Every marathon begins with a single step, and every academic journey starts with a vision. For Ntuthuko Ngcamu, both paths demanded endurance, discipline and unwavering determination. His recent achievement of earning a Master of Business Leadership (MBL) degree from the Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL), while excelling as a marathon runner, is a powerful testament to what is possible when passion meets perseverance.

Ngcamu says, "It really feels unreal and is another proud moment, not only for me, but for my family as a whole, especially my children. Being the first one in the family to achieve this milestone also makes other family members realise that they can do it too." He explains, "I hold a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering, and I've been fortunate to work in both the private and public sectors in South Africa, as well as across several countries in the SADC region, focusing mainly on water engineering."

Reflecting on his athletic journey, Ngcamu shares that his passion for marathon running began at a young age. "It started when I was still in primary school. We used to run around the streets of Umlazi, and that love carried through into high school. Running keeps me fit and away from most troubles." He adds that one of his biggest motivations was the Comrades Marathon slogan: "Every South African must run the Comrades Marathon at least once in their lifetime".

He continues: "I've completed nine consecutive Comrades Marathons and missed my tenth this year because I had an accident in May and couldn't qualify for my green number. I have also completed two Washie 100 Miler races, that's 161 km of road running."

Ngcamu also speaks about his passion for engineering and innovation. "I’ve always had a strong interest in new engineering developments happening around the world. I wanted to pursue a Master's in Civil Engineering, but I found it discouraging that students spend years developing solutions that are rarely implemented. Many of those ideas just collect dust while much of our infrastructure continues to deteriorate."

He adds that his upbringing played a role in shaping his curiosity about leadership. "I grew up in a family with prominent political leaders, and I wanted to understand why leadership is failing us as a country." Ngcamu describes himself as highly disciplined. "I'm very disciplined, especially when it comes to managing my time. I plan everything in advance, important deadlines, tests, races and family responsibilities, using my calendar."

He highlights the importance of a strong support system: "Having a disciplined and committed cohort is crucial. Our evening discussions were very productive and everyone contributed positively. My training is usually done in the mornings and rarely takes more than two hours during the week. Since competitions have become expensive, I only target a few races each year, which allows me to spend more time with my family on weekends."

He links his success to key personal qualities. "Discipline, time management, and mental toughness are what enabled me to take on my MBL and succeed. These qualities are interconnected; you cannot be consistent without discipline and the mental strength to finish what you start." Ngcamu emphasises servant leadership as a core principle. "I believe strongly in being a servant leader. I belong to a running club, and when I'm not racing, I support others, whether it’s cheering them on, cleaning up, or taking equipment back to the clubhouse. Even though I couldn't run this year’s Comrades, I was out there from early morning until the last runner passed, supporting on the road. Our leaders must learn to serve, rather than always expecting to be served."

Regarding his MBL journey, he says: "I enrolled in the programme to become a better leader, to better understand team dynamics and improve my decision-making. The experience has not only transformed me, but also my team. They were part of my research, and we often discussed the findings together. This helped us build a strong team with a shared vision."

One of his most defining experiences came during his second Washie 100 Miler race. "The race starts at 17:00 and runs through the night into the next day. You rely heavily on your support system because there are no refreshment stations like in normal races. My friends supported me for the first 80 km, but then they disappeared to rest. I was left running alone in the dark from around 02:30 to 04:00 without food or support."

"That experience taught me a powerful leadership lesson: while support is important, there are moments when you must continue alone. In leadership, this is similar to making difficult, unpopular decisions that others may not support." Summing up his journey, Ngcamu describes it as "empowering and transformational." It has broadened my knowledge, helped me grow professionally and personally, and made me a better leader.”

He concludes: "That experience captures everything I believe in. However, I still have many questions, especially around political leadership, and I want to continue exploring them. Who knows, I might even pursue a PhD next year." 

* By Talana Lebelo: Alumni Relations Specialist, Unisa SBL