32 seconds from silver
It was while at Rehoboth that Nangamso found a passion for running and the rest is history.
There is something very special about the Comrades Marathon. There can’t be too many other events where narrow misses are focused on, even celebrated.
This was the case for Nangamso Mlilo, who, running in the colours of South Coast Striders, missed his silver medal by a mere 32 seconds, finishing in 7:30:32 – and ended up being interviewed on live television.
It’s unlikely the interviewer could have known Nangamso grew up at Rehoboth Children’s Village – for abandoned or orphaned children – in Murchison.
However, this young man, who came from a difficult background, came across as modest and grateful – and tenacious.
It was while at Rehoboth that Nangamso found a passion for running and the rest is history.
Rehoboth, which means ‘more room’ was founded by Alfons and Yvonne van der Galien about two decades ago. They have been parent figures to Nangamso and many others and there won’t be many others more delighted with his successes than them.
Nangamso was humble in his disappointment, saying he had endured an injury earlier in the year and on the day suffered a bout of IBS after about 60km, but that he was pleased nonetheless to have completed his second consecutive Comrades.
He was even more pleased to have improved on his time by one hour and 56 minutes, despite all this.
Both Nangamso and the interviewer agreed he’d be back next year to add silver to his Bill Rowan medal.
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