Teboho Setena
The identical Pule sisters, Neo and Mosa, are quietly building a reputation as a formidable force by participating in middle distance track events and 10km races.
They jump-started their promising career last year when they participated in the Mimosa Mall Family Run 2024.
They again participated in this year’s instalment of the event, staged in Bloemfontein on 1 March and this time called the Mimosa Mall Marathon due to race distance additions, opting to take part in the 5km race.
“Last year was our first-ever race. We were encouraged by our aunt, Boitumelo Pule, to participate. We did not have a running club affiliation at the time we started, but we later joined the Nedbank ByGrace running club,” said the pair.
The sisters relish in improving their personal best (PB) in every event, accounting for 11 medals between them.
Neo has earned five medals and Mosa six from the races they have featured in thus far.
The pair’s PB is 60 minutes in 10km races, but both said their immediate target is to improve this even further.
“Our main goal is to improve our PB, to run 10km in 30 to 45 minutes,” they said.
Mosa and Neo are both Gr.12 learners at the Dr Viljoen Combined School in Willows.
The twins said the reason for their decision to opt for participation in the Mimosa Mall Marathon’s 5km race was, chiefly, to gradually improve their momentum for serious competitions.
The siblings’ good start is spurred on by their pursuit to be the best version of themselves.
Neo and Mosa have taken their promising career one step higher, competing for the first time in this year’s provincial track and field athletics championship staged in Bloemfontein.
The sisters competed in the middle distance (1 500m) track event.
They told BloemExpress that the decision to seriously compete in athletics was a result of motivation stemming from their current running coach.
“We are inspired by our talented coach, Anna Moeketsi. She is very dedicated in what she does and she empowers us to achieve our goal in every possible way,” said Mosa.
However, the sisters say they do not compete against each other, despite having the same ambition for athletics.
“We motivate and encourage each other all the time,” said Neo.
Their enterprising progress inspires the twins to improve and compete nationally, and eventually go on to represent South Africa and the Free State internationally.
They live by the motto “God is in control,” which is inspired by Isiah 40:23.
Boitumelo, the girls’ aunt, said she is proud of Mosa and Neo, having closely monitored the sisters’ progress.
The twins are the daughters of her late sister, who passed on in 2021.
“Their mother passed away in 2021. I introduced them to running last year because I know running is very therapeutic.
“I am super proud of their progress, efforts, and achievements. My proudest moment was when Mosa won the junior title at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, Marathon last year.
“My dream is to see them living a joyful and peaceful life, and for them to be elite runners who are recognised nationally and internationally,” said Boitumelo.
The twins’ coach, Moeketsi, is a winner of multiple middle and long distance races.
Her illustrious career spans 25 years and she has won several races over the years despite being underrated. Moeketsi’s journey started in 1997 at the Aurora Primary School in Welkom, competing in the 400m and 2km.
“The twins are very talented and committed to running, though we have a lot of hard work to do to unlock their full potential. I believe next year our hard work will start to pay off, and I believe the best of God is yet to come in their running,” said Moeketsi.
The sisters are now part of a crop of 11 athletes who will receive their training directly from Moeketsi.
“To me, athletes are all important and I want to see them become successful, and eventually compete in high level competitions.
