Rosina Sedibane Modiba is the first black woman who participated in multiracial athletes in South Africa. Born and bred in Attridgeville, the 61-years-old is a record holder of the 400 meters, 1500 meters, and 3000 meters and was awarded the first national title in the apartheid era.
She started running in high school but apartheid prevented black young talented women from being in the limelight. Only whites would reach the highlights of South African sports. Records were separated, white would have their own and black their own.
For one to be able to compete with whites, the best amongst the black groups would be chosen to go compete with the whites.
Mrs Modiba said her best milestone was when an article about her was written by the Sunday Times which exposed her to an opportunity of having a school named after her. Nominations were made and she was privileged to be chosen amongst the other names in the list.
The school is based in Pretoria and is named Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School.
“Young people who want to reach their goal need to have an interest in whatever that they are doing. They need to have passionate and be dedicated to what they want to achieve,” she said.
“If they want to be athletes like myself, they need to look for mentors. Ask us, how we reached to that level. We will tell them that it was not about money but it was passion and dedication. That is how we got to where we are” she added.
Women like Rosina Modiba continue to motivate and inspire young black women in South Africa and show them that it is possible despite the challenges they face on a day to day basis.
