Madam teacher Sally was her name and I was in Primary Two when I first heard her say these words of ‘wisdom’ which I later learnt was also the motto of a school, ‘determination is the key.’ Determination is the key word for me as I sat and watched the 2012 Olympics 3000 meters steeple chase race where one of the very key participants or at least the one who evoked most attention was Dorcus Inzikuru.
She has been a gold medalist before and then things took sort of a downward trend for her after she gave birth to her first child and then went through challenges in her relationship, news which was awash in all news media in Uganda.
Dorcus is known to me, being an OG from Secondary School. Since the days of her ascent to stardom and glory, I have never had chance to meet with, let alone being in touch. So I am not going to claim to have been the one who made her win the gold medals she did.
Driving around northern by-pass, Kyebando or Bukoto areas in the outskirts of Kampala city you would not miss her doing her thing, every morning. Most often she would be alone, appear so focused, speeding as she run and would wave at people who cared to wave at her.
One fortunate morning I by passed her around Kyebando, she saw me and I stopped to greet this old friend. She was breathing hard, looked sweaty from her morning jogging. She showed me the house she was staying in after some two three minutes chat and said she was preparing for the Olympics qualifiers. I did not know when or where they were meant to be though I wished her well and we parted. I was so happy to later learn that she actually qualified for the 2012 London Olympics.
Knowing where she hails from and the things she had been through, you would see a person determined and single hearted at succeeding again especially having tasted the sweetness of success on a world stage. Personal determination, self drive, hard work and simplicity are few of the memorable qualities she exudes from her personality.
Today saw her win that same race she won a few years back again. Don’t scold me please! I know she did not get the gold or silver or even the bronze! You could see her strive as though exhaustibly as she through her strides on the track.
She staged what Madam Teacher Sally said to me so long ago, determination! Going through her experiences, pushing through nearly alone with so little, if any, support from her country, she was my heroine today! Time, given time and with the right resources, that same key can and will earn her another gold.
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