From Wattville to Vosloorus: Two runners tackle 41.5km for social change
Both runners aspire to be professional athletes and represent SA on the international stage.
Two runners from Wattville turned Valentine’s Day into a statement against GBV, crime, poverty, substance abuse and other social challenges plaguing their community.
Using their passion for athletics to highlight societal ills, Vincent ‘Tjoborops’ Makhubo and Philemon ‘Kompapi’ Nhlapo ran 41.5km from Wattville to Vosloorus and back on February 14.
Instead of spending the day with their partners, they laced up their running shoes at 06:00 and set off from the Actonville Police Station. Their route took them through Van Dyk Park to the Gold Spot Taxi Rank in Vosloorus before heading back to Wattville.
The initiative began in the first week of February when Nhlapo posted a video on the community’s Facebook page challenging Makhubo, a well-known local athlete, to do the long-distance run for a cause. Makhubo responded positively, and the pair set a date.
Word of the challenge quickly spread on social media. Social activist Irvin Ndlovu saw the video trending and reached out to Phumlani Funeral Undertakers, which came on board to sponsor the run. On the day, members of the funeral service escorted the runners, providing water along the route, while Ndlovu offered moral support and kept the community updated on social media about the pair’s progress.
The two athletes said they trained intensively in the days leading up to the run to ensure they were physically prepared.
@benonicitytimes Using their passion for athletics to highlight societal ills, Vincent ‘Tjoborops’ Makhubo and Philemon ‘Kompapi’ Nhlapo ran 41.5km from Wattville to Vosloorus and back on February 14.
“At the finish line, our families and community members, including Fikile Zibudi, head of community, and entrepreneur Bafana Mbatha, welcomed us. Our parents were proud of us,” they said.
Running has many benefits
The pair chose running as their platform for awareness because it is their shared passion. Makhubo, running for three years, started the sport after losing his job, “Running helped me to de-stress and stay focused.”
He has since participated in several marathons, including the Wattville and the Johnson Crane marathons.
Previously a canoeist, Nhlapo spoke of running’s benefits, “It improves your health and teaches you to be mindful of your diet,” he said.
Both aspire to be professional athletes and represent SA internationally. They also hope to establish a running club in Wattville for young people.
“Our hope and plan is to get a sponsor, open a running club to keep youngsters busy and active, and compete as a team from Wattville. We are appealing for help with training kits, nutritious food and running sunglasses and sneakers,” they said.
They also need financial support to cover race registration fees and transport costs for competitions outside their area.
This will not be their last awareness run. They encourage community members to join them in future initiatives aimed at building a safer and healthier society. Anyone who can assist can call Ndlovu on 083 993 4121.
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