SASOLBURG – From the Vaal Triangle to the international athletics arena, Tshepang Makhethe has carved out his hammer throw journey step by step through discipline, patience and perseverance.
The accomplished hammer thrower and coach recently once again proved his class when he claimed a bronze medal at the African Senior Championships with a throw of 67.27 m, reaffirming his status as one of South Africa’s leading field athletes.
Tshepang’s achievements speak for themselves. He is a three-time South African senior champion, a three-time African senior medalist (one silver and two bronze), a two-time Commonwealth Games finalist and a two-time FISU World Student Games finalist.
He has also previously won an African junior silver medal and reached the finals at both the World Youth and World Junior Championships.
For him, however, success is about more than medals.
“It is always an honour to represent South Africa on the international stage,” he said. “This was my fifth African Championships and standing on the podium was definitely the biggest highlight.”
This medal carried special significance, especially after he suffered a groin injury and could only resume serious preparation in November.
“This medal was quite an emotional one,” he admitted.
His love for athletics began in primary school. He competed in hurdles, high jump and even cross-country. But one moment during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games changed everything.
“I saw the hammer throw and thought, ‘I’ve done all the athletics events, but I’ve never seen this one before. I want to try it.’”
That curiosity turned into determination in 2010 at HTS Sasolburg when he picked up the hammer for the first time during an inter-sport event. Coach Johan Harmse immediately recognised his talent and encouraged him to begin training seriously.
Shortly afterwards, Tshepang joined Basie Koen’s training group, where he trained alongside the legendary Chris Harmse.
“Coach Basie believed in me when I still doubted myself,” Makhethe said.
Under Koen’s guidance, he won his first SA Schools title in 2011 after only nine months of specialised training.
Hammer throw requires both immense strength and technique, but Makhethe believes technique makes the biggest difference.
“You need strength, but I lean more towards technique,” he explained.
Like all elite athletes, he has had to make sacrifices.
“In my youth there was no such thing as school holidays. We trained throughout the year,” he said.
Today, he balances his own ambitions with coaching. His academy focuses on developing elite throwers and strengthening South Africa’s throwing events.
He also draws inspiration from his sister, Phethisang, who is excelling in hammer throw in America.
“She already has an African title to her name and I’m still chasing one,” he joked.
There are still two major goals he wants to achieve: competing at the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
His message to young athletes is simple: “Don’t neglect your studies. Secure your future outside of sport and then chase your sporting dreams with everything you have. Don’t be afraid to fail.”
