In memory of the fallen five
MIDRAND - Moroese Mokoatsi, Reneilwe Lesenyeho, Given Mills, Isaac Tlale and Nomvula Dumako are five runners the Midrand Striders running club decided to honour on the third year anniversary of their death.
On the evening of 22 October at 6.00pm, the striders gathered at Vodaworld to begin their journey to the accident site where the five runners died.
The five, together with Khanyisa Sthengile, a survivor of the accident, were preparing for the Soweto Marathon when a driver ploughed into them on the corner Olifantsfontein Road and Lever Road.
The striders were joined by Sthengile and Rene Kalmer, who is a two time olympic champion.
The mother of Given Mills, Mashudu Mills was also present and she shared details on her campaign, Midrand 5 share and Save a Life. She started the campaign in memory of her son. She made a plea to the Midrand business community to raise funds and help build a memorial for the five runners and for awareness campaigns on running safety.
Marietjie Airey from the striders said, “We wanted to honour the memory of our fellow runners who were killed and to bring awareness that runners and cyclists are very vulnerable on the road.” Leon Baker, also a member of the striders said, “We need sidewalks to be upgraded. We are not fighting drivers, this is a campaign to raise awareness.”
“The support that was shown on the road by the 60 people who were running for the memory of the five is incredible,” he said.
