Stanley Masuku was working in Johannesburg and looking for greener pastures when he contacted an old friend who had set up home in East London.
He was immediately encouraged to make a move.
Arriving in East London in 2009, Masuku found employment as a Daily Dispatch newspaper seller outside the Christian Centre in Abbotsford. He remained happily in his position for several years.
He impressed local businesses and residents with his friendly disposition and work ethic and was ultimately offered employment by the then-owner of the Abbotsford Veterinary Clinic, Alan Southey.
And when the business changed hands and Coen de Bruin took over, he was a natural fit for a man who, like Masuku, was a runner, among other sporting activities.
It was his new boss who introduced him to the Oxford Striders.
Selling the Daily Dispatch had another huge impact on his life as he met his wife-to-be, Nyameka, who also sold newspapers for a living. They married in Zimbabwe on September 14 2024.
Masuku has built up his running fortunes, suffered the odd injury and learnt much in recent years.
He ran a pleasing 7:23 silver Comrades on the 2023 down run and then a 7:40 on the up run in 2024.
This year has been an outstanding year for the 35-year-old, who finished fourth in the 2025 Buffs Marathon, fourth in the Brac Half Marathon and fifth in the Real Gijimas-organised Zwelitsha to Mdantsane 50km.
The proverbial cherry on top was his trip to the Two Oceans 56km Ultra Marathon, where he ran a 3:43:55, finishing second among the Border-Kei region runners and earning a comfortable silver medal on the toughest silver “course-distance-time” combination in the land.
Comparing Masuku to Border’s first Two Oceans man, Malixole Kalideni of Old Selbornians, may be a bit premature, but gives one much to ponder.
Kalideni ran a 3:58:40 at his first attempt and a 3:42:54 at his second, so just a minute and one second faster than Masuku.
Kalideni has, however, since run a personal best of 3:15:36.
During this year’s Two Oceans, Masuku ran with the fourth-placed woman, Carla Molinaro of Hollywood Athletics KZN, for quite a distance and readily admits the television camera played a role in that decision, but it also spurred him on.
Molinaro eventually finished 10 seconds ahead of him.
Next up is a third Comrades Marathon and being a down run, which he has already found easier than the up, a personal best is a distinct possibility. Could that deliver a 6:30 or faster?
Running is not a cheap sport any longer, certainly not if travel is part of the programme as it is in Masuku’s case.
He is thus particularly appreciative of the assistance afforded him by De Bruin.
His boss is a tough competitor, be it on a cycle or in running shoes, and thus also offers much encouragement and advice, while his shoe sponsor is Mapelo Nabe, whom he met through his positive nature.
The 2025 shoes have worked perfectly thus far, as did those that came before.
Masuku also gives credit to his family and friends who have supported him throughout.
The next big marathon, after the Comrades, on Masuku’s agenda is the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in October.
He hopes to chase a personal best time and show his wife of just over a year the Mother City. A 2:25 marathon, maybe?
Daily Dispatch
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