Sowetan

Madiba’s centenary year ends in fun walk, run

Thousands expected at Pretoria jamboree

- – Sowetan Reporter

Former president Nelson Mandela’s centenary celebratio­ns will come to a rousing end in Pretoria on December 9, when thousands of South Africans gather for the annual Mandela Remembranc­e Walk and Run.

Hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, together with the Gauteng province, this year’s event will begin and end at the Union Buildings and will be a fun day out for the whole family.

Nearly 20000 people participat­ed in last year’s successful Remembranc­e Walk and Run and over 30 000 people are expected to attend this year.

The walk will be held alongside the Nelson Mandela Liberation Route, a significan­t tourist attraction, which boasts various heritage sites linked to the former president’s political history. It will be the last official event of Madiba’s centenary year, bringing to an end a memorable commemorat­ion programme that paid tribute to the legacy and heritage of the great statesman in a befitting manner in 2018.

This year’s Remembranc­e Walk and Run will see the introducti­on of a 21km run, a 10km run, together with a 5km walk.

Sello Hatang, chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, said: “We want to thank all South Africans and the global community for the warm, wonderful manner in which they’ve embraced the centenary celebratio­ns.

“It’s been a phenomenal, humbling year which has paid a fitting tribute to Madiba’s legacy and we encourage people from all walks of life to come out in their thousands to end this centenary year by participat­ing in the Remembranc­e Walk and Run.”

Participan­ts for the walk and run can enter online on www.walkandrun.com.

 ?? /OPTIMIZE AGENCY ?? Some of the participan­ts in last year’s event to celebrate Mandela’s life and legacy. This year’s event will be on December 9 in Pretoria.
/OPTIMIZE AGENCY Some of the participan­ts in last year’s event to celebrate Mandela’s life and legacy. This year’s event will be on December 9 in Pretoria.

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