Mandela Marathon recalls 1962 arrest at Howick

THOUSANDS of people turned up to celebrate the Nelson Mandela centenary by participating in the various fun-run events in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands at the weekend.

The highlight was the 42.2km marathon, which started at the Manaye Hall in Edendale where, in 1961, Mandela made his last public speech before his arrest.

Ethiopian runner Sintayehu Legese Yinesu was the first to cross the finish line at the capture site where Mandela was arrested in 1962. Winner of the women’s category was Loice Jebet from Kenya.

Now in its seventh year, the marathon is organised by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and uMgungundlovu District Municipality.

Congratulating the winners, the organising committee said the event lived up to the Mandela 100 theme, #BeTheLegacy.

“Some 24 000 registered runners took part in the legacy, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone present,” Cogta MEC Nomusa DubeNcube said.

Earlier, Mandela’s grandson Mandla witnessed the opening of Edendale Hospital’s newly renovated paediatric ward.

The ward will admit 40 sick children from disadvantaged backgrounds, ranging from newborns to 13-year-olds.

The renovations were sponsored by Absa and The Lion Match Company’s subsidiary company NSP Unsgaard and their brand Cherubs.

Mandla said his grandfather treasured and loved children, so it was befitting that, in celebrating Mandela 100, children be provided a safe and protected environment for them to receive healthcare.