By inCity Magazine Staff | inHERit Series
When Akhona Ketwa speaks about endurance, she isn’t talking about medals. She’s talking about becoming. A triathlete, clinical psychology intern, and former lecturer, Akhona represents a new generation of African women who are redefining strength through movement, purpose, and mental wellness. Her journey is not one of arrival but of evolution. It’s a story of intellect meeting grit, and healing meeting motion.
From the Lecture Hall to the Finish Line
Before endurance sport became her language, Akhona’s world revolved around education. She spent five years lecturing at Walter Sisulu University, mentoring students and exploring the art of human development. She later pursued postgraduate studies at Rhodes University and earned her first Master’s in Research, a journey that awakened her curiosity about resilience and behavior.
“Teaching taught me empathy and patience,” she says. “It showed me how people learn, grow, and overcome.” That curiosity led her to clinical psychology, where she now helps others process their own emotional challenges. But when life grew heavy, sport became her release. What began as a way to clear her mind turned into a calling. Running, swimming, and cycling became her form of meditation – a place where words weren’t necessary.
When Movement Becomes Medicine
Her turning point came not in victory but in vulnerability. “I fractured my ankle four times learning to ride a bike,” she recalls. “Two surgeries later, I had to sit still for the first time in my life.” For someone who found healing in motion, immobility was devastating. But that stillness became a new teacher.
“I realized my worth wasn’t tied to performance. Rest can also be strength.” That realization changed everything. When she returned to racing, she did so not as an athlete chasing speed but as a woman embodying balance.
Redefining Strength and Community
Akhona’s brand of strength isn’t loud. It’s layered, soft, and spiritual. “Strength is not the absence of struggle,” she says. “It’s the grace to keep going despite it.” She shares her experiences openly, using social media to start conversations about grief, burnout, and resilience – topics often kept private in African households. “Endurance sports may look individual, but they’re built on community,” she explains. “Every finish line I’ve crossed was made possible by people.”
Her transparency has made her digital platforms more than just athletic journals. They’ve become sanctuaries for women learning to balance ambition and vulnerability. Through her storytelling, she’s helping others see that movement is both therapy and transformation.
Lessons from the Ironman
The Ironman 70.3 in Durban was one of her defining moments. “It was not just about endurance. It was about confronting self-doubt,” she says. “Endurance isn’t about overpowering your body. It’s about listening to it.” She learned that surrender can be as powerful as strength.
Her philosophy separates a finisher from a transformer. “A finisher crosses the line. A transformer becomes someone new in the process,” she says. That distinction is what makes Akhona’s story resonate beyond sport. She doesn’t just race; she evolves.
Purpose Over Perfection
Authenticity is her currency. She resists the urge to curate perfection online. “I share the sweaty moments, the bad days, the reflections after failure,” she says. “Authentic storytelling isn’t about control. It’s about connection.” For Akhona, partnerships and collaborations must follow that same rule. “Marketing fades, but purpose endures,” she says. “The best collaborations are rooted in shared values. They educate, empower, and leave an imprint.”
Empowerment as a Daily Practice
To women who are still finding their rhythm, Akhona offers gentle truth. “Empowerment is permission. To start small. To rest. To define success on your own terms,” she says. She hopes young girls in South Africa see her not as an unreachable ideal but as a living invitation to possibility. “You don’t have to choose between intellect and athleticism, softness and strength,” she insists. “Becoming is not linear. It’s layered and deeply personal.”
The Road Ahead
Looking toward, Akhona’s calendar is full. Yet her next evolution isn’t just physical. “I’m embracing the identity of a hybrid athlete – someone who integrates mind, body, and purpose,” she says. “It’s about holistic strength and connection.”
If endurance and mental wellness had a slogan, hers would be simple. Keep Becoming. Because healing, growth, and excellence are not destinations. They’re lifelong companions.
When asked what one habit readers can start tomorrow, she smiles. “Consistency over intensity. Start small — a short walk, a deep breath, a journal entry. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s presence.”