Race keeps memory of George Silundika alive
From Page S12
Kungubo Village emerged the victor as he crossed the finish line in 50 minutes 40 seconds, setting a new record and beating last year’s winner, 22-year-old Ola Ndebele of Ntoli Village who came second in 51 minutes 35 seconds.
Phumampi Sebele of Ntoli Village (19) took the women’s category this year as she completed the race in 1 hour 15:24 minutes to beat last year’s winner, Lethiwe Ndlovu (18) of Khekhethe Village who arrived at the finish point two seconds later.
This year the top three winners walked away with cash prizes of $100, $75 and $50 in both the men and women’s categories respectively.
Race director, Busi Malunga said there were also a number of consolation prizes for the other runners in the form of t-shirts that were donated by retail clothing store, Truworths and for the second year in a row, international courier company DHL donated caps for the athletes, in addition to cartons of bottled water.
“In addition to DHL and Truworths, sweetmaking company, Arenel, which has also branched into water and mahewu production, brought samples of their products which were given to both participants and spectators with Ingwebu Breweries returning to support the race.
“Next year’s race is scheduled for Saturday, 6 July and we expect it to grow and continue to set new standards and hopefully attract runners from a bigger catchment. Eventually we want it to attain national and regional standards,” he said.
Felix Silundika, George Silundika’s son and director of the TGSCCC said they are happy the race was a resounding success and are hopeful it will continue to serve as a reminder of the sacrifices his father made towards the attainment of the country’s independence.
“While it is an athletics race, we believe it also serves as an insight to the country’s history as it will keep TG’s memory alive and will become a historical store of information as those who take part in the race will also get an opportunity to learn about the man, TG and his history,” he said.
The TGSCCC was founded by TG’s children in 2015 in honour of the national hero at his homestead in Bulilima District as it was lying derelict with no one living there.
The centre boasts of a memorial library, an art gallery for Kalanga artwork and a Zimbabwean artefacts and performing arts centre.
TG Silundika Centre is one of the projects to maintain and promote the legacy of the national hero and it is expected to house a community hall, a hospitality centre that will consist of chalets or dome huts modelled in Kalanga housing architecture with traditional bedding for accommodating visitors, ecocommerce centre, education centre and recreational centre.
The centre also hosts the annual TibaKalanga/ We are Kalanga Festival which showcases the cultural heritage of the Kalanga while at the same time strengthening industries that sustain the livelihoods of community members.
Silundika said they would also set up a Zenzo Nkobi Gallery that would be adorned with pictures captured by the late Nkobi, who was Zapu’s official photographer during the liberation struggle. Mafela Trust has also pledged to donate thousands of photographs to be displayed at the gallery.