…as she breaks silence on eight-year suspension
…says ban forced her to sell fat cakes on the streets
Leemisa Thuseho
LESOTHO long-distance running sensation, ’Mamoroallo Tjoka, popularly known as the ‘Queen of Soweto’, has broken her silence on her eight-year suspension, saying the ordeal never diminished her belief in her athletic abilities.
Tjoka said she remained convinced throughout the difficult period that no one could take away her talent or end her running career, despite the lengthy ban.
Tjoka, who mostly competed in South Africa under Athletics South Africa, was handed an eight-year suspension by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), which ran from October 2018 to October 2026.
The suspension followed an incident on 7 October 2018, when representatives of the Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) and SAIDS visited her home in Koalabata, Berea, but found that she had evaded a doping test.
She was subsequently charged on 12 June 2019 under Article 2.3 of the 2015 SAIDS Anti-Doping Rules for evading, refusing or failing to provide a sample after being notified, as required by the regulations.
Tjoka unsuccessfully challenged the ban, with her latest appeal dismissed by SAIDS in 2023. Her suspension officially ended in October 2026, paving the way for her return to competitive athletics.
Since returning, Tjoka has already competed in three races, finishing second in the Fat Cats 10km race at Waterfall City Mall of Africa in Gauteng in a time of 36:37.
She also completed the 21.1km Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Big Hole Marathon in South Africa’s Northern Cape in 1:14:46 before securing another second-place finish in the Region 5 10km race in 35:34.
In her first media interview since being suspended in 2018, Tjoka told the Lesotho Times this week that she had accepted her situation and mentally prepared herself to serve the suspension.
“I did not even feel like it was eight years because I had accepted the situation as it was, and I knew I had not done anything wrong,” Tjoka said.
She revealed that the suspension forced her to find alternative ways of making a living, including selling fat cakes on the streets.
“To show that I did not allow it to be the end of my life, I continued with other work. I was selling fat cakes on the streets, and that took my mind away from the situation and helped me focus on other things.
“Another thing that made the time pass quickly was that shortly after my suspension, COVID-19 came, and after that, I was left with only a few years to serve,” she said.
Tjoka said she had stopped training during her suspension and only resumed preparations two months before the ban expired.
“I had not been training, but the fact that I have managed to reach the podium soon after returning shows that no one can take away my talent. I am the only one who can destroy it. It is a gift from God.
“That also shows that in life, one should never be demoralised by other people’s agendas,” she said.
Now 42, Tjoka acknowledged that many people had probably written her off, believing she would never return to competitive running after such a lengthy suspension.
However, she insists that age is no barrier and believes she still has two to three years left in the sport.
“Age is just a number. Only the muscles and bones can tell you when they are tired.
“Even if I had been given 15 years, I would still have returned to compete. I think I still have two to three years to grace the roads and give my supporters what they have always known me for,” she said.
Tjoka also expressed gratitude to Basotho for the love and encouragement they have shown since her return.
“I have seen that Basotho, both in the country and outside, are very happy about my return, and that gives me strength. I am grateful,” she said.
She urged young runners to respect their talent, work hard and strive to reach the heights achieved by established athletes.
Tjoka said she was encouraged by the emerging talent in Lesotho and believed the country had the potential to produce athletes capable of competing at the highest level.
She is expected to return to action this weekend when she competes in the A2Z Dynamic Annual Marathon in Limpopo, South Africa, on Sunday.
Tjoka is one of Lesotho’s most successful long-distance runners, having won the Soweto Marathon five times, an achievement that earned her the nickname ‘Queen of Soweto’.
Her recent podium finishes suggest that, at 42, she remains competitive and still has more to offer the sport.
Among her career highlights, Tjoka represented Lesotho at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, where she also served as the country’s flag bearer. She had previously represented Lesotho at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
