November 5, 2007
By Lesego Madumo
FILLING the grime-filled streets of the world's most famous township on Sunday 4 November were over 25 000 athletes who raced in the annual Nedbank Soweto Marathon.
Commonly known as the People's Race, the marathon took a circuitous route through the streets of Soweto, starting and ending at the Elkah Stadium in Moroka. South Africa's richest standard marathon, with a total prize purse of R806 700, was themed "Championing Change".
The Nedbank Soweto Marathon was endorsed by the City and sponsored by Athletics South Africa (ASA), Nedbank, SABC, and Proudly South African. There were four categories in the race; the 42,2km open for males and females; the 20km walk; the 10km wheelchair race and the 5km fun run.
Routes chosen for this year's race took athletes through Soweto's most famous heritage landmarks, and some of its hot new developments.
Media liaison officer in the City, Nthatisi Modingoane, had promised that runners would get a closer view of the changing face of Soweto as they made their way along the 42,2km race. "We got to see places and things we only hear about and see on TV," said one fervent sportsperson, who took the long option.
From the starting line, with the mist threatening to hamper the excitement of the thousands of athletes who lined up to compete, runners steadily raced past the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown. This is where the famous Freedom Charter was signed half a century ago. The square is a national monument and a magnet for new developments, including the new four-star Holiday Inn Soweto, and attracts small, medium, and micro businesses, bringing much-needed economic development to the City and its township.
The route then headed towards the largest hospital of its kind in the southern hemisphere, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, on Potchefstroom Road. It is named after John Albert Baragwanath and the slain South African Communist Party chief Chris Hani. The hospital is currently undergoing a facelift, with over R2-billion already injected into its upgrading. Some R7-billion has been earmarked for new facilities in the next 10 years.
Further along, the Soweto cooling towers were firmly in the sight of runners, with some squealing in delight after having witnessed these tourism attractions. This landmark has been merged with the old Power Station, the Orlando Dam, and the Sontonga Koppie into the R1-billion Orlando Ekhaya Project. "The race is always all right in Soweto, with all these tourism attractions which I look forward to seeing every year," said Jimmy Harding, a runner in the 42,2 km race. Harding received a bronze medal for his participation, and says although he was a bit unfit he enjoyed the race.
The halfway was marked in Orlando West on Mncube Drive. Runners raced past the Mandela Museum, Nelson and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's old home on Vilakazi Street. The museum attracts at least 120 000 local and international visitors a year. Vilakazi is the only street in the world which has housed two Nobel laureates, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Mandela. Tutu is still a resident.
From here the route took runners past the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum. "The Hector Pieterson memorial and the Mandela house grabbed my attention, and nearly took me off track," Harding noted, adding that people must visit Soweto often, "and experience the lifestyle, and the nice people of this place." The museum is situated two blocks away from where the young Hector was shot, on the corner of Moema and Vilakazi streets.
Winners, all
City Manager Mavela Dlamini and member of the Mayoral Committee for community development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, who lent a hand in the prize-giving ceremony, attended the prestigious event. "We are very happy that you came to grace this occasion in Soweto, and in turn became champions, we are proud of you," said Dlamini, adding that it was great to have an event of that kind supported by the City and taking place in Soweto.
Mamoroallo Tjoka from Lesotho, who pocketed a whooping R100 000, clinched the 42,2 km open race in the female category for the second consecutive year with a record time of 2 hours, 47 minutes, and 57 seconds. Samukeliso Moyo came second to win R80 000, and Olesya Nurgalieva came third and won R60 000, respectively.
Pounding the streets of Soweto
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
Teboho Sello finished the race in a record time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 51 seconds and won in the open male category; the prize was R100 000. Warinyane Lebopo finished second and won R80 000, and Lebenya Nkoka finished third at 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 28 seconds to pocket R60 000. These athletes were all from team Mr. Price.
Expressing her euphoria, Tjoka said, "I was really scared towards the 40km mark; but I garnered strength and told myself that I was going to defend my title," she said, explaining that the experience was arduous. "I kept a good eye on my two contenders, who are both very strong runners, but I'm glad I managed to win."
Winners of the 20km race won R5 000 each; second place got R3 500 and third place pocketed R3 000.
President of ASA, Leonard Chuene, said the organisation was proud to have taken the marathon home to its roots. He said it was important for the City, together with Nedbank, to cement relations with the people of Soweto in creating a world-class event, which will continue to place that township on the world map. The occasion is important to nurture this relationship, with hope that it will grow from strength to strength, Chuene added.
In addition, the City Mayor, Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, who saw the race as an endeavour to unite people and build the nation, threw his weight behind it. Masondo said sport was an instrument that provided a uniquely effective medium for inculcating national pride and patriotism.
The marathon was broadcast live on SABC 2, and its coverage included the entire race, from the starter's gun at 6am until the prize-giving at 12:30pm.
To make sure next year's race surpasses this year's standards, Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane, events, marketing, and communications manager at ASA, noted that they would still improve their yearly plans. "We are happy this year that there were no irregularities reported; all athletes left the venue happy," she said, hinting that it was ASA's responsibility to improve safety for every attendee.
Amongst South African athletes who participated were also runners from Lesotho, Ethiopia, Zambia, and the United States.
Later, thousands of attendees, both young and old, sat and stood under the blaze of the scorching sun, whilst Kelly Khumalo and Khanyi Mbau provided sky-rocking entertainment which left spectators howling for more on top of their voices.
Although the drizzle nearly hampered the race and the runners' performance, athletes were unfazed by the weather conditions; the skies later cleared as the weatherman had predicted.
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