This Women’s Month showcased talents and extraordinary successes of women from all walks of life.
One such woman is Maria da Graça de Oliveira, an athlete.
Oliveira, 63, was born in Portugal and moved to South Africa in 1967, when she was 6-years-old.
She is now a personal assistant to the MD of Miladys, with a family of her own, which inspired her running career.
“I started running at 21, in 1983, when I got married. My husband, Eloi, was already an established runner and I decided to join him and he discovered that I had some talent that could be developed and has been coaching me ever since. During a span of many years we were the top running couple in the country, always making the provincial teams to compete at the national championships.”
Over Oliveira’s 41-year-long running career, she has ran many races, ranging from middle distance on the track, cross country and road running, from 5km, 10km, 15km, half marathon (21km), marathons (42.2km), ultra marathons, Two Oceans 56km, Comrades and South African representation at World Championship events.
“I have achieved seven gold medals out of 10 Comrades marathons, and 10 gold medals out of 13 Two Oceans 56km.”
She has placed in the top 10 in the Comrades Marathon seven times, having been 2nd and 3rd in the years 1999 and 2000.
She has also received numerous achievement awards, including: Natal Lady Road Runner of the Year, Kwazulu Natal Sportswoman of the Year, Western Province Lady Road Runner of the Year and Kwazulu-Natal Premier Award for lifetime achievement. She also achieved Springbok colours on road and Junior Bok colours in cross-country, and was selected for the South African marathon team for the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia in 1998.
She has completed 106 Spar Ladies 10km races since their inception in 1992, and her running career is so vast that she holds the title of the athlete with the most Spar races run to date.
“I have podiumed at most National Championships across all the distances right from when I was still a senior, and continued to podium as I moved into the 40+ and 50+ age categories, and am still podiuming in my current age category, 60 – 69 years.”
Although running sees many men athletes, she affirms that there is gender equality in running.
“I definitely see female inclusivity in running. That is why I am so passionate about the Spar Ladies races. It gives us females time to connect and be competitive with one another and it also gives us females a chance to be the first across the line, unlike in a mixed race whereby a male will cross the line first.
“I think that competitive running has reached a point where both men and women get the same praise for doing the same sport.”
She has always been inspired by South African Olympian and fellow female athlete, Elana van Zyl Meyer.
“She continues to do great work in the development of young athletes, as the CEO and founder of Endurocad. The other woman that inspires me is Sifan Hassan, from the Netherlands, who medalled in the 5 000m, 10 000m on the track and the marathon (gold) at the 2024 Paris Olympics. I admire her tenacity, her strength, her sportsmanship and warmth and her humility, understanding her difficult start to life.
“Female athletes should never limit themselves and always give of their best at all times. Believe in yourself and set yourself realistic goals, so that when you achieve those goals, you can consider yourself a winner.
“I think because of who I am and my achievements, I inspire other women to achieve as well. I inspire them to never limit themselves and to always be the best they can be. I am always available to give some advice and also to praise other women for their achievements, be it in running, work or any other areas of their lives.”