Germiston teen makes national mark in steeplechase

Tshepiso Mofokeng, a talented young athlete specialising in the 2000m steeplechase, shares her journey to her first national competition.

According to the 2025 SA Track and Field Rankings, she is ranked seventh in the U18 girls’ category with a time of 7:31.17, achieved on March 29.

She’s currently preparing for her next challenge, the 4km cross-country championships.

Mofokeng’s athletic journey began in Grade Three, and she made her debut at the school provincial championships the following year.

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Under the guidance of coach Thulani Sibeko, who discovered her at Germiston Stadium during a school event, she has achieved significant success.

This year, she made her national debut, showcasing her growth as a 2000m steeplechase specialist.

She recalls training solo without a coach, but everything changed when she started working with Sibeko.

“Working with Sibeko is easy because I can speak to him. It allows me to improve at what I do and helps with my progress,” she says.

Under Sibeko’s guidance, Mofokeng achieved a breakthrough, qualifying for the nationals for the first time and improving her personal best.

She finished seventh with an impressive time of 7:31.17s, a significant milestone in her athletic career.

“Going to the nationals was an amazing experience. I didn’t believe I had qualified to represent my province.

“At one point, I had given up on going to the nationals, but I told myself that, by the grace of God, I would make it,” said Mofokeng.

Her ultimate dream is to compete at the Olympics, and she’s determined to continue training and pushing herself to achieve this goal.

With her progress and dedication, Mofokeng has the potential to become a prominent figure in South African athletics.