By Patience Makwele

From the dusty school fields of Ehungiro village in the Otjinene constituency to the bright lights of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Tjipekapora Herunga’s story is one of grit and national pride. The former sprinter is channelling her experience into building future champions through the Tjipekapora Herunga Athletics Academy.
Herunga, who still holds Namibia’s national 400-metre record of 51.24 seconds set in Pretoria in 2012, says her rise began with a simple love for running. 
“Even in primary school, I enjoyed running. I did not mind what distance I was running at first, I just liked being on the track,” Herunga explained. 
She first tested her talent across events from the 100m to the 1500m, a range that built her stamina and later powered her signature event. It was in fact a decision by Omaheke sport officer Stanley Tjozongoro to push her to choose between netball and athletics which proved decisive in her career. 
Herunga went on to collect bronze medals in both the 200m and 400m races at the 2011 All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique and repeated a 400m bronze in 2015 in Brazzaville, Congo. She represented Namibia at the 2012 Summer Olympics and at several World Championships. 
“Reaching the Olympics, setting national records and medalling at continental competitions felt like a statement, that someone from my background can achieve [these] high levels,” she said.
Breaking the long-standing 400m record of her childhood hero Agnes Samaria Veino was especially meaningful. 
“It was a landmark moment. I beat a previous national legend’s record. The record of my role model.” 
Herunga describes the Olympics as a lesson in resilience and discipline adding that competing at the London 2012 Olympics and multiple World Championships mad her realize how intense and competitive the sport is at the highest level. 
“It taught me discipline, sacrifice and the importance of keeping my focus, regardless of external pressure.” 
After six years in Jamaica studying sport science at the University of Technology, Herunga trained alongside elite athletes including Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price. 
“Having access to stronger training partners and coaches in Jamaica pushed my performance. Studying sport science gave me knowledge of anatomy, physiology, conditioning, coaching principles and injury prevention, which complements the athletic training itself.”
Armed with that experience, she launched her own athletics academy to mentor young Namibians. 
“I come from humble beginnings and benefitted from support, coaching, and exposure that helped me reach international competitions. I would likely want to give back and make similar pathways more accessible to others.”
Herunga tells her athletes that success is about more than medals as: “It is not just about running fast. It is about building people who are strong, focused and proud of who they are.” 
She draws on personal setbacks, including missing the 2016 Olympics despite qualifying, to teach her mental toughness. 
“[These includes] bouncing back from setbacks, rejection, or poor races, staying motivated without external rewarded, learning to visualize success and use positive self-talk.” 
Her advice to future generation remains: “Dream big, but work harder. Respect the journey. Education matters. Never neglect your education. Sport is powerful, but life after sport is real.” 
To young athletes in every Namibian village, her message is one of belief and persistence. 
“If I could make it from Ehungiro to the Olympic Games, so can you. However, you have to believe, and you have to do the work, every single day.”