Born and raised in the humble surroundings of Mafeteng, Lesotho, Mosiuoa Joshua Pholoana is steadily carving his name into the road-running scene. Now based in Olievenhoutbosch, west of Pretoria, Joshua runs alongside fellow athletes including Strike Madubana and Paul Lelefa under the management of Joe Manciya, continually pushing himself to compete at a higher level. A dedicated 10km and half-marathon athlete, Joshua has competed in regional and international long-distance races, proudly representing both Lesotho and South Africa.
His recent performances tell the story of an athlete who is hungry for progress. At the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, he clocked an impressive 1:07:54 over 21km. He also recorded 1:06:51 at the Maftown Half Marathon 2026 in North West. At this year's Wally Hayward Marathon in Centurion, Joshua finished on the podium behind current Comrades Marathon champion George Kurch and ahead of established South African and international Champion Stephen Mokoka, another significant experience in his developing career.
He is also the current men's champion of the Sunrise Monster Half Marathon, where he recorded a winning time of 1:12:45. Most recently, Joshua added another podium finish to his growing résumé, taking second place at the Eyethu Fitness Test Road Race on the R55 west of Pretoria. All these achievements are done without neither a running club nor a sponsor. But for Joshua, these achievements are not the destination — they are stepping stones. He is currently preparing for his debut at the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K, scheduled for 18 October, with the goal of setting a new personal best.
Before that, he has his sights firmly set on improving his 21km PB at the Jeppe Marathon on 20 September. Beyond the stopwatch and the podium, Joshua carries a bigger dream: To represent Lesotho with pride at local, national and international road-running events. And his long-term ambition is even greater — to make the transition to the full marathon, with the dream of one day pacing the historic 100th edition of the Comrades Marathon, the Ultimate Human Race.
His journey is a reminder that great athletes can come from humble beginnings. With discipline, belief and the right people around him, the road ahead for Mosiuoa Joshua Pholoana is only getting longer — and faster. “No man is an island.” “Imitation is limitation.” The journey continues. The dream is alive. The road is calling.