Comrades Marathon expected to inject over R600m into KZN economy
DURBAN - This weekend's annual Comrades Marathon is set to rake in millions in tourism.
Tourism officials say the economic spin-off from the Comrades Marathon topped R600-million last year and it is expected to be even more this year.
Race organisers estimate predicting it could reach over R600-million, with a direct spend of over R270,000 and at least 1,800 jobs created.
The race is expected to have attracted the largest ever down run field in the history of the race, with at least 24,000 runners at the start line.
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IOL News
33 minutes ago
- IOL News
Young runners make their Comrades Marathon debut
Xander Mcneil and Minkateko Letsoalo will be among the youngest runners taking on the Comrades Marathon Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Media Making their Comrades Marathon debut today are Minkateko Letsoalo and Xander Mcneil. Both aged 20, are the youngest runners starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and making their way to Durban's People's Park. The duo will join over 22 000 runners who are running 89.98 km in the 98th edition of the iconic Ultimate Human Race. The annual marathon attracts runners from various countries. Minkateko Letsoalo is running her first Comrades Marathon today Image: Leon Lestrada Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Letsoalo, from Pretoria, said she wanted to do something big this year and decided to do the Comrades Marathon. "My mum, Pumza Khumalo ran two Comrades years back and I decided to get her to join me again. I have been running since the age of 17, with my mum, just to keep active. "I began training for the Comrades last year. People ask me why I am doing this at such a young age, and I say I rather do this whilst I am young," said Letsoalo. Minkateko Letsoalo and her mum Pumza Khumalo, who are both running the Comrades Marathon today Image: Leon Lestrada Letsoalo's longest run thus far has been the 50 km Tshwane North Ultra, which was her qualifier to the said she enjoys being part of the running community as she gets to meet new people along the way. "The running community is very supportive and has been giving me advice," she said. Letsoalo said she was very excited and nervous. "I am happy that it is a down run. Although I haven't trained along the Comrades route, I have had some practice runs in Pretoria in areas that replicate the route. "I am feeling that adrenaline rush, especially being surrounded by other runners. No matter what happens I will come back next year," she said. Xander Mcneil will make his Comrades Marathon debut today. Image: Leon Lestrada Mcneil, who lives in Stellenbosch, said he always had a love for running. After being diagnosed with a disc herniation or spinal disc herniation, an injury to the intervertebral disc between two vertebrae, he decided there was a lot more to life than slowing down. "With this disease my back is compensated and this has caused sclerosis. After a near death experience in hospital my chiropractor said everyone's got talent and motivation to do something. "My dad ran two Comrades previously and so I decided to give it a try. Running is part of my life. This disease may hinder certain aspects of my life, but it won't stop me from doing what I enjoy," said Mcneil. He said the Comrades Marathon may be a big jump, but it is something he can accomplish. "I am happy that my first Comrades is a down run. I am hoping to finish in sub 10," he said. Meanwhile with all types of accommodation in the host cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, and beyond, expected to be fully booked, Sibusiso Gumbi, the Acting Chief Executive of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, said he was delighted that the race will exceed pre-COVID figures.' 'With all eyes on the race, we are hoping that it will inspire people - whether they watch it on the roadside or on their televisions - to choose KZN for their next holiday or attend one of our many sporting events that are hosted in our province,' said Gumbi. The economic spin-off from the Comrades Marathon topped R600-million last year and it was expected to be even more this year, with race organisers predicting it could reach over R600-million, with a direct spend of R275 308, and at least 1800 jobs created. 'The Comrades Marathon brings more visitors to our region than any other big international sporting event. We have everything a tourist could wish for: beautiful scenery, the beach, the bush, the Berg, diverse attractions, including game reserves and safari experiences, and friendly people.' Hotelier Brett Tungay, board chairman of the regional branch of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa) said: 'Bearing in mind the overall trajectory of the year for KZN, there is a real sense of optimism in tourism circles.' The hospitality industry was expecting positive tourism figures 'driven by the participation of international runners and the influx of domestic visitors from various regions of the country''. He pointed out that the Comrades Marathon follows a bumper May when Durban and KZN hosted crowd-pulling sporting events and Africa's Travel Indaba, which attracted almost 10 000 delegates from around the world. Record turnout The Comrades Marathon Association General Manager, Alain Dalais, said 'With this year's race attracting the largest Down Run field in the history of the race, we're expecting a record turnout of spectators and supporters, so this all points to the 2025 race being a true spectacle". Some 22 677 runners have qualified – 20% of the field are women - and organisers are expecting 'at least' 24 000 to start the race. The previous record for the Down Run was 19 047 runners set in 2018. The Comrades Marathon has attracted 3 063 international runners: 1 282 from the Rest of Africa and 1 781 from countries outside Africa. 