'Our secret is focus' - Kopano AC's Pheko & Monnatlala shine at Old Eds Road Race

If it were just Zenzile Pheko, armchair critics might conclude that Kopano Athletic Club had stumbled on a phenom rather than having developed a supremely talented athlete. But the steady stream of promising junior, youth and sub-youth athletes coming out of the Krugersdorp-based club seems to suggest otherwise. Yesterday 20-year-old Pheko claimed a memorable 10km victory (31:07) over Olympian Precious Mashele (31:42) at the Old Eds Road Race with Discovery Vitality. His teammate Kgothatso Monnatlala ran an impressive 33:51 on the hilly Johannesburg course to take fifth place overall and finish as the first junior.

Letsholo poses with Monnatlala (left) and Pheko (right) after their success at the Old Eds Road Race with Discovery Vitality on 10 August.. Photo Credit: MWMedia.

"This is a development club based in Munsieville where our goal is to help kids between the ages of 8 and 18 years old to be focused and perform well in cross country, road running and track and field. We are pushing to create these stars of the future. Our main secret is focus. Even our slogan is Activated in Focus," explains club chairperson and coach Peter Letsholo when asked about the secret to the club's success.

"We make sure that strive for only the best. We work hard because it's not easy running a development club. We have to dig deep into our pockets to give these kids the best. But the hard work is showing. Monnatlala is coming up and Zenzile has been there for a while but he is now a senior and we are looking closely at his transition from junior to senior." 

Pheko and Monnatlala on the podium alongside one of the top runners of his generation Precious Mashele. Photo Credit: SMacPix.

Pheko who represented South Africa in the junior men's race at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in Serbia, is the reigning South African U23 5000m and 3000m champion with personal bests of 14:06.88 and 8:16.57 respectively. The lanky top runner also finished in fifth overall over twelve and a half laps of the track at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Senior Track and Field Championships in April against a quality field including the likes of Maxime Chaumeton, Adriaan Wildschutt and Kabelo Mulaudzi. To help Pheko navigate his first season as a senior while ensuring that younger athletes like Monnatlala continue to grow, Letsholo who is a former semi-professional football player, adopts a fatherly approach to coaching and leadership.

"Everybody ko kasi will go for football or netball but we saw the need for athletics because not every child can play football or netball. That’s how we give back to the community. I’m not a top runner. I’m more social. But I've got the passion because I believe we can change the country with athletics. My coaching is more lifeskill coaching. I spot the talent and then collaborate with guys who have more knowledge than I do. I'm more of a life coach. I father these kids. I'm an uncle. I’m everything to them. I'm just using my wisdom to make sure they succeed," he said, reflecting on the club which was founded in 2012.

Kopano AC youngsters training in Munsieville, Krugersdorp. Photo Credit: Kopano Athletic Club.

It's an approach that has worked well for Monnatlala in particular, who recently joined the club. The 18-year-old who ran on and off while playing football during his primary and secondary school years, confesses to having been a problem child until he found a home at the club training alongside Pheko under the guidance of Letsholo.

"I was out of line and getting up to no good in the streets. I used to smoke and I hung out with the wrong crowd. I only ran during the athletics season and I would always quit and go and play football when I got beaten. But since I've joined this club things have changed. My training has been going well and I feel comfortable when I train with Zenzile. He guides me. I want to be like him. I'm so happy with the way I'm running. I'm so proud of myself. My family are also happy because I'm no longer smoking and hanging out with my old friends. My coach is proud of me too for the way I have grown and am taking it to the next level. I'd like to thank the Man above."

Monnatlala will be aiming to earn selection to the Central Gauteng Athletics' junior men's cross country team which will represent the province at the national cross country championships on 6 September, when he runs the CGA Cross Country Championships at the Germiston Soccer Club on Saturday 15 August.