Many vulnerable people who might otherwise not afford to celebrate Christmas due to poverty are going to benefit from the annual Mthunzi 15km that entered its 14th year on Monday, December 16.

The marathon organisers interacted with the communities in Hazyview, Mkhuhlu, and other areas falling under the Bushbuckridge municipality, to identify needy people.

The 15km race started at the Mkhuhlu Post Office at 06:00 and finished at Mthunzi Lodge in Hazyview on the R536 road.

“We have been running successfully for a full 14 years. I believe the legacy of this annual race will obviously go on for many years to come. It is also my belief that our good intention of caring for the vulnerable through this marathon is a very important move for the vulnerable individuals,” said Advocate DJ Sibuyi.

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David Slot Khoza of DS Khoza Attorneys said the race was also good for the people who took part in it because it resulted in their physical fitness as well.

“There is nothing more interesting than coming together a few days before Christmas and doing something for a morally good reason.

This includes the physical fitness that has the potential to also make the mind think straight,” said Khoza.

Victor Sibuyi told this publication that other than the intention to care for the vulnerable.
The people who entered the annual competition were rewarded with several prizes and medals.

He said a runner who got first position in a specific category walked away with at least R5 000 while the second prize was R3 000 and the third R1 500.

“Over and above these prizes, we handed over medals. This annual race was attended by people from as far as the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and other provinces, as well as some from Eswatini,” said Sibuyi.

The official results had not been released at the time of this publication.