Hezekiel Sepeng – My mission to reignite SA’s 800m flame

On Tuesday evening at 6pm, history will be made in Potchefstroom, where the inaugural Hezekiel Invitational — a Continental Tour Challenger meeting — will light up the track at Puk McArthur Stadium.

But for Sepeng, this is more than just a race meet — it’s the beginning of a revival.

Once the heartbeat of South African athletics, the 800m produced global stars and medals on the biggest stages.

Sepeng himself stood proudly on the Olympic podium, alongside greats like the late Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, while Caster Semenya dominated the women’s event with unmatched brilliance.

Now, a new spark is emerging in the form of Prudence Sekgodiso, whose Olympic final appearance and World Indoor gold medal have reignited belief in the event. Yet, Sepeng admits the men’s 800m still has ground to recover.

“The 800m is not dead — it’s alive and rebuilding,” insists Sepeng. “Yes, countries like Botswana have surged ahead and are dominating right now, but we are learning, adapting, and closing the gap.”

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Working as a high-performance manager at Athletics South Africa, Sepeng sees the bigger picture — a pipeline of talent steadily rising.

Athletes are consistently clocking times in the 1:45–1:46 range, and with the right competition and exposure, he believes breakthroughs are imminent.

He points to rising talents like Edmund du Plessis, who reached the Olympic semifinals before injury halted his momentum, as evidence that South Africa is on the cusp of something special.

“We are not far,” Sepeng said with conviction. “It’s only a matter of time before we see athletes running 1:43, even 1:42 again. That’s where we belong — among the best in the world.”

Central to that mission is the Hezekiel Invitational itself. By placing the 800m at the heart of the event, with strong prize incentives and quality competition, Sepeng hopes to create a platform where athletes can chase fast times, build confidence, and open doors to global opportunities — from the Commonwealth Games to the World Championships and the Olympic Games.

Behind the scenes, a powerful support system is also taking shape. Renowned coach Jean Verster continues to nurture young talent, while Sepeng’s brother Samuel leads a dedicated middle-distance group.

At the same time, Caster Semenya is driving excellence on another front, and a new generation of coaches is stepping up with fresh ideas and hunger.

“My invitational is about adding quality and belief back into the 800m,” Sepeng explains. “This is our flagship event, and it’s where the comeback begins.”

For a man who once carried the nation’s hopes on his shoulders, Sepeng is now passing the baton — not just to the next generation of athletes, but to a future where South Africa’s 800m legacy rises again.