'We expect those international athletes to bring around another 3 000 family, loved ones and travelling companions with them; hence some 6 000 international visitors will be coming to the province, Dalais said. Extra time Many runners and their supporters – particularly the international runners and their families – spend extra time in the province after the race, with the international visitors booking game drives and safari visits to wildlife conservation areas, like Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve and the Ithala Game Reserve. They also make the most of the great beaches and the warm waters of the KZN coastline, Dalais added. The course is somewhat shorter this year (89km) as it needs to accommodate road construction at the Umlaas Road Interchange, with the route going through some suburbs. There will be 47 refreshment stations along the route and there will be several 'fun, vibey' activation points and spectator zones to support the runners. Another big change is that the start of the race will be divided into two groups – the first setting off at 5.45am and the second at 6am – to promote safety, avoid bottlenecks and to give the runners the opportunity of posting a good time by reducing the time it takes them to get over the start line. Another innovation for 2025 All runners will have 12 hours to complete the race. 'The street finish in Durban is another innovation this year, with one of the biggest bonuses for the runners being that they won't need to climb any stairs after finishing, as has been the case when they have finished inside one of the stadiums,' Dalais said. 'This will also allow the clubs to have their tents and gazebos close to the finish line, creating a great vibe throughout the day.' The race was started in 1921 as a living memorial to South African soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. Known for its challenging course, scenic views and unique traditions, the race will include big names, repeat runners and first timers. Both of last year's men's and women's winners, Piet Wiersma (Netherlands) and Gerda Steyn, will be competing. Other previous winners, Tete Dijana and Edward Mothibi and Alexandra Morozova (Russia) will also be competing. 'And there are many others in the elite field that could also challenge for the win,' the Comrades Marathon general manager said. Several celebrities will also be competing, with popular comedian and TV personality Schalk Bezuidenhout running his first Comrades, while well-known rapper and musician Kabelo Mabalane will be aiming for a 13th Comrades medal. SUNDAY TRIBUNE
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
KZN's most pot-holed riddled road
The pothole riddled R69 that connects Vryheid with Mkuze via Louwsburg is set to get a R421-million upgrade Image: Supplied Farmers and residents who have to navigate the R69 that connects Vryheid with Mkuze via Louwsburg in northern KwaZulu-Natal believe that this was probably the most dangerous road in the province. They claim that there were more than 500 potholes in a single kilometre of the R69. Coenie Swanepoel, a cattle and timber farmer living near Louwsburg, said it was life threatening travelling on that road. "You have to stay focused on that road. You can no longer call them potholes, as they are so deep. People avoid the holes and move onto the oncoming traffic making it extremely dangerous and cause head-on collisions. "We have spent over R60 000 since December on vehicle repairs because of the damage caused by travelling on this road," said Swanepoel. He said the road is mostly gravel with large sections of the road falling away underneath. "It's life-threatening travelling this road. There are accidents all the time. Businesses in this area have either closed or are struggling financially. People no longer want to come to the town to shop. "Tourism is also suffering as people are not visiting a local game reserve. We are small farmers in the area farming cattle, timber, dairy, chicken and vegetables. People are reluctant to come to our farms to do business because of this road," he said. He said a trip that used to take them 35 to 40 minutes from Louwsburg to Vryheid now takes an hour and 15 minutes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ DA MPL Riona Gokool has called for a full report on the status of the R69 be tabled at the next committee meeting, together with a comprehensive plan including budgets and timelines for its full rehabilitation. Image: Supplied Riona Gokool, DA member in the provincial legislature, said for the past two years, community members have submitted monthly complaints to the Department of Transport in Vryheid. "Despite this, the department has failed to act decisively or transparently. A response to written parliamentary questions by the DA in KZN now reveals that the upgrade of this route forms part of the rehabilitation project for Provincial Road P46-2, specifically from kilometre marker 16.00 to 45.00," said Gokool. She said while a contract for rehabilitation work has been awarded, the contractor was currently in the process of fulfilling pre-construction obligations with full-scale construction yet to begin. "In the interim, patchwork maintenance activities have been announced, including blacktop patching and material procurement. However, these "quick fixes" have proved to be ineffective, poorly implemented, and in many cases, more damaging than helpful," she said. Gokool said fixing the R69 was not a luxury, but a lifesaving necessity. "Residents can no longer risk their lives on a road that has been allowed to crumble to ruin. As part of KZN's Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) the DA will continue to push for proper road networks for the people of our province," said Gokool. KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma said they have appointed consultant engineers and a contractor for the rehabilitation of that road. Image: KZN Department of Transport MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said the construction project was expected to be completed by October 2026. Duma said they have appointed consultant engineers and a contractor for the rehabilitation of that road. "The department is considering this road as a priority as it is the main link between Abaqulusi Local Municipality, UPhongolo Local Municipality, Umkhanyakude District, and two neighboring countries, such as Swaziland and Mozambique. "As a result, an