A commitment to health and performance
- Wits University
A sport physiotherapist, lifestyle coach, and passionate health advocate – Dr Siya Kunene talks about his background and his upcoming fifth Comrades Marathon.
Wits is committed to promoting health and wellbeing across its community and beyond. This commitment is reflected in facilities such as the recently launched Wits Brian and Dorothy Zylstra Sports Complex, a world-class facility designed to advance sport, health and exercise medicine.
As part of showcasing Wits staff who champion healthy living, we profile Dr Siyabonga Kunene, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physiotherapy, whose dedication to health, performance and purpose extends far beyond the classroom. He will be playing a critical role in the provision of Physiotherapy services in our recently launched sports complex. Wits Communications sat down with him to learn more about his journey from rural KwaZulu-Natal to academia, his passion for sport physiotherapy, and the lessons he has learned through endurance sport, leadership and service.
Can you tell us about your background?
I was born in Driefontein, a rural village in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. My upbringing was simple but deeply formative. Like many children in my community, I grew up walking barefoot, herding livestock, and helping with household responsibilities from a young age. Life required resilience, we walked long distances to school, often in under-resourced environments, but those experiences built character and discipline.
My parents, despite limited formal education, instilled strong values in me - faith, respect, hard work, and perseverance. Education and faith became my lifelines. Even when I had to delay starting school and balance studies with responsibilities like looking after livestock, I remained committed. Those early lessons shaped who I am today.
How does a rural boy end up being a sport and exercise physiotherapist?
Growing up, I didn’t even know what physiotherapy was. But through hard work at school, I earned a bursary to study physiotherapy at MEDUNSA (now Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University). That opportunity changed my life.
From there, my passion for sport, health, and helping others grew. Over time, I specialised in sports and exercise physiotherapy, combining clinical work, academic development, and my personal love for healthy living, which include being involved physical activity.
Today, I see my journey not just as a career path, but as a calling to serve, uplift, and improve the lives of athletes and communities, especially those from underserved backgrounds.
What do you believe is the future of physiotherapy and would you encourage youth to pursue a career in this field?
I believe the future of physiotherapy is incredibly exciting and evolving. It is moving beyond traditional rehabilitation into areas such as:
- Prevention and lifestyle medicine
- Performance optimisation
- Holistic health (physical, mental, and even spiritual wellbeing)
- Community-based care, especially in underserved areas
Physiotherapy is increasingly becoming about helping people live better, not just recover from injury.
I would absolutely encourage young people to pursue this field. It is a meaningful, impactful career that allows you to combine science, movement, and human connection. If you are passionate about helping others and interested in health and performance, physiotherapy offers tremendous opportunities.
You are running your 5th Comrades Marathon, which was the hardest so far and what did you take away from it?
Each Comrades Marathon is unique, but the toughest ones are usually those where everything doesn’t go according to plan - whether due to training that did not go right, challenging conditions, physical fatigue, or mental strain. Those are the races that truly test your character.
What Comrades has taught me is that endurance is not just physical; it is deeply mental and, for me, also spiritual. It requires discipline, patience, and consistency over time. These are not qualities you develop overnight, they are built through preparation and life experience.
Having completed four Comrades Marathons so far, with my best time of 8:58 in 2025, I have learned valuable lessons about resilience, preparation, and trusting the process, especially when things get difficult.
I am also a road cyclist, and I find that combining running and cycling brings both balance and variety to my training. While both sports share similar challenges and benefits, alternating between them helps me avoid monotony and keeps me mentally engaged and motivated. That sense of variety plays an important role in sustaining long-term performance and enjoyment.
Can you share what is your post-comrades run routine?
My post-Comrades routine focuses on recovery and restoration. This includes:
- Active recovery (light movement and mobility work)
- Proper hydration and nutrition
- Rest and sleep
- Gradual return to structured training (after 3 – 4 weeks of recovery period)
Recovery is just as important as preparation. As I often emphasise in my work, the body needs time to repair and adapt after such an extreme endurance event.
For me, the 2nd help of the year (post Comrades), I turn to focus on cycling events more than running. I usually prepare for cycling events like Ride Joburg, a 97km race in November.
You have completed a PGDip in Business Administration, what prompted this and how has it benefited you?
After obtaining my PhD in 2020, I persuade a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration to broaden my perspective beyond clinical and academic work. As healthcare professionals, we often focus on patient care, but leadership, management, and strategic thinking are equally important, especially when you want to influence systems and create sustainable impact.
This qualification has helped me think more strategically about programme development, research impact, business development and management and even initiatives like my podcast (Move & Thrive Podcast). It has strengthened my ability to lead, manage projects, and contribute meaningfully beyond the clinical space.
Who is Dr Siya Kunene outside of Wits?
Outside of academia, I lead a very purpose-driven and balanced life.
I am a husband and father, and family is central to everything I do. I am also deeply rooted in my faith and actively serve as a leader (elder) in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
I am passionate about endurance sports, I run, cycle, and recently started swimming as I prepare for triathlon event (I’m planning to do my first in 2028). Beyond personal participation, I also work as a lifestyle and sports coach, helping others improve their health and performance.
Additionally, I host the Move and Thrive Podcast, where I share insights on health, performance, injury prevention, and holistic wellbeing. It’s a platform for empowering people to live healthier, more balanced lives.
Your final words?
My journey is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and education. From herding livestock in a rural village to working on global sporting stages, I’ve seen how purpose and discipline can transform lives.
My mission is simple: to serve God and humanity through teaching, healing, research, and active engagement. I hope my story inspires others to believe that where you start does not determine where you can go. With commitment, values, and hard work, anything is possible.
I am excited to be working for the University of the Witwatersrand and look forward to continuing working alongside my colleagues in the new sports complex. This opportunity will allow me to contribute to clinical service delivery, teaching, and research in sports and exercise. I am eager to collaborate, innovate, and help advance excellence in athlete care, education, and scientific inquiry.
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