Sunshine brought back to Mpumalanga through the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge
Event ambassadors Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp and Bling it on Bibi, and veteran Olympian runner, Rene Kalmer, were just some of the guests who joined them in studio
Women across Mpumalanga and South Africa took part in the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge this past weekend bringing some much needed sunshine back into our lives, proving that no matter what was cancelled this year, the resilience, optimism and unity of our nation cannot be cancelled!
Social media posts of women and their families dressed up in official event t-shirts and bright yellow buffs dominated our timelines this weekend as 30 000 women shared their Spar Women’s Virtual Challenge experience online.
The hashtags #BeSunshine and #SPARVirtualChallenge trended throughout the weekend as support for this innovative virtual event poured in.
The SPARWomen’s Virtual Challenge which was launched in July sold out its 30 000 tickets ahead of the event which took place on Saturday, September 26.
As a virtual event, there were no geographic boundaries to the race.
Women across the country and in some parts of the world in any location could choose their own route and their own distance to walk or run.
In Mpumalanga, Lentsa Faith Motau, Captain of the Mpumalanga Sunbirds Netball team, welcomed the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge in Mpumalanga at sunrise doing her own solo challenge on a granite hill overlooking Mbombela.
She then joined her teammates in the Lowveld Botanical Gardens where the Sunbirds did their challenge ending off with the Jerusalema dance.
In the inner city of Mbombela, large groups of participants were routing along the city streets.
Other groups of Mpumalanga participants were seen roaming the plains of Kaapschehoop amongst the wild horses, walking in the rain forests at the base of Lone Creek Falls, trailing in the bush alongside the famed Kruger National Park as well as along the escarpment at Blyde River Canyon.
“On behalf of SPAR Lowveld, a big thank you to all the participants of the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge for coming out in support of what has been a hugely successful anti-gender-based violence initiative. In joining hands across our beautiful region, we have again affirmed our unwavering conviction that there is no place for gender-based violence in our society. Your support has made it possible to bring sunshine into the lives of many survivors and their families by providing food parcels to needy families while standing in solidarity with those that have been affected by gender-based violence in our nation. To every participant of this year’s virtual challenge: Keep inspiring others to do and be more!” said Sean Komlosy.
A live broadcast from a studio in Johannesburg, hosted by Virtual Challenge Ambassadors Warrior Ric, Lucille Slade and Tuané Block, tied the event together in a social media live stream, crossing live to their fellow ambassadors in various locations across Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
Event ambassadors Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp and Bling it on Bibi, and veteran Olympian runner, Rene Kalmer, were just some of the guests who joined them in studio.
The live stream brought the Spar Women’s Virtual Challenge community together, allowing everyone taking part to see what their fellow participants were doing in their regions.
The Virtual Challenge and the lead up to the event itself was supported by a group of deeply committed brand ambassadors who helped spread the word, to promote the cause behind the event and also took part on the day.
These individuals tirelessly dedicated their time, effort, and influence to making the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge a success.
They also took part on the day with Lucille Slade, Lindie Strydom, Charné Bosman, Ivan and Donnalee Botha, Hannah Grobler, Willem Botha, Warrior Ric, Bling it on Bibi, Rene Kalmer and Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp all doing their part!
“It’s astounding year after year to see how these amazing individuals join SPAR to use their reach and influence for good and to see how the people of South Africa are always there to support our causes,” continued Komlosy.
“Although we could not host our usual Spar races this year, the excitement and meaning behind them were not cancelled in the end and we are proud of what we achieved together on September 26!”
The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge was an unmitigated and resounding success nationwide.
In the words of Brand Ambassador and Egoli actress, Lindie Strydom: “This challenge was about so much more than just running. It was about bringing everyone together for a better South Africa. We don’t want to just enjoy the sunshine, but we actually want to #BeSunshine.”