amount of more than R424 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation of this road," said Duma. He said the department was currently working with local stakeholders to set up a project liaison committee for the duration of the construction. "As soon as the committee is established, we will have a formal stakeholder structure (Transport Forum), which will represent all wards of Abaqulusi Local Municipality and the community at large. "As a representative of the community, this structure, working with the contractor and the department, will ensure that the construction project is completed by October 2026 as per our deadline." he said. Duma said the project has a consultant engineer appointed by the department to monitor the quality of construction, manage finances, and complete the project on time. "Technicians from the department will serve as project managers to monitor the project's performance and implementations. "According to the risk assessment report, this road has reached the end of its lifespan," said Duma. He said with KZN being the logistics hub, there were many trucks carrying coal and chemicals, spillages on the road, adding that the road networks were being damaged and had many defects. "We remain concerned that the prolonged rainfall and floods caused by the cut-off low-pressure system are destroying our road networks across all corners of the province. "The issue of efficiency and rapid repair of potholes is what we are also focusing on. In this regard, we have launched a province-wide campaign focusing on pothole patching with a budget of R216 584 440.26. We are tackling the backlog of 3.12 million m2 of potholes," said Duma. He added that they have procured 55 trucks at a cost of R103 million and will be procuring a further 25 trucks to reinforce the department's efforts to eradicate potholes on our network. SUNDAY TRIBUNE The R69 that connects Vryheid with Mkuze via Louwsburg has reached the end of its lifespan Image: Supplied
Daily Maverick
4 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Jacob Zuma's future looks rocky as court trial looms and MK woes heat up
The National Prosecuting Authority wants to get Jacob Zuma in the dock without further delay, and the former president must also contend with his political party once again being in turmoil. Hours after the High Court in Pietermaritzburg this week dismissed Jacob Zuma's application to have the Arms Deal charges against him thrown out, the former president held a media briefing to announce that his uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party had once again fired a secretary-general. This time, Floyd Shivambu was shown the door. The long-running Arms Deal case involving Zuma and French arms company Thales is set to proceed after Judge Nkosinathi Chili dismissed the two parties' application, which had been brought on the basis that they wouldn't receive a fair trial because the case had dragged on for decades and two witnesses, former Thales directors, had died. The judge said he was not persuaded by their arguments. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said the organisation had long believed that this was a 'rehearsed application' and felt vindicated by Judge Chili's decision. The NPA will now apply for the court to begin hearing evidence after the trial resumes in December, regardless of whether Zuma appeals against the decision. 'We hope that there will be no more interlocutory applications that will have an undesirable impact or effect of delaying the trial,' said Mhaga. 'We hope it resumes without any further delays.' Zuma and Thales face charges including corruption, racketeering, money laundering and fraud related to the 1999 Arms Deal. Zuma is accused of receiving payments totalling R4.1-million between 1995 and 2004 from his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, and his companies, allegedly to promote Thales' interests. Zuma has repeatedly challenged elements of the case, particularly the involvement of prosecutor Billy Downer, which has led to significant delays. Shivambu's axing Meanwhile, the revolving doors at Zuma's MK party, which he banded together from disgruntled members of the ANC, EFF and IFP, continue to spin. This latest decision to remove former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu from his position as secretary-general of the MK party leaves a key position vacant as the 2026 local government elections draw nearer. The role of the secretary-general in many a local political party is seen as crucial and powerful as this person is tasked with overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring the smooth running of its internal machinery. In MK this position is now vacant after Shivambu recently visited fugitive pastor and self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi. The Enlightened Christian Gathering Church founder faces more than 350 criminal charges in South Africa including fraud, money laundering, racketeering and rape. Shivambu, who will be deployed to Parliament, insisted on an interview on SABC last week Zuma himself had approved the trip, but this was denied. Even now, Shivambu's reasons for the trip remain unclear. The visit violated MK's constitution, national chairperson Nkosinathi Nhleko said earlier this week. Some senior members of the party have argued that removing Shivambu was a calculated strategic decision. Others believe it was driven by tribal loyalties, and perhaps most significantly, some view it as part of a succession battle in the MK party. In his influential positions, first as national organiser and then as secretary-general of MK, Shivambu amassed considerable control over key aspects of the party, including political education, governance, building structures and party finances. His rise was increasingly seen as an attempt to position himself as a future MK leader, which some believe threatened the influence of the party's founders. Who will Zuma appoint? The search is now on for MK's next secretary-general – the party's sixth one since its formation in December 2023. According to MK's constitution, Zuma as party president has the prerogative to hire and fire its leaders at will. An