cramps.
Mazibuko, who wants to go to university after he completes Grade 12 next year, has also ended the domination of Lesotho runners, who have been regular winners at the Soweto Marathon for the past four years.
Just like his role model, Ramaala, Mazibuko wants to conquer the New York Marathon. He has won many races, including the Maponya Mall marathon last year.
A fortnight ago he won the Carnival City Half-Marathon in Brakpan and in August it was the City2City Half-Marathon. He also took position one in the 21km Traumeel Holy Howard marathon in Joburg after the Two Oceans Marathon.
He says he wants to build his mother, two siblings and three nieces a bigger and better house in Frankfort.
If he resists the temptation of listening to songs like Blow Money Fast, Mazibuko has a bright future in athletics.
Mzilikazi
another retard, still doing doing grade 11 @25. im sure some of his teachers are younger than him. flint stone.
IZABA
at least he has chosen to push till he gets it right, a lot of people his age have matriculated and nothing became of them still
Hilza
Hhayi Mzilikazi, u are the worst blogger!! How can u say such a bad statement abt sum1 whose trying hard to have a better future.
Rhirhi
Hawu wena Mzi @least hez still going 2 skul, n trying his best unlike the thugs who hang around eKasi n smoke dagga the whole day, without doing anything contractive!!
StellaSebalo
YOU ARE SHALLOW MZILIKAZI!! BLACKS!
MoeketsiMolefe
@Mzilikazi I know a lady who is a jugde now having completed her matric @ 27
ThabangMokotedi
Go to hell Mzilikazi, not all of us are academically talented and did you check the reason that led to that boy being on grade 11 at his age. Grow up yourself and stop being negative. Shoulder on Papi you will soon reach your destination. SA can be a better place without people like Mzilikazi.
ZiggyTjebane
@Mzilikazi,i see you as a retard here.Mazibuko you are an inspiration and a very determined youth.i am sure you will go to university.wish to see u representing ZA internationally.be blessed.
IZABA
Well said Ziggy
StellaSebalo
Well said Ziggy!
Tshililo_SherrifMadzunya
We really need young man and women of your caliber. Mamma, yo are so blessed to have a child who listen to you for its very rare. Keep it up!!
BiBi
well done, now its time to sprint with your studies too
MellowYellowish
Papie Mazibuko Congra mara haaibo papa lets call a spade a spade here @25 still in grade 11 you need to take a break from athletics and focus and dedicate your time and efforts to finishing your matric, you have proved yourself and clearly you know where your talent lies but just finish matric somblief togg Papie mann and good move invest daai zak and stay away from jezzabels neh focus dear focus next goal MATRIC CERTIFICATE then from there you can just focus on your strong points well done and wish you all the best in life
JoseMonna
@Mzilikazianother retard, still doing doing grade 11 @25. im sure some of his teachers are younger than him. flint stone.At least he got R100K at 25, what abt u? I think u haven`t touch R10 000.00 at you age,sis,What kind of mzilikazi are u?maybe u are worse than retarded.Sometimes u must re-think before u write,Papie he came from Free State deep rurals where education to them is a battle,the guy came here to show us how to run,check his racing records he ran Two Oceans,just think where is 2Oceans is held?maybe u don`t know where is the ocean are in South Africa or maybe u haven`t seing one....Mzilikazi Retard.Papie Keep it Up,who knows next year u might be going to summer olympics London,Haak Vrystaat,
ak Vrystaat...
DoreenSkosana
Say that again Jose this Mzilikazi is really ann....ng me nxhaaaaaa.
Hotcherry
@ MzilikaziU r number 1 retard...RETARD RETARD RETARD...SHUT UP IF U HAVE NOTHING POSSITIVE TO SAY.
@ Least he is making his way up ...wena? busy critisizing others nd going nowhere...u no body!!
Hotcherry
@ MZILIKAZIFIRST TO COMMENT BUT TALKING BULL SHIT!!
fokofpolisiekar
i wonder what happened, 25 in grade 11, but i like the fact you didnt give up, you still wanna push to the top, most people your age wouldnt go back to school
