Mandela events draw competitors from all over Africa
ETHIOPIAN runner Tekletsion Kassahun Tefera was the men’s winner of the main 42km race at yesterday’s Mandela Day Marathon, while Mamarallo Tjoka, of Lesotho, won in the women’s category.
The marathon covered the route between Edendale and the Mandela Capture Site outside Howick, for the sixth time since 2012.
“The human spirit has once again triumphed as some 15 000 athletes from all over the globe competed in various disciplines in the uMgungundlovu district and where the late President Nelson Mandela was arrested 55 years ago by the apartheid police,” said Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
Winners of the 21km race were Jobo Khatoane, of Lesotho, in the men’s category and Betha Chikanga, from Zim- babwe, in the women’s.
“The Mandela Day Marathon has again demonstrated our capacity to organise worldclass sporting events that not only bring people together for a common purpose but also provide much needed economic incentives for our communities and municipalities in KZN,” said Dube-Ncube.
The annual marathon aimed to celebrate and preserve the legacy of the late president but also to provide business and job opportunities for the local communities in the uMgungundlovu district. The marathon also helped market KZN as a tourism destination.
“Our warm congratulations go to all winners and participants of this year’s marathon. As exciting as it is to win a sporting event of this nature, the most exhilarating experience is to participate and share in its communal spirit. We also applaud all visitors to the province who have come to support these athletes,” said uMgungundlovu district Mayor Thobekile Maphumulo.
Meanwhile, Inkosi Mandla Mandela, the late president’s grandson, his wife Rabia and their three- month- old son Mntwanenkosi Mandela Ikraam Mandela and his mother, Rose Rayne Mandela-Perry, visited Edendale Hospital before the marathon.
They announced Absa Bank having come forward as a donor to the children’s ward.
Speaking about the race, Inkosi Mandela said his grandfather was a sports addict.
He woke up every morning at 4am and worked out for two hours. He said Mandela stopped doing this only at the age of 87.
Speaking at Edendale Hospital, Faisal Mkhize, ABSA KZN provincial managing executive, said they were happy to be involved with the hospital.