Ballito lifeguard Ernest Phungula has surged into the international sports arena in a remarkable feat of athleticism and determination.

The 30-year-old Groutville fitness fanatic has been selected to represent South Africa at the 2024 World Duathlon Championships in Townsville, Australia in August.

It isn’t the custom triathlon gear that sets Phungula apart, it is his diverse skills as a runner, cyclist and swimmer that saw him win the South African Duathlon Championships in July last year.

It was that win that allowed him to be selected to represent South Africa on the international stage. Having just started his triathlon journey in November 2021, Phungula’s determined spirit has made him one of the rising stars in his Durban-based club, Team Tri Lab Multisport.

“My coach was surprised by the growth I was showing. I was new but I was outranking all my team members. I have landed on the podium for 80% of the races I have competed in along with top finishes in position number one,” he said.

Phungula’s triathlete journey started when a friend lent him a bicycle to use in his first-ever competition, the Tinman. While his time was relatively slow, he managed to make it to the podium, which brought him to the attention of his coach and chairman of Triathlons KZN, Glen Gore.

Coming from a township where the only common sport was soccer, Phungula was always the odd one out. He was often ridiculed for the gear he wore.

However, his determination propelled him to rise through the ranks and compete in major races like the Durban Altra, African Cup Triathlon in Maselspoort and the South African Triathlon Championships in Port Elizabeth.

Staying at the top of his game requires him to train three times a week. “I swim for 2.9km, cycle for 3\4 hours and run for 10km,” he said.

Phungula works at Ballito’s Willard beach as a lifeguard and is now set on raising the money he will need if he is to reach his dream of competing at international level. He will need more than R100 000 to cover all travel costs.

A fundraising swim from Ballito to Salt Rock will be held on Saturday, with 5km, 3.7km, and 2km swims from Clarke Bay, Willard and Thompson’s Bay beaches respectively. Entries will cost R500 and R250 for students.

”This has been my ultimate goal, and I cannot miss this opportunity due to lack of funds,” he said. People wishing to donate can call him at 071 539 1736 or visit his Backabuddy page to make a donation.

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