Ga-Rankuwa trail runner inspires short film
An inspirational trail runner from Ga-Rankuwa, who followed his passion, invited residents to the screening of a short film about his life.
A short film based on the life of a successful Ga-Rankuwa-born athlete, Thabang Madiba, was viewed at Hashtag Meat Café, Ga-Rankuwa Unit 16, on Sunday.
The inspiring documentary is about the first black South African to represent the country in trail running.
“I heard about Thabang’s story from another South African trail runner. I got interested and wanted to do a film on him,” said film producer, Dean Leslie, of Wandering Fever.
“It took us three years to convince someone to pay for the film, but we got the green light and came to spend some time with him.”
Leslie told Record they wanted to capture Madiba’s reality and stay true to that, without sensationalising it.
“We wanted to get a sense of the community,” said Leslie.
“We wanted to tell the world how he came from a poor background and did not feel sorry for himself.”
In 2011, Madiba did his first duathlon where he was expected to cycle and run. He was afforded the opportunity to qualify for the world championships in Spain.
Madiba’s love for sports saw him win the first South African trail running marathon distance championship in 2013 which qualified him for the world champs in Portland in the US.
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“It was hectic and I got 21st overall, but I did win the second SA Champs that made me go to California,” said Madiba.
A friend of Madiba, Kane Reilly, who has been running with him for six years, said he was quite inspired and proud of him.
“Often you find one guy being stronger than the other. With us, it is never that, we motivate each other to do great.”
Resident Katlego Mogashoa, who was present at the film screening, said: “I never knew that he had achieved so much. I always see him running past where I live.
“It is really inspiring and motivating for the community at large,” said Mogashoa.
Madiba said film screenings will be held in Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban.
“We have already covered Gauteng, since we decided to have the screening in my hometown. We will be touring the whole country,” he said.
“Being the first black South African in mountain running, the film will give me exposure.
“If anything, I want to create financial sponsorships and endorsements for myself,” he concluded.
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