More than 1 500 competitors gathered at Rob Ferreira High School on August 22 for the third Dr Mathews Phosa Marathon to celebrate Women’s Month and take a stand against abuse.

The day delivered the three core pillars of the event: early childhood development support and its capacity-building programme, the GBVF response programme and the learners with disabilities support programme.

Supporting communities and honouring members

The Dr Mathews Phosa Foundation places a strong emphasis on supporting communities and initiatives to attend to their needs. More than 500 ECD practitioners received bursaries, and more than 3 000 intimate and married couples received complimentary counselling sessions from SA Men First.

More than 1 500 participants attended, including more than 300 learners from the White-Hazy Circuit and more than 100 learners with disabilities from KaMagugu Inclusive School and the Dasha Foundation.

Sibusiso Vilane received the Dr Mathews Phosa Marathon Mpumalanga Top Achievers award for his mountaineering expeditions, especially his recent 42km marathon that he completed after climbing Nevado Ojos del Salado, the highest mountain range in Chile, in February. Vilane described the acknowledgement as heartwarming.

Race organiser Sipho Zitha was also celebrated for his strength and faith after a difficult year, and, as chairperson, promised participants an improved 2027 edition. Mandla Lukhele and Pollen Mathabe kept the day’s energy high as MCs.

On the road, Msawenkosi Buthelezi (Barberton Mines Running Club) won the men’s 21km in 01:07:12, ahead of Sibonginkosi Maseko (Bellas Running Club). Nomvula Sithole (Ngodwana Marathon Club) took the women’s 21km in 01:23:18, with Donné Green (Legogote Running Club) second. Samkelo Ngobeso (Bellas Running Club) won the men’s 10km in 00:34:07, and Supplement Gwangwa (Barberton Running Club) took the women’s 10km in 00:44:50.

Honouring participants

Women and children from all corners of the Lowveld exhibited the true spirit of Women’s Month and the fight against GBV. Their experiences, motivation and determination truly highlight the need for a platform and how it can be used to spread awareness and empower others.

The Blue Horse Academy is a female soccer team that formed part of the GBV awareness tournament. The finals took place on August 22, and they emerged as the victors.

Lissa Gumede, the team owner, said the team chose to participate in honour of Women’s Month and to celebrate women in sport. “For us, participating means that we are recognised as women, and from an early age, girls will be exposed to women in sport and given exposure to female role models. Competing in sport also serves as a means of distraction from bad exposures,” said Gumede.

Gumede thinks that events like the Mathews Phosa Half-marathon will show all women that they are loved and supported and give them a space to talk about GBV-related issues and discrimination.

Gumede gives her thanks to the Dr Mathews Phosa Foundation for the opportunity and hopes that they can expand and reach even more people than they already do.

The soccer team aspires to one day compete in the Women’s SA U20 team and will continue to work hard to make the dream a reality.

Running towards the future

The Mathews Phosa races had no shortage of female athletes, many of whom have been part of the sport for decades and have multiple achievements behind their names. Some of these women include Elzeth Steenkamp, Allison Hay, Sandy Mclagan, Sandra Mashaba, Donné Green, Nomvula Sithole and Supplement Gwangwa.

Sithole won the 21km race in 01:23:18. Besides competing for her love of running, she participated in an initiative that proudly honours and supports women.

“The race was amazing and so powerful! It felt good to run for a cause bigger than myself. I am proud to have been part of a run that stands against GBV and honours women during this month,” said Sithole.

Supplement Gwangwa won the women’s 10km race in 00:44:50. She not only recognises the immense amount of effort put into organising a successful day, but also the broader cause it stands for.

“It is about being in unity and fighting the national disaster which is GBV. We trust that all efforts of raising awareness didn’t go in vain and also hope that it gave others courage to come out and know that we stand with them in difficult times,” said Gwangwa.

These women all participated, not only for their love of the sport and goals, but the broader issue of GBV, regardless of whether they or someone they know has been affected or not.

“Women need to stand together as one against the horrors of GBV. So many women are affected daily,” said Hay.

An open space for all

This year, two special-needs schools were invited to the event: the Dasha Foundation and KaMagugu Inclusive School, who returned for their second year. More than 100 learners participated in fun activities and adapted sports to create an all-inclusive day where anyone can participate.

There were six activities organised for the learners: boccia, adapted javelin, sack races, bowling, tug of war, and sprints.

“It was a fun day out and an opportunity for us to raise awareness about GBV, as well as create an opportunity for empowerment for children with special needs,” said Debbie Cresswell from KaMagugu Inclusive School.

Events like the annual Dr Mathews Phosa Half-marathon and dedicated athletics days specifically earmark funds and inclusive sports advocacy programmes for children with special needs. His sports initiatives directly support prominent special education and care institutions in the Mpumalanga region.

Much more than beauty

The winners and princesses of Miss Bold and Miss Dazzling also attended the day. Dressed in their sashes and crowns, they gleefully handed out medals to athletes as they crossed the finish line.

“Participating in the day means I was successful in helping boost the confidence of young girls to educate them about being bold and becoming independent. I’d also like to emphasise that our pageants are more than crowns and beauty – they are platforms for empowerment, purpose, confidence and positive change,” said Precious Tlaka, founder of Miss Bold.

Tlaka further explained that events like the Mathews Phosa race matter because they educate people, challenge harmful attitudes, and encourage communities to stand together against GBV and support survivors.