Club nurtures the next generation of Olympic heroes

The Thembisa Athletics Club (TAC) is making a profound impact in the community by developing young athletes into future South African Olympians.

Central to this mission is the support TAC receives from the annual Thembisa Mile, a key event that provides crucial funding to sustain the club’s activities and expand its reach.

Each year, a portion of the proceeds from The Thembisa Mile are allocated to TAC, enabling coach Elvis Khoza and his dedicated team to run two holiday training programmes.

These programmes, held during the June/July and December/January school holidays, are designed to develop young athletes and provide them with training and mentorship opportunities.

Founded in 2009 by a group of athletes from Tembisa High School, the club was established under the leadership of Khoza, who was then a matric learner.

“When we started the club, we wanted to help youngsters elevate their athletic skills and keep them off the streets,” said Khoza.

“We registered the club to promote a healthy lifestyle and nurturing young talent.”

Determined to make a difference, Khoza pursued coaching qualifications and has since helped transform TAC into a powerhouse of athletic development.

His efforts have produced numerous champions, including Ryan Mphahlele, who represented South Africa at the Paris Olympics.

Khoza takes immense pride in the club’s achievements and the support received from the community and Tembisa High School.

“I want to produce more Olympians from ‘dust roads’”, he said.

“We have already seen many of our athletes represent the club and the township on both national and international stages.”

TAC maintains strong relationships with local schools and tertiary institutions, helping young athletes secure scholarships and further their education.

“Athletics provides a solid foundation for securing scholarships and building a better future,” Khoza said.

“Sports can change lives.”

In addition to his role at TAC, Khoza also coaches at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where he continues to shape the next generation of athletes.

The holiday programs at TAC focus on middle-distance training, catering to 30 to 40 young athletes each season.

During these camps, athletes receive not only training but also daily meals, with local community members volunteering to cook for the children.

“We run training sessions every day of the school holidays, except on Christmas and New Year’s Day when athletes spend time with their families,” explained Khoza.

“In December, while most people are in a festive mood, our athletes are out there training hard. We even welcome runners from outside the club, creating a sense of community where everyone comes together to support the young athletes.“

The December camp, which runs from December 16 to January 8, prepares TAC athletes for the upcoming school athletics season and various club championships, setting a solid foundation for the year ahead.

Looking to the future, Khoza envisions expanding the club’s facilities to better support the athletes.

“We need to install toilets and improve amenities like grandstands,” he said.

“My goal is to put TAC and Thembisa, also known as Dust Road, on the map. But to achieve this, I need the community’s help because this is their club; we are their runners.”

The support from The Thembisa Mile goes directly to the young athletes, covering essentials such as food during training camps.

“The Thembisa Mile helps our athletes grow and succeed,” said Khoza, who has been named Central Gauteng Athletics Development Coach of the Year twice.

With Khoza leading the way, the Thembisa Athletics Club continues to inspire young athletes to reach for greatness and follow in the footsteps of champions like Ryan Mphahlele.

Together with the support of the community, TAC is not just building athletes; it’s building future Olympic heroes.