MEC of the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC), Nonceba Kontsiwe, confirmed that they were happy to see that The Icon’s Journey Marathon Challenge 2023 will bring change to community members.
This marathon started from Clarkebury Senior Secondary School In Ngcobo to Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha on Sunday, July 30.
Top runners who managed to obtain the best positions were Linda Zondi from KwaZulu-Natal who went home with R50 000 as the winner, Sithembiso Mqhele finished second and Mthandazo Qhina finished third.
Makhosi Mhlongo achieved a first place finish in the females, and went home with R50 000. Zodwa Magidigidi finished second, followed by Lieketseng Molefe in third place.
“What make us happier is that people are showing interest in this challenge. Even though it was very cold, runners managed to take part.
“As the department we supported this event with R450 000 because we wanted to motivate other people and clubs to join it,” said Kontsiwe.
She added that whatever the organisers got from it, they (organisers) would use this to support schools who are struggling in the OR Tambo District Municipality.
The chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nelson Mandela Museum, Vuyani Booi, said that this event demonstrated a relationship they have with Icon’s Journey and also means that the Icon’s Journey is part of their initiative.
“It is important that they must be part of this, as you can see that they want to show other people, that they are taking part in uplifting the values of Nelson Mandela,” said Booi.
He said that as the organisers of the Icon’s Journey Marathon wrapped up this event it’s a clear demonstration of their commitment to support the Museum, and to ensure that that they uplift the values and principles of Nelson Mandela.
The founder and the director for The Icon’s Journey Foundation, Chief Vulithuba Sangoni, said that they were happy that they had managed to finish up their eight-day event. He said that some of the runners started from July 23 to 30.
“We are happy because we also see the runners who were running 400 kilometres also participating in these 103 kilometres. They were running with the aim of raising funds to support learners from schools who are in rural areas,” said Sangoni.
One of the runners, who finished first in the men’s, Linda Zondi from KwaZulu-Natal, said he did not know that he would win, but trusted God.
“I always participate in the Comrades Marathon, but I was not sure that I would make it. I wish all young people can take this kind of sport seriously, because it can help them to forget about drugs and alcohol that destroy their future.”
Makhosi Mhlongo, also from KwaZulu-Natal, who finished first in the women’s category, said that it was not easy but she managed to obtain what she was praying for.
