A cowardly attack that floored SA athletics champion, Thabang Mosiako and almost derailed his career did not succeed as he jetted off to Algeria on Wednesday.
It was exactly 40 days ago that Mosiako and his friends were attacked on the Bult in an alleged racial attack. The athlete would later wake up in hospital after being beaten unconscious by about ten men. At that time, Mosiako’s dream of representing South Africa in the Africa Champs was in tatters as he could not train and suffered from migraines.
On Wednesday, he told the Herald that he is nervous yet excited at the same time. ‘My preparation did not go according to plan. Even though I’m in good shape, the attack was a huge setback. I never thought this moment would come because when I was in the hospital I was overcome with despondency and I had already given up on the Algeria trip,’ he said.
But, he says, through the overwhelming support and encouragement, he was able to stand up and dust off all the negativity. In this regard, he thanked his coach, Springs Phakathi; training partners; friends; Lindiwe Suttle and donors of The Thabang Mosiako Fund that was initiated by her, and all South Africans from all walks of life.
Thabang will take part in the 10 km cross-country competition on Saturday and says he is ‘aiming to be in the top 20 but it would be a bonus to be in the top 15’.
‘I have been training for three weeks. It was an uphill battle and, in some instances, the migraines got worse. But I forged ahead. There was a time when I felt so helpless that I had to call Prof. Fika Janse van Rensburg. He called the ambulance and I had to be rushed to the hospital because I could no longer afford the medication,’ he said.
Thank you, South Africa
Before leaving Potchefstroom, he thanked South Africans for their prayers and for being there for him. ‘You didn’t let me down after the attack. You have all contributed to my career,’ he said in jubilation.
Thabang is expected to be back on Monday.
* An investigation into the Mosiako attack is currently underway.
