Supermoms Walaza and Malungane Are Shaping South Africa’s Next Track Stars

Bayanda Walaza and Tiisetso Malungane are among South Africa’s most promising young runners, and both credit single mothers with helping them reach the highest levels of athletics. Walaza, 20, is a double junior world champion in the 100 and 200 metres. Malungane, 16, has dominated his age group in middle-distance running.

Walaza’s mother, Tholiwe, took on the full burden of raising him after his father was shot dead during an argument in front of the boy. Bayanda was 10. Tholiwe feared he might seek revenge, so she focused on staying close to him and helping him deal with the trauma.

“

I was afraid that he might seek revenge for what had happened to his father, to maybe seek out the culprits.

“I was afraid that he might seek revenge for what had happened to his father, to maybe seek out the culprits,” she told Daily Maverick. “So it was very important for me to be a present mom. To be alongside him and to show him a parent’s love to ease his pain.” She also took him to counselling so he could recover without being consumed by resentment.

“

So it was very important for me to be a present mom. To be alongside him and to show him a parent’s love to ease his pain.

Tiisetso was raised by Catherine Malungane after his father distanced himself soon after his birth. Catherine already competed in marathons, half-marathons and road races, but often had to bring her son to training because nobody else could care for him. She noticed his speed when he was three and ran across the field to reach her.

Balancing elite competition with motherhood became increasingly difficult. Catherine eventually abandoned her own ambitions to nurture her son’s talent. “It was very difficult for me, because my sacrifice for Tiisetso to be where he is was both with time and my personal ambitions,” she said. “But I have no regret at all for the sacrifices I have made as a mother.”

“

It was very difficult for me, because my sacrifice for Tiisetso to be where he is was both with time and my personal ambitions.

Tiisetso later became the fastest 16-year-old ever recorded over a mile on African soil, running 4:03.85 at the Curro Street Mile in June. He also reached the final of the 2026 Under-20 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, United States, despite illness and difficulty adjusting to the conditions. Catherine believes he can win a medal at the 2028 championships.

“

But I have no regret at all for the sacrifices I have made as a mother.