Maria Kanyanga’s Coach Mr Nkumbwa Simon Shares Her Journey from Mukekete to the World
A dedicated teacher and athletics coach at Kandjimi Murangi Senior Secondary School, Mr Nkumbwa Simon, has shared the inspiring journey of his rising long-distance runner, Maria Kanyanga, in an exclusive interview with The Updated World.
At just 19 years old, Maria has already built an impressive record, claiming eight gold medals across various competitions. Her steady rise through the athletics ranks reflects natural talent, discipline, and strong support from her coach and school community.
Maria Kanyanga, who comes from Mukekete village in Tondoro Constituency, Kavango West Region, is fast emerging as one of Namibia’s most promising young long-distance athletes.
Mr Simon began coaching her in 2023 when she was still a Grade 7 learner at Sitopogo Combined School. From the beginning, she showed promise across multiple track events, including the 400m, 800m, 1500m, and 3000m distances.
“I saw something special in her from the beginning,” he said. “Even though our training environment was not ideal, her determination and natural ability stood out. I knew that with proper guidance, she could develop into a strong athlete.”
After completing her primary education, Maria moved to Kandjimi Murangi Senior Secondary School, where her training became more structured under Mr Simon’s guidance. To ensure she could compete at recognized competitions, she was registered with Utokero Athletic Club, which is affiliated with Namibia Athletic. Despite this, most of her training continues on school grounds.
Like many young athletes from underprivileged backgrounds, Maria’s journey has not been without challenges. One of the earliest obstacles was access to proper running gear.
“As a long-distance runner, she needed quality shoes, but we initially had to rely on basic footwear from local shops, which was not suitable for her level,” Mr Simon explained.
Her breakthrough came during her first competition in Rundu, where she won approximately N$1,200 in prize money. She invested part of her winnings into proper running shoes, with additional support from her coach.
The school community at Kandjimi Murangi Senior Secondary School also played a key role, assisting her with essential sporting needs and ensuring she could continue competing.
Maria further gained recognition after winning the Nedbank “Run for Your City” 10km race, where she was rewarded with running shoes, which she continues to use in training and competition.
Beyond athletics, Maria’s personal background reflects significant challenges. She lives with her grandfather and has limited knowledge about her father, who she was told is alive but remains largely absent from her life. Her grandfather, who once played a support role, is currently in poor health.
The school has registered her as a needy learner, allowing her to stay in the hostel without paying fees. Mr Simon also provides personal support when necessary, including basic necessities such as toiletries.
“Sometimes I assist her with toiletries and small needs. When she wins competitions, she also manages to support herself,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Maria has remained consistent and focused. Since joining Kandjimi Murangi, she has competed in numerous events, often finishing in first or second place.
Her performances over the past year have been particularly impressive. She won in Omaruru, finished second in a 10km race in Windhoek, and secured second place at the Region 5 Championships in South Africa.
This year, she continued her strong form with wins in Swakopmund in both the 1500m and 3000m events, followed by a first-place finish at Under-20 level in Windhoek. She went on to dominate national competitions, winning multiple medals.
Her most recent success came at the Hardap Championships in Mariental, where she delivered a dominant performance, winning the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m events and finishing as the top-ranked female athlete overall.
Now, Maria and her coach are focused on a major milestone: qualification for the World Athletic U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon (USA). Her target in the 1500m is 4 minutes 27 seconds. She is currently close, running around 4 minutes 33 seconds.
“We are not only focusing on winning races anymore,” Mr Simon said. “Our main goal is to improve her time and reach the qualifying standard.”
Maria is currently preparing for Southern African Confederation of Athletics (SACA) U/18 and U/20 championships in Mauritius from 5 – 7 June 2026 in the 1500m event, she has been training intensively under Mr Simon.
This will be her third international appearance, and expectations are high following strong past performances.
“With international competitions, anything can happen,” Mr Simon added. “But we are hopeful for a strong performance, and more importantly, we are targeting that qualifying time.”
From a rural village background to international competition, Maria Kanyanga’s coach believe she is rising star. With continued support and proper guide, she is steadily moving closer to achieving her global athletics dream.
