Buhle Nontswabu was only 14 years old when his mother passed, leaving him to assume much of the responsibility for the well-being of his six younger siblings.
The tragedy that befell the single-parent family from Flagstaff in June, 2015, forced the first-born to become the man of the house overnight.
Being thrust into that situation in his early teens was terrifying, but nine years on Nontswabu will tell you that it gave him the steely resolve required to succeed in life and the sporting arena.
Last month, the final-year Bachelor of Science student stunned the country’s bodybuilding fraternity by winning silver medals at both the University Sports South Africa (USSA) and provincial championships.
What made his achievement extra special was the fact that he had been representing Fort Hare in athletics as a 100m specialist only a few months prior.
However, as much as he was competitive in the lanes, he never felt it was the right fit.
“I joined UFH athletics last year, but it just wasn’t for me,” the 23-year-old admitted.
“I looked at myself, this body I have and realised it was not the body of a track-and-field athlete. That’s why I made the switch to bodybuilding.

Fort Hare bodybuilding bolter Buhle Nontswabu has overcome colossal challenges to excel in his chosen sport and studies. Photo: Full Stop Communications
“It just felt more comfortable.”
More than, it turned out.
Stepping onto the stage at his maiden USSAs in Vanderbilpark, he brushed off the taunts of more experienced competitors to flex his way to second on the podium.
As nervous as he was, he remembered coach Chris Nguta saying he should always flex his “beautiful” leg muscles.
In that moment he also channelled inspiration from the videos he had been watching of now-retired American bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman, who had won eight Mr Olympia titles.
When his name was announced as the U65kg runner-up, a deafening silence befell those who had been ridiculing his physique earlier.
At the following week’s provincials, Nontswabu, who had expected his rivals to dominate, was again surprised by his second place.
His second silver in as many weeks all but confirmed that the sport was in his genes. It also proved that he could prevail despite life’s challenges.
“Before my mom died, she told me that I would be the one to lead the family. She told me I needed to set an example for my three brothers and three sisters and do this with respect and dignity.”
“I had a lot of responsibility on my shoulders; that’s where my self-discipline comes from.”
Thankfully his uncle also rallied around the family, as had his high school teachers. The latter helped him with “many, many things” to ensure he could matriculate and register at UFH.
Nontswabu credits much of his breakout success in bodybuilding to the no-carb diet of cucumber, lettuce, apple cider vinegar, chicken breast and eggs prescribed by Nguta.
Should he be accepted into the university’s BSc Honours programme, he hoped to have one more crack at the USSAs.
Having come through some of the toughest times imaginable, his message to his peers was to follow their heart.
“You will learn. Some of us are fortunate to make it, others aren’t, but give everything a chance. You never know what can happen.”