LOBAMBA – Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RESCorp) sensation Slindo Mabuza stole the show yesterday during the 2026 Spar Women’s Challenge.
The 13-year-old stunned a field of seasoned runners to emerge victorious in the third edition of the 10.1km race, which started and finished at the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) headquarters.
The event also featured a 4.1km race, won by another 13-year-old, Sanele Hlatjwako, though the 10.1km main event remained the primary focus.
The RESCorp runner, who has turned local 10km races into her own territory, outpaced experienced competitors who usually contest 21km and 42km distances.
The race began with the ceremonial firing of the starting gun by the Deputy Prime Minister’s representative, Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Simelane, alongside the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima.
The champion delivered a pulsating run of 42:55, narrowly defeating runner-up Siniketiwe Ndlangamandla.
They were separated by a mere second at the finish line, a result that saw Mabuza take home two grocery hampers for her performance as both the overall champion and the top junior runner.
Furthermore, Mabuza pocketed E1 000, while Ndlangamandla received E900 and a grocery hamper.
Youngster Amahle Mathunjwa claimed the bronze medal, followed by a string of veteran runners.
Gugu Mthembu took fourth place, while Nongcebo Mathabela, who specialises in the half-marathon, occupied fifth.
Meanwhile, marathon queen Samukelisiwe Tfwala finished sixth, but secured first place in the veteran category, narrowly winning a photo-finish against Phumzile Maphalala.
Reflecting on her triumph, Mabuza admitted that she was intimidated by the veterans entering her territory. She attributed her success to rigorous training and tactical discipline over the 10.1km distance.
“I think making sure that I shook them off as early as we started gave me the breathing space I needed; it was a relief when I no longer heard the heavy feet pounding close behind me. I was relieved when I saw the familiar competitors challenging me closer, and I then knew that I would win it,’’ she said.
She added that she maintained a high intensity throughout the route, consistently increasing her speed to ensure the chasing pack could not catch her. She thanked her parents and family for their unwavering support, noting that she is inspired to reach for the stars.
It is worth noting that yesterday’s event saw attendance almost double, with Athletics Eswatini (AE) reporting that the number of participants swelled from around 350 to nearly 800.
Spar Women’s Challenge 2026 champion Slindo Mabuza receives her cash prize and grocery hamper from the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, and the Deputy Prime Minister’s representative, Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Simelane. (PIcs: Nimrod Hlophe)