'I want to give back to athletes today like it was given to me' - Khoza's athletes shine at Golden Race 5/10km

Having run the fastest 2000m Steeplechase time of all time (5:39) by a South African youth, won five national titles as a schoolboy and represented South Africa, Siyaya Khoza will go down as one of the country’s best ever youth athletes. But because of his passion for seeing the next generation succeed, the West rand native's enduring legacy surely be found in the lives of the countless talented teens whose lives he has touched through running. 

The youngster's coached by Khoza pose for a photo after taking part in a local event. Photo Credit: Siyaya Khoza.

"If it wasn't for my athletic ability and coaches who cared, I don't know where I would be today," he said during an interview with the Nedbank Running Club back in 2017 reflecting on growing up in poverty. "I grew up having nothing, and my only talent was my two good legs. I was fortunate enough to have teachers who cared for me right from primary school level up to high school. Danie (Lindique) took me under his wing and became like a father to me. Through sport I was able to go to University. I want to give back to athletes today like it was given to me," says Siyaya, who obtained his Honours Degree in Education from the University of Johannesburg.

Armed with the experience he gained competing as a top level junior, and driven by this desire to make a difference the chairperson of the Soweto arm of the Nedbank Running Club has become one of the country’s top athletics development coaches. At present his training group which is based in Rietvallei Extension 2 and 3 near Kagiso, comprises 16 youth and junior athletes who run for the Soweto arm of the Nedbank Running Club and have begin to deliver some promising performances.

Khoza says he's passion for coaching stems from his own upbringing. He wishes to share the opportunities that were given to him, with future generations. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Khoza's youngsters dominated the Golden 5km & 10km event at the Westonaria Sports Complex as 19-year-old Paballo Mmutle stopped the clock in 33:38 to win the women's 10km by over three minutes, defeating former SA Marathon Champion Cornelia Joubert in the process. 14-year-old Siyanda Simelane ran 20:59 to claim eighth  position in the men’s 5km race, while his 11-year-old training partner Khanyisani Khumalo produced a noteworthy tenth overall as he crossed the line in 21:04 to finish as the fourth junior athlete.

Khoza hopes that his current crop will follow in the footsteps of famous West Rand athletes such as Joubert, Olympian Sibusiso Nzima and SA 10km champion Andries Sesedi all of whom participated in the first edition of the West Rand Half Marathon on 20 April, 2025. Organised by Khoza under the auspices of the Nedbank Running Club - Soweto, the event was dominated by local athletes as Nzima and Lebo Phalula-Mzazi won the 10km race, while Tiisetso Mokhoma and Cornelia Joubert won the half marathon. Khoza believes that this race is important not only because it puts the West rand on the map, but also because it provides much needed racing opportunities to local athletes while supporting the club's development mandate.

Runners having fun during the first edition of the West Rand Marathon. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"The West Rand Half Marathon was such a great event. We had 1300 plus entrant across the various distances. There were some challenges but we tried to make the best of them. There are some things to working on going into the future. We would like to thank everyone that came on board from the Department of Sports and Recreation, Mogale City, Rand West City, the Merafong Municipality and our medic sponsor Lenmed. So all in all, this was actually a great success for us to reach such numbers."