'Women are natural born leaders' - The female force behind Black Diamond AC

As one of the few women in the country to sponsor a running club, Siphiwe Ntuli is determined to change the lives of athletes in South Africa. In addition to spending on entry fees to participate in races, elite running today requires expensive shoes, proper nutrition, and medical care in the form of physiotherapy - all of which costs money. Concerned about athletes struggling to meet these demands, Ntuli who owns Ibhele Nabangani Consulting Engineers, felt compelled to make a difference and invested in the ambitions of Black Diamond Athletics Club. This investment which was first made in 2022, has proven to be a wise decision, as the club has quickly established itself as one of the top performers in KwaZulu-Natal.

"I know athletics is dominated by men, so when I entered, I wanted to demonstrate that women are natural born leaders," she told #TheTopRunner. "I decided to get involved after observing that the sport needed improvement. It is still often treated as a semi-professional activity, with many people viewing it merely as a social gathering. Athletes trying to make ends meet often lack proper support and face significant hardships, especially when it comes to purchasing the right shoes. Additionally, it saddens me to hear that some races offer very low prize money, which strengthened my resolve to enter this industry and create positive change in athletes' lives," she said.

Ntuli poses with Busisiwe Chamane after the former was rewarded for her excellent work throughout the season. Photo Credit: Supplied.

At 47 years old, Ntuli who hails from Inkandla in northern KwaZulu-Natal, says the challenges on her path to success allow her to empathise with young athletes trying to use their talent to make a life for themselves. In short, her past experiences have inspired her commitment to helping others.

"I come from a family that was not financially stable, but my parents prioritized my education to help me change my circumstances. Since many runners come from rural areas, I can relate to their struggles. Ultimately, these athletes must be able to leverage their talent to support their families. We have also provided jobs for some runners within my company, Ibhele. Education is a priority for me, so I have offered bursaries to some athletes, as I understand that a career in sports is often short-lived," she explained.

Members of Black Diamond AC during a recent club function. Photo Credit: Supplied.

The Black Diamond Athletics Club has achieved notable recognition, particularly with athletes like Busisiwe Chamane, who has consistently finished in the top 10 of the Two Oceans Half-Marathon for the past three years, Bongelani Mkhwanazi, who has emerged as a reliable 28-minute 10km runner and Njabulo Mdletshe who earned a top twenty finish at the Comrades Marathon in June. These accomplishments are a source of pride for Ntuli.

"Although our elite program started not that long ago, we have already making our mark in races. Our athletes have participated in significant events like the Comrades Marathon, Two Oceans and Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races. This highlights that with adequate support, more talented individuals can be discovered. It is a matter of getting the right resources in place to grow the sport. My goal as a sponsor is to see athletes achieving impressive results on the road," she concluded.