Michael Dube (23) from Signal Hill village, Mahikeng, in the North West province wins the 10 000m race at the Athletics North West North (ANWN) league 2 on the 25th February 2023. After running track events, Dube won the 10 000m race at the Athletics North West North (ANWN) league 2 to qualify for the provincial championships. In 2021, Dube achieved a lot from Mmabatho Athletics Club where he managed to run both track events and cross-country SA championships, running with all the champions of South Africa in the colours of team North West North. “In the track event 10 000m provincial championship, I achieved a silver medal (position 2). My goal for this year is to become position one,” he said.
The Mmabatho Athletics Club athlete coached by Mr Edwin Mose represented team North West North earlier in 2022 at the SA Championship Cross-Country and managed to obtain a bronze medal. The athlete dreamt of becoming a champion of SA and even competing internationally.
Coach Edwin Mose played a major role in laying a foundation for me to compete in the high levels and by assisting me to mature. Things are being done differently when you compete at a higher level. There are many technicalities and tactics which your experienced coach who is familiar with the environment can assist with. I intend on running 21km under 1h 05mins,” said Dube.
He managed to run a 21km Soweto marathon for the first time where he was position 13 overall and position 10 for South Africa, with a time of 1:13:20 on the 6th of November 2022.
His training for the Soweto marathon started in June 2022. He trained 5 times a week which was Monday to Thursday and Saturday. Fridays and Sundays were for restoring energy and recovery. “From Monday to Thursday, I did my morning speed work for 30 minutes and in the afternoon I ran at an easy pace (low to medium just 15km) for 1 hour. During my training sessions, I drank enough water and restored my energy by eating a banana and an orange. On Saturdays, I did a long run for 2 hours in the morning. My training for the Soweto marathon really worked for me,” he said.
Dube has always been a champion and began competing in inter-house races while still in school. Areaganeng Primary School served as the beginning of his running career. He kept representing Sebopiwa Molema Middle School in 2014 however he was unable to travel to the SA Championships.
In 2017, he competed in the 8km event at the South African Schools Athletics Championships as a representative of Molelwane Secondary School where he finished in position 14 overall while running for team North West Province. “Since I have taken part in inter-house races, I have to remember the kids in my community who practice and compete in these events.
I stress the need of discipline and patience to the kids because being an athlete requires patience. I’ve seen that a lot of youngsters’ desire to accomplish things quickly and instilling them with the qualities of patience and perseverance will help them excel in athletics,” he said.
