NOW RACING WITH THE ‘BIG BOYS’

MBABANE – Little improvements often lead to stunning results. “Achievement seems to be connected to action. Successful men and women keep moving. They face challenges, make mistakes but never quit.’’

These words were once said by American hotelier and founder of Hilton Hotels chain, Conrad Hilton, aimed at inspiring, motivating and encouraging people to pursue greatness in life. Everybody has a dream but it will always remain just that unless you wake up and work towards achieving it.

Today’s motivational story is that of Sebenele Magongo. She started cycling three years ago. Driven by a vision to one day become the kingdom’s greatest female cyclist, she has overcome challenges and remains focused in pursuing her goal. At first, it was about losing weight but having fallen in love with the sport, her body had no choice but to adapt and shed the extra weight. With time, her focus shifted from losing weight and turned into striving to be the country’s best lady cyclist. One might refer to her journey as hitting two birds with one stone.

gained

In 2017, she joined Khemani Cycling Club and had her first 20km race at Mlilwane, which she completed in 1:32hours. Through continuous training, she gained strength and dropped body mass from 73kg to 65kg. Her next challenge was a 60km race, which she conquered in 3:32hours. Philosophers always say that success is vision-driven and nothing beats determination and hard work.

In 2018, she fell pregnant and had to take a break from the sport. Postnatal stage was not easy for her after giving birth through caesarean section. Those challenges, however, did not derail her from pursuing her dreams. After the birth of her child, she realised that she had gained 10kg and decided to jump onto the bicycle.

“I wanted to lose the weight and pursue my goal at the same time. When my baby was eight months old, I challenged myself and competed in the National Road Championships’ 93km race in April this year and finished in fourth place. I realised that I could achieve even more and I haven’t looked back since. I wanted to show other new mothers that going back to training after child birth, especially C-section, was more beneficial than dangerous,” she said.

defied

Last week Sebenele defied all odds to cycle with the ‘big boys’ in the United Holdings Mafutseni Road Cycle Classic. She was one of only three ladies who joined the 120km race. She was the third finisher in her category, clocking 4:49:36hours, after South African champion, Sandra Haywood and Dinize Wilsch.
“My journey continues. I am not there yet. My next target is to join the Eswatini national team and compete internationally,” she added.

Magongo is a true inspiration to people with the desire to lose weight and those who have certain dreams in life. Her recipe for a healthy body is a proper diet and exercise.

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