Former Olympian gets second chance

By Ellina Mhlanga
OPPORTUNITIES for the black man were not always equal under the Rhodesian colonial regime, but marathon runner Robson Mulombe defied the odds when he managed to compete in the Olympic Games held in 1964 in Tokyo, Japan.
Born on September 12 1945, Mulombe was one of the two local marathon runners who took part in the 42km event and completed the race in 2hours 17minutes finishing in 56th position.
Mulombe qualified for the Olympic Games when he clocked 2 hours 18 minutes in a 42km race held in Bulawayo in 1964 and was part of the then Rhodesian team that went to the Games.
It was the best thing that could have ever happened to him considering that it was during the colonial era when racism and segregation were the norm of the day with the elite enjoying most of the benefits and priviledges that came with being an outstanding sportsperson.
The 66-year-old recalls the ill-treatment they had to endure because of their skin colour at the games but that did not stop him from defying the odds.
“I started running professionally in 1962 when I joined Wankie Mine. I used to run in the 42km races.
“I ran 2hours 18minutes in a race which was a qualifier in Bulawayo in 1964 and I qualified for the Games. In Japan I ran 2 hours 17minutes and I got injured during the race but I managed to finish the course.
“I was quite excited to participate in the Games. However, there was a lot of segregation, we were not treated well. Most of the times we were hidden in the Games village and were not allowed to go out yet our white teammates were allowed to roam around.
“We did not like what they were doing but we opted to go by the rules that were there. I was quite disappointed because it was direct segregation, we were one team but the others were treated better,” said Mulombe.
Mulombe started running in the early 1950s whilst he was a student at Kanchindu Mission School in Zambia.
“Growing up in the rural areas, the schools we attended were very far and we used to run to school. I attended a school in Zambia and we would cross the Zambezi River by canoe in the morning,” said Mulombe.
The former long distance-runner believes that his life could have been better had he competed now.
“When we ran there was no money, we were given blankets. We had the passion for the sport, then it was different from now.
“Those that are running now are doing it for money. If I had run today I would have been a better man, my life would have been better,” said Mulombe.
Mulombe took part in several competitions locally and used to compete in Zambia and South Africa.
Before he went for the Olympics in 1964 he took part in the Zambia Inter-clubs in Ndola and Lusaka in 1963 where he came first in the marathon.
He won the South Africa Chamber of Mines races in 1966 and the Orange Free State race in the same year. He won the Orange Free State race for the second time in 1970. He went on a winning streak and it was only in 1974 that he came second behind Zisco Steel’s runner, John Shaba.
In 1979 he began coaching other athletes but did not live much in that field as he resigned due to conflicts with other coaches from Wankie who felt threatened by him since he was no longer working for the mine.
Mulombe has been engaged by Twalumba holdings to be the honorary member of the Kujatana Nkubotu peace half marathon that is held annually in Binga.
Twalumba holdings executive chairman Nkululeko Sibanda said Mulombe would be an inspiration for the up and coming athletes.
“We have been running the race for three years in Binga to commemorate the International Day of Peace on September 21 and we normally do it on a Saturday nearest to the 21st.
“As part of our social responsibility we have adopted him (Mulombe) for the image of the race and he would be an inspiration to the athletes. During our research we discovered that there was this guy and we brought him in now as the honorary member of this race. We are trying to use him as an inspiration to other athletes,” said Sibanda.
He added that the veteran runner will be taking part in the marathon this year.
“We are saying here is a legend of the race, it is not about him running and finishing the 21km race, it is about him gracing the event saying this is what gave him fame, unfortunately there was no fortune to back that fame. These are the living legends of the race, he is an icon and an inspiration,” said Sibanda.
Mulombe practised alongside long-distance runner Mathias Kanda, Lot Ndlovu and sprinter, Artwell Mandaza.
The former long-distance runner urged the up and coming athletes to take sports seriously.
“I encourage the young athletes to take sport seriously because even in my old age I don’t feel that old because of the training that I took. My body is still strong, it is something that brought gladness in my life. It is about being passionate,” added Mulombe.