Running for premature children

AS thousands of runners streamed through the finish line at yesterday’s Comrades Marathon, two brothers were running to give babies born prematurely a fighting chance at life.

Andile and Ayanda Mbele were running to raise awareness for children who are born prematurely at public hospitals.

Ayanda, a gynaecologist, said babies who were born in the private sector had a better chance of survival because their parents could afford to give them the best medical treatment, which was not the case at public hospitals.

He said this represented the inequality that was present in South African society.

“We can’t afford health care in South Africa, it is really expensive,” Ayanda said.

He said they started a foundation called Teddy The Tiny Foundation.

The brothers, who are originally from Mount Ayliff, Eastern Cape, said they hoped the non-profit organisation would help ignite social change in South Africa.

The organisation also looked to provide emotional support for mothers, he said.

Ayanda, who ran his fourth race, said this was the first time he was doing it with his brother Andile.

They finished the race together in 11 hours, 40 minutes and 15 seconds.

“It was a tough race, and it is not an easy race to finish.”

Andile, 40, said it was a case of mind over matter. “We programmed our minds that we will create a strategy to support each other throughout the race,” said the Margate resident, who was running his first Comrades.