A bodybuilder with roots in Vhembe, Thembho Manganyi, will be participating in the 2022 NPC (National Physique Committee)'s African Pro Qualifier for the International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB) tournament. The qualifying rounds will take place at the Walter Sisulu Hall at the Randburg Sports Centre from 2 to 4 December.
Manganyi was born and bred in Waterval. He started his primary education at Djunane Primary and matriculated at Makhado Comprehensive High. He graduated from the Nelson Mandela University, where he studied for a degree in information technology.
He started doing bodybuilding in 2019 and competed in his first tournament in 2020. "I was taught to believe in my dreams and myself. Bodybuilding is a is a tough sport that requires a lifestyle of commitment, hard training and constantly perfecting one's body through discipline. There is no room for alcohol and other toxic substances. The diet on its own is challenging as you always have to stick to healthy food. You can't eat any form of junk food, which is not always easy, but because I know what I want to achieve as a bodybuilder, I don't allow myself to get distracted from my goals," he said.
To Manganyi, what helps him to fulfil his passion every day is the grace and wisdom of God. "Bodybuilding is a good sport that stops young people from engaging in bad habits, such as drugs and alcohol, because you spend lots of time at the gym and focussing on being healthy. But it is a costly sport that demands a lot of financial support, which can be another challenge."
He said that bodybuilding was sometimes associated with arrogance, bullying and negative pride. This, he believes, is stereotypical thinking. He also wants to change the perception that the heavy use of steroids is a requirement for this sport.
Manganyi said that he had trained very hard for this competition and he promised his fans that he would come back with silverware. "My main goal is to go further into professional bodybuilding. I am ready for that," he said.