Umtamvuna Views: South Coast has a ‘Tiger’ in its tank
Honorary life membership was bestowed on Tiger by South Coast Striders in 2016.
ZWELITSHA Gono, affectionately known as ‘Tiger’ was born on June 21, 1951, in the Emfundisweni location in the Flagstaff district. He started running in 1968 at the age of 17 and one day failed to be chosen for the school choir appearance at a function in Flagstaff, so decided to run after the bus all the way from Emfundisweni to Flagstaff – a distance of 32km.
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He ran his first marathon as an unofficial runner from Richmond to Pietermaritzburg in 1973 at the age of 22. This inspired him to take part in the Comrades Marathon in May that year, a 90km down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. He did it in 6 hours, 58 minutes, earning him a silver medal on his first attempt – no small achievement running 90km in old tekkies!
Tiger went on to run every year, with the exception 1982, because of illness. He has earned himself no fewer than 14 silver medals and holds the record for the most Comrades run by an African South African. If you ask Tiger why he runs, he smiles and says ‘Comrades is my life.’
Honorary member
He joined South Coast Striders in 1978 after meeting founder members, the late Brian Gibson-Taylor and Dave Kinsey. They encouraged him to run the club’s own sardine half-marathon from Port Shepstone to Hibberdene, finishing in an amazing time of 1 hour and 16 minutes. They became good friends and ran many races together. Honorary life membership was bestowed on Tiger by South Coast Striders in 2016.
Good luck, Tiger
The original club committee of South Coast Striders wore their-then popular blazers with pride. In acknowledgement of Tiger’s incredible running achievements, long association with the club and friendship spanning 41 years, Dave (who has run 22 comrades), happily presented his own blazer in the colours of South Coast Striders to a delighted Tiger ahead of his 42nd Comrades Marathon.
To market
The Methodist Church morning market will take place in the church hall this Saturday, June 1. Pop in between 8am and noon to enjoy a coffee and breakfast with friends and browse through stalls selling interesting home crafts, plants, bric a brac and art.
Fabulous evening
Leisure Bay Conservancy held a successful fund-raising soiree at the home of Mick and Libby Goodall last Saturday evening.
About 30 guests were treated to the beautiful sounds of gentle jazz performed by internationally renowned jazz pianist Andile Yenana and nationally acclaimed violinist Sandile Cele.
Excellent food and wine was enjoyed in the beautiful candle-lit garden in perfect weather. Renowned local botanic artist, Kate Grieve, kindly donated a painting for auction. Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly.
Road to recovery
Llewel Angus, of Mbabala Lodge in Munster was bitten by a Mozambique spitting cobra more than a month ago in the Kruger National Park. He spent many days in ICU in Nelspruit Hospital and since returning to the South Coast, he has suffered with pain and swelling of his ankle. He was recently admitted to Margate Netcare Hospital for surgery to remove dead tissue from the wound.
The venom is cytotoxic and causes severe local tissue damage and Llewel will require skin grafts in the near future.
Wonderful break
Louise Bouwer, Pat and Louis Fourie and your scribe spent a magical two weeks camping at Berg en Dal in the Kruger National Park recently. Animal sightings were prolific, with seven separate leopard encounters and sightings of most animals, except cheetah.
New chapter
Well-respected long standing residents of Mbabala Lodge, Gavin and Daphne Staats, were honoured guests at a farewell party held at the club house last Friday evening. The couple isrelocating to Minneapolis, USA, to join their only son Dustin (31). Daphne worked in the dance department at Wild Coast Sun Hotel and Casino Resort for 24 years and four years with Caribbean Estates. Gavin is an engineer with Toyota. They will be entering a very icy environment and will definitely miss the warm African weather and people.
All news to Philippa.
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