DEFINING THE LEGACY OF CHRIS HANI IN ACTION
Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) is currently holding its 10th Chris Hani Month (April) celebrations in honour of Chris Martin Tembisile Hani, a liberation hero who is an icon and source of inspiration for the municipality.
In celebrating the life of Chris Hani, the CHDM embarks on a wave of activities throughout the local municipalities under its area of jurisdiction (Engcobo, Intsika Yethu, Emalahleni, Sakhisizwe, Enoch Mgijima and Inxuba Yethemba).
The main objectives are to showcase service delivery initiatives, in the process encouraging community interaction. Importantly, during this period emphasis is put on educating and creating awareness on the significance of the Liberation Heritage Route which recognizes CHDM born liberation icons and the magnificent role they played in the liberation struggle. Equally, entrenching the values that Chris Hani stood for, which the municipality has construed based on his name (Commitment, Humanity, Respect, Integrity, Sincerity, Honesty, Accountability, Nurturing and Innovation.
Chris Hani Freedom Marathon, one of the flagship projects of the Chris Hani Month celebrations, now in its 5th year, recognizes the resilience that Chris Martin Tembisile Hani displayed throughout his life. The marathon retraces Hani’s footsteps from Sabalele as his birthplace, to Zigudu mission where he attended school. This is the route he diligently undertook on a daily basis during his school years, including Sundays as his family worshipped at the Zigudu Catholic mission. 28 April 2018 is set as the race day.
The race boasts a 25 km off road marathon, 10 km run and a 5 km fun run/walk. It has grown immensely from 2013 – the year of its inception, from 1000 entries to an overwhelming 2600 in 2017. We have an attractive pool of prizes totalling R150 000 broken down as follows: R25000 for the 1st place 25km, 2nd place R10 000; 3rd place R5000. For the 10km run 1st place R10 000; 2nd place R5000 and 3rd place R2 500.
The race is regulated by Athletics South Africa and endorsed by Athletics Transkei attracting athletes from across our district, Athletics Transkei affiliates, and from individuals across South Africa.
The District Municipality has a strong support from the Association of Running Legends of South Africa led by Xolile Yawa who is our race ambassador – born in within the district –at Cacadu, Emalahleni Local Municipality. The legends who include Dora Mngwevu, Hezekiel Sepeng and others, will undertake coaching clinics as a build up to the marathon which is widely attended by young locals. The municipality has a long standing agreement with the legends for athletics development within Chris Hani District Municipality which will culminate into formation of a running club that will be beneficial to the youth within its area of jurisdiction.
Further information can be obtained from Thobeka Mqamelo on tmqamelo@chrishanidm.gov.za; 0825632976