Joggers raise funds for children in need
OVER 300 people celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the late Nelson Mandela, by participating in a jog through the city centre yesterday.
The Event was hosted by the Yes We Can Sport & Jazz Foundation in partnership with Nantes Athletics Club.
“Sport is very important and Nelson Mandela supported walking and sport as part of his routine,” said the founder and executive director of Yes We Can Sport & Jazz, Rod Solomons.
The jog started and ended outside the City Hall for its particular relevance to Madiba, being the location he delivered his first speech as a free man.
Solomons said the foundation would be identifying the beneficiaries of the event in partnership with the Nantes Athletics Club and with the support of the City of Cape Town and WP Athletics. “We’ll be donating all proceeds and donations to learners from disadvantaged schools in Athlone,” he said.
Yes We Can Sport & Jazz aims to keep young people off the streets by empowering them through sport, supporting their education and uplifting entire communities in the process.
Attendees were encouraged to purchase tickets prior to the event. The proceeds will go towards providing children in disadvantaged communities and schools with training shoes. Some of the proceeds will be used towards hiring two sports coaches. The foundation also hopes to donate towards a programme that offers bursaries to children who display talent and potential in sports.
“Sport is important to the overall education of children,” said Solomons. “It’s important to the development of youth, especially at an early age. Sport has the ability to unite people.”
The event marked the first of an annual walk and jog in honour of Mandela. The foundation, pleased with the outcome, and the turnout of participants, expects to host this event every year on the first Sunday following Mandela Day.
The primary school beneficiaries will be announced by Yes We Can Sport & Jazz and Nantes Athletic Club when they are identified.
Solomons said they were still accepting donations.
PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS TRAINING SHOES FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN