Unisan Thuso Mosiea’s remarkable achievements and resilience continue to inspire the university community and the broader South African running fraternity.

Mosiea is a highly respected South African ultramarathon runner, student advisor at Unisa and running coach based in KwaZulu-Natal. Through his dedication, discipline, humility and passion for the sport, he established himself as one of South Africa's elite distance runners and a role model to aspiring athletes.

His achievements in distance running are exceptional. Mosiea successfully completed six Comrades Marathons and represented South Africa with distinction at the 2018 IAU 100km World Championships in Croatia, where Team South Africa secured a silver medal. Individually, he finished 14th overall and was placed second in the 40+ age category. He also recorded an impressive marathon personal best of 2:32:46.

Among his many accomplishments, one of the most notable came in 2015, when he achieved an outstanding 8th-place finish in the Comrades Marathon, crossing the finish line in a remarkable 5:59:06. This achievement firmly established him among the elite ultra-distance runners in South Africa. His running career between 2011 and 2019 was marked by consistent excellence and numerous top performances in some of the country's most prestigious races.

Sadly, on 29 January 2020, Mr Mosiea's competitive running career was abruptly ended during a student protest at Unisa.

He explains: "While preparing for the 2020 Comrades Marathon during my lunch break, I tried to help calm students who were protesting and engage the police. In the process, I was shot in my left calf and left hand. Due to the injuries, I could no longer continue competing, and I have since transitioned into coaching. I am now also working with the Durban University of Technology to help develop road running."

Reflecting on the incident, Mosiea recalls that he was attempting to help calm the situation and engage with the police when he was struck. He sustained serious injuries, including fractures to one hand and multiple gunshot wounds, with one rubber bullet remaining lodged in his leg. The injuries ultimately prevented him from continuing to compete at the level he had worked so hard to attain. For an athlete whose passion was being on the road, competing and representing his country, the experience was devastating.

Yet, in the face of adversity, Mosiea demonstrated the same determination and courage that had defined his athletic career. Rather than allowing tragedy to define him, he chose a new path. He refused to wallow in self-pity and instead redirected his passion into coaching and athlete development. Today, he continues to make a meaningful contribution to the sport by mentoring runners and working with the Durban University of Technology to help develop road running talent.

His story is not only one of athletic excellence but also of resilience, perseverance and unwavering commitment to the sport he loves. Although he could no longer pursue his dream of competing internationally and representing South Africa on the road, he chose to ensure that others would have the opportunity to achieve their own dreams.

Thuso Mosiea's life and achievements remind us that true greatness is measured not only by victories and medals, but also by the ability to rise above adversity and continue serving others.

We proudly salute and celebrate Mosiea for his exceptional contribution to athletics, his service to the University of South Africa, and his continued dedication to developing future generations of runners. His legacy remains an enduring source of inspiration to the Unisa community and the entire South African running community.

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Unisans shine at the tough up-run 2026 Comrades Marathon

* By Ngwakwana Shilaluke, Sport and Recreation Coordinator, Employee Health and Wellness, and Thuso Mosiea, Student Advisor, KwaZulu-Natal Region