Balancing numbers and strides

As a first-year student, Wonder Mathabela took expert advice and began jogging in the mornings to help manage the demands of his actuarial science program. But what started as a simple fitness routine soon revealed a hidden talent – he was faster than many of the runners around him. This discovery ignited a passion for competitive running.

Now, as the Eswatini-born Wonder celebrates the completion of his degree at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) autumn graduation, he also reflects on his achievements on the track. From winning at the University Sport South Africa (USSA) Games to finishing 15th out of over 4 000 runners at the Cape Peninsula Half Marathon, he has proven his prowess both academically and athletically.

Balancing a rigorous academic schedule with a budding sporting career is a challenge many students struggle with. Yet, for Wonder, these two worlds complemented each other, offering valuable personal and professional lessons.

“Running has taught me that I’m capable of much more than I ever thought. I only discovered in my 20s that I could run competitively, which showed me that it’s never too late to start something new. It also taught me the power of consistency. If I train consistently for a week, my average speed improves far more than when I’m inconsistent,” he explained.

This discipline carried over into his studies. “After a successful morning run, I dive into my studies with the same focus, ensuring I don’t feel guilty about taking time to train. This has increased my productivity and helped me stay organised. Running has also introduced me to many people and allowed me to learn from their experiences.”

The challenge of balance

As a student-athlete, Wonder faced the daily challenge of managing early morning 15 km runs, long lectures, and late-night study sessions. The mental and physical toll was immense, especially when major races coincided with academic deadlines. Yet, through strategic time management and perseverance, he found ways to excel in both areas.

“I had to make tough choices, sometimes prioritising my studies over training.”

“There were times when my commitments clashed. Like when a cross-country championship overlapped with my exams. I had to make tough choices, sometimes prioritising my studies over training,” he said. “But in the process, I learned the power of adaptability and resilience.”

Despite these hurdles, Wonder found that his two passions reinforced each other. While actuarial science honed his problem-solving skills, running built the discipline and mental fortitude to push through challenges.

“Success isn’t about choosing one passion over another; it’s about finding ways to integrate them,” he said. “More than grades or race times, it’s the lessons learned and the resilience developed that truly define success.”

Overcoming setbacks

For many students, staying motivated during setbacks can be one of the hardest parts of university life. Wonder experienced this firsthand when he sustained an injury while running the Cape Town Marathon and also failed a test badly in the same period.

“Last year, I failed a test – badly. I started questioning whether I should stop running and focus solely on my studies. After all, at the end of the day, you need to know which one is more important,” he admitted. “But then I reminded myself that success is about being more organised. Now, even though I’m injured and can’t run long distances, I still jog short distances at a slow pace. That’s better than doing nothing.”

The mindset for success

Studying at a top institution like UCT while competing in major races can put immense pressure on student-athletes. However, Wonder believes that pressure is often self-imposed.

“Pressure comes from comparing ourselves to others. If you see that most people are passing and you’ve failed, you create unnecessary pressure. Instead, I analyse my results, identify what led to that outcome, and adjust for the future,” he said.

He also emphasised the importance of breaking tasks into manageable steps. “Dividing your workload and knowing how much time you have makes a big difference. The key is to keep doing something, no matter what.”

A proud moment

As he graduates, he has every reason to be proud. “Many students struggle to balance sports and academics, and I did so while pursuing a demanding degree. Representing UCT and performing well makes me proud, especially considering that I started running later than most competitive athletes. My progress has exceeded my own expectations.”

“Representing UCT and performing well makes me proud.”

As an athlete and now the chairperson of the UCT Athletics Club, Wonder is well known on campus. But there are unique aspects of his life that many don’t know about. “Many people don’t know that I truly believe in Christ. Galatians 3:29 reminds me that I am part of a great nation, and this belief fuels my confidence in everything I do. I trust that I will be great because of the promise in that scripture.”

Another little-known fact is his family history. “Most people don’t know that my father was born in 1918. That makes me feel special compared to most of my peers. Not many people have fathers who were over 70 when they were born!”

Words of wisdom

For aspiring student-athletes and graduates, Wonder offers a simple yet powerful message: embrace challenges, stay disciplined, and believe in yourself.

“You’ll achieve more than you ever thought possible,” he affirmed.