Domestic worker sets sights on New York marathon

After watching the Comrades Marathon in 2014, Etete‘s Veronica Mtetwa – who had never run before in her life – decided she had to take part in the next Comrades.

When she told her Sheffield employer, Jody Cameron, the next day of her mission, she laughed and blew it off.

Next minute, she was part of the Dolphin Striders Club and completed her first time trials.

“I taught myself to run. You must not wait for someone else to make you do something. I started running two kilometers. It was so hard! I was tired and sore the next day, but I kept going. Soon, I ran ten kilometers from Brettenwood, where I worked, to the Dolphin Striders Club for a four kilometer run. Then back to Brettenwood,” said the humble 33-year-old Mtetwa, who is a single mother of three.

While the Camerons still did not believe Mtetwa would make the Comrades, they supported her where possible, with their daughter, Coco (6), being her biggest fan.

Before long, the tall, athletic built Mtetwa did her first 42 kilometer qualifying race for the comrades in Pietermaritzburg, but luck was not on her side.

“Our taxi was late and by the time we got to the start line, we were too late to get our race numbers. We ran anyway and I made it, but it did not count. The next weekend was the last chance to qualify and I smashed it.”

By now, the Camerons realised she was serious and Veronica’s running regime became more hectic, with long distance running at 2am through the sugar cane.

“Veronica ran her first Comrades in 2015. She finished in just under 12 hours. Seeing her cross the finish line was an incredible moment for all of us.”

This year, she ran the Comrades again and completed the Two Oceans Marathon.

“My family think I am crazy. They worry about me when I race. Running is not easy. You have to communicate with the road, but if you are a runner, you never have an excuse not to run. When I run, I am happy and stress-free. It is my life.”

Until now, she only ran for herself, but after recently joining Phindi Gule for a 30 kilometer stretch during her 900 kilometer run along the KZN coastline for charity, she learnt a valuable lesson.

“I want to run for others now. I would like to motivate people to start running and to show them how much meaning it can bring to their life.”

Mtetwa’s next goal is to tackle the New York Marathon.

“Everyone has been so supportive, from the Dolphin Striders Club, to my friend Thami Gubelani in Etete and of course Jody and her family. I have come so far, but now I want to go to New York.”

The Camerons would like to ask anyone willing to sponsor and help get Mtetwa to New York, to send a mail to jody@compropballito.co.za

“I could go on for hours and hours telling you what this special soul has gone through to achieve her dreams – and she is not even in her prime yet. Watch this space! This lady is going to make a difference,” said Jody.

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