A little running, a cup of coffee and a whole lot of sisterhood.
There is something special about sitting down over a cup of coffee and getting to know the woman behind a community that is creating space for others. For HER Eastern Cape, chatting with Siphokazi Mashinini, the woman behind Strides & Coffee, was an opportunity to learn about the heart behind an initiative that brings women together through running, coffee and meaningful connection.
What started as a personal journey towards better health has grown into a community where women can show up as they are, move at their own pace and build friendships along the way. But as we got to know Siphokazi, it became clear that Strides & Coffee is about much more than exercise. It is about creating a space where women can take a breath, make time for themselves and feel that they belong.
Siphokazi's running journey began after the birth of her second baby. Initially, she took up running to lose weight, but the experience soon became about something deeper.
“Being outdoors, getting onto the road and moving my body became a way for me to refresh my mind and support my mental well-being,” she shares.
Even on days when she did not feel like running, she knew how much better she would feel afterwards. Over time, running became a way for her to care for herself physically and mentally.
Around 2024 and 2025, she began sharing her journey on social media. That was when other women started reaching out. Some wanted to start running but did not know how, while others simply did not want to do it alone.
Initially, Siphokazi wanted to help a few women individually. But she soon realised that bringing them together could create something more sustainable.
“The thought was simple - instead of trying to guide each woman individually, why not create a space where we could start this journey together?” And just like that, Strides & Coffee began.
Looking back, Siphokazi believes there was a bigger purpose behind what started as a simple effort to help others. “Sometimes, what begins as a simple act of helping others can develop into something far greater than you envisioned,” she reflects.
When you hear the name Strides & Coffee, you can probably picture the experience. Women coming together for a run or walk, followed by coffee, conversations and a chance to get to know one another.
For Siphokazi, that combination was intentional. She wanted wellness to feel welcoming rather than intimidating, and coffee offered a natural way for women to connect after moving their bodies.
“For me, the coffee represents more than a beverage. It creates an opportunity for conversation, laughter and connection after the run,” she explains.
It is easy to see how that small detail can make a difference. Not everyone arrives feeling confident, and not every woman is an experienced runner. Some are simply looking for a reason to get out of the house, meet new people or begin taking better care of themselves.
A little running, a cup of coffee and a whole lot of sisterhood.
At Strides & Coffee, the focus is not on who finishes first or who covers the most kilometres. Women are encouraged to participate at their own pace, regardless of their fitness levels or where they are in life.
Siphokazi hopes every woman leaves feeling encouraged and proud of herself, knowing she has found a community where she is welcomed, valued and supported.
Between careers, businesses, motherhood, family responsibilities and the expectations that come with everyday life, making time for personal wellness can be difficult.
Siphokazi believes some of the biggest barriers are time, exhaustion, financial limitations and a lack of confidence. There is also the fear of being judged, especially for women who feel they are not fit enough to join a running group.
Sometimes, the biggest obstacle is believing you need to get fit before you can start exercising. Strides & Coffee challenges that thinking by allowing women to begin wherever they are. You can walk, run, take breaks and gradually build your endurance without feeling pressured to keep up with anyone else.
“I also believe that wellness should not be treated as a luxury or something women only attend to when everything else is taken care of,” she says.
Her message is one many women need to hear, taking care of yourself is not selfish. You can love your family, pursue your career and support others while still making your own well-being a priority.
Ask Siphokazi what most rewarding about building Strides & Coffee has been, and the answer goes beyond running achievements.
She has watched women who were not runners discover a love for the sport, enter races and challenge themselves in ways they might never have imagined. Others have grown in confidence and worked towards personal wellness goals.
But the friendships are just as meaningful. Women have found genuine connections, sisterhood and a sense of belonging. For some, Saturday mornings have become something they look forward to each week, offering a welcome break from their usual responsibilities.
“Ladies have found genuine friendships, sisters and a sense of belonging,” Siphokazi shares.
Hearing that women consider Strides & Coffee their safe space reminds her why she started. The impact is no longer measured only by the distance covered or the number of women who attend. It is also found in the relationships formed and the confidence women gain from being part of the community.
Building and maintaining that connection takes work. Different schedules, family commitments and professional responsibilities can make consistency challenging. Siphokazi has learnt that a community needs more than regular activities. It requires communication, commitment and genuine care for the people involved.
Her focus remains on protecting the heart of Strides & Coffee as it grows. Siphokazi has a bigger vision for Strides & Coffee. While strengthening the community in Gqeberha remains a priority, she hopes to expand across the Eastern Cape and eventually beyond the province.
She also wants to introduce more opportunities for women to explore wellness, including Pilates, padel, fitness activities, workshops and other experiences that encourage them to invest in themselves.
Her long-term dream is to establish a dedicated wellness hub where women can move, connect, recharge and grow, bringing movement, coffee and community together under one roof.
Partnerships with businesses and organisations that share her values will be important to that journey. Through collaborations, events and potentially merchandise, she hopes to develop Strides & Coffee into a sustainable wellness brand while keeping its welcoming spirit intact.
But for now, the heart of the initiative remains the same: bringing women together and helping them realise that they do not have to navigate their wellness journeys alone.
Before we wrapped up our conversation, we returned to the woman who might be interested in joining but feels she is not fit enough, confident enough or ready to begin.
Siphokazi's advice is reassuring. You do not need to run 5km on your first day, and you do not need to match anyone else's pace. You can start by walking, take breaks when you need to and build your confidence over time.
“You don’t have to be ready for the entire journey; you just have to be willing to take the first step,” she says.
Perhaps that is what makes Strides & Coffee so special. It gives women permission to begin without having everything figured out. It offers a reason to get moving, a cup of coffee to look forward to and a community of women who understand the importance of showing up for one another.
For Siphokazi, the vision has grown far beyond the first few women she set out to help. And for the women who have found friendship, confidence and a safe space through Strides & Coffee, those first steps have become part of something meaningful.
Sometimes, all it takes is one woman deciding to start, a few others willing to join her and a community that reminds them they belong.
For more, visit: Strides & Coffee
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