You’d think Thulani Sibisi would be used to winning given his standing as a former Two Oceans Marathon champion.
And having been victorious in a long-standing legal battle for his Orlando West house in Soweto, you would expect him to take successes in his stride.
This, after all, is a man who is still standing strong despite battling prostate cancer for over a decade now.
But when the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa conferred on him the Legacy Award during an intimate ceremony in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Sibisi resembled a first time victor - his emotions getting the better of him.
The 1986 winner of the famous 56km Mother City marathon broke down and shed tears as he accepted the award and the words of praise spoken of him for his activism in spreading the word about prostate cancer.
“Sometimes you run out of words,” his voice cracked. “I was never honoured in this way. Never in my life have I been honoured like this – to stand publicly for an event that is organised especially for me. Yes, I won Two Oceans but this is different. My tears are not because of anything that is bad, they are tears of joy. I have worked with very good people who have helped me in life.”
Although he was right on that score, this day was all about what he has done to help others, and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa wanted him to know they value his contribution to their cause.
The citation on the certificate read: “In appreciation of and recognition for the exceptional impact that you have made while serving in your role as vice-chairman of the Patient Affairs Board. Your contribution to raising awareness about prostate cancer in South Africa and supporting prostate cancer survivors has been recognised as exceptional for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and its members, your peers, the media, the athletics world and members of the public.”
A truer citation there could be no other and Patient Affairs Board chairman Iain Johnston – himself a prostate cancer survivor – added to it.
“Thulani’s Two Oceans Marathon victory and his fight for his home in Soweto showed his tenacity as a man. But what he has done for the Prostate Cancer Foundation is incredible. Thulani, you have no idea how many people you have impacted. Please take the kudos for the work you have done and the impact you have made. You are an inspiration. Personally, when I get victim mentality, I always think of you Thulani. You are an amazing human being.”
Amazing indeed, for despite his own personal struggles with the cancer that has him no longer the strapping athlete who was always a challenger for honours during the late 80s in big races such as Two Oceans and the City to City Marathons, Sibisi has prioritised making men aware of the dangers of prostate cancer.
An ever present at the Two Oceans that has given him the platform to spread the word, Sibisi will always be found encouraging men to go for the test lest they get diagnosed too late - as he was.
He is particularly active in Soweto where he works very closely with the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital’s Oncology Unit to educate men about the dangers of prostate cancer and is a pillar of strength and encouragement for those suffering from the disease.
He continues to participate in the famed Hollard Daredevil Run which sees men racing in purple Speedos in a bid to ‘run the cancer out of town’.
He may have shed tears on Tuesday, but there can be no denying Sibisi is a strong man as evidenced by his brave battle against a cancer that would have long seen many succumbing.
“You have to be resilient,” he said. “You can’t survive anything if you are not resilient and you can’t survive if you are not positive. I challenge everything positively and if I lose it, I lose it.”
Although no longer a competitive runner, Sibisi has lost nothing. And he continues to inspire, educate and encourage.
No wonder the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa felt it imperative to honour him the way they did.