insider said: 'It all boils down to what Nxamalala [Zuma] decides.' Daily Maverick understands from sources in the MK party that internal lobbying for the position is taking place. The names of one of the party's founding members, Phumlani Mfeka, and spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela are among those going round as Shivambu's potential successors. Daily Maverick understands that in the past two weeks, Zuma has had meetings with both Mfeka and Ndhlela. Prior to the meetings, Zuma met allied traditional leaders, who expressed their views on who should take over the reins, endorsing Mfeka. Mfeka is a member of the Injeje yabeNguni Council, a traditional leadership body. Earlier this year, he resigned from both MK and his position in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, citing a deviation from the party's founding principles and the sidelining of traditional leadership structures. Prior to his involvement with the MK party, Mfeka was associated with a Pan-Africanist civic group. He later endorsed the Mazibuye African Congress, a pro-Zuma political party. Mfeka was already receiving 'special treatment' as per Zuma's instructions, a source said. Traditional leader Prince Khulekani Dlomo said amakhosi (chiefs) hoped that talk of Mfeka's appointment would become a reality. 'We are in prayers as amakhosi for these murmurs to become a reality. We would be thankful if such a position was taken up by someone with royal blood.' Beyond Mfeka's roots, Dlomo said he was the man for the job, praising his character and commitment to traditional leadership. 'It would bring about much stability and respect in various structures and communities… He is a bright child, a very truthful and principled young man.' But, equally, there is a strong push to have Ndhlela, the nephew of former South African Revenue Service (SARS) commissioner Tom Moyane, take up the position. In 2016, amaBhungane broke a story revealing that a company controlled by Ndhlela had won a R2.2-billion tax collection contract from SARS that could net him around R220-million. Ndhlela has been MK's only national spokesperson since the party's launch. Considering the regular reshuffling, resignations and sackings taking place in MK, this is quite an achievement. For example, the positions of secretary-general and treasurer-general have been occupied by eight individuals in the space of a year. This has all taken place without MK ever holding an elective conference or explaining the party's decisions to its constituency. 'More damage than good' Some party members have welcomed Shivambu's axing. 'All of us are relieved at how things have played out. I think it's safe to say the biggest battle has been won,' one MK insider said. In September 2024, Shivambu led the party's municipal campaign in ward 33 in eThekwini, his first as a national organiser. It should have been a shoo-in for MK in an area where the DA was failing and the ANC was basically dead. The MK party had won more than 45% of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal in May last year, but Shivambu's efforts fell flat as its share of the vote dropped significantly in the by-election. Though MK has improved its votes in several other by-elections, it has struggled to maintain the momentum of the 2024 general elections. The insider said of Shivambu's time as a leader in the party: 'He did a lot more damage than good. We were bleeding people in KZN who are not used to that kind of leadership style. Come elections, we are confident that we will be able to recover lost ground.' Patrick Sindane, a former MK party member who chose to leave, dismissed claims that Shivambu's removal was a strategic decision, as some have suggested. Reflecting on his time in the party as someone with EFF roots, Sindane offered a blistering account of MK's internal dynamics on Radio 702. 'We were still associated and identified as EFF members and life is extremely difficult for you in MK if you come from the EFF, I can tell you from my own experiences,' he said. Whenever those who had defected from the EFF made suggestions about how the party ought to be run, they would be accused of 'bringing an EFF mentality, trying to hijack the organisation, and wanting to take over the organisation'. An MK party source said Zuma was particularly unimpressed with Shivambu's conduct, but feared getting rid of him as this might bring about more instability ahead of the local elections. This led to his redeployment to Parliament. 'It is not a strategic move. The only reason he gets to stay is to try to find some stability and work towards the local government elections, but beyond that, his days are numbered,' the source said. Tough times ahead As Shivambu prepares to make a comeback in Parliament, difficult times await him, particularly because the MK party is led in the house by John Hlophe, with whom he is rumoured not to be on good terms. He will also have to work with the likes of Ndhlela and Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who are said to be part of a faction that believes high-profile members who came from the EFF and ANC and were parachuted into senior positions, including Shivambu, Dali Mpofu, Mzwanele Manyi and Willies Mchunu, are destroying what the 'December 2023 crew' had started. On one occasion, Zuma-Sambudla publicly insulted Shivambu, calling him 'useless' and 'the worst thing that happened to MK'. She was later forcedto apologise. Shivambu will also work closely with Colleen Makhubele, who was recently appointed as MK's chief whip. Though Shivambu is more seasoned in parliamentary affairs, Makhubele holds seniority in rank and now occupies one of the top leadership roles in the party's caucus. Before her parliamentary debut, Makhubele led the South African Rainbow Alliance, a fledgling political outfit she had founded in the run-up to the 2024 elections. Despite bold ambitions, it barely made a dent at the polls, securing only 12,450 votes nationwide – a mere 0.03% – and later joined the chorus of voices alleging the elections had been rigged. Beyond these challenges, Shivambu's return also carries the burden of unresolved tensions with former EFF colleagues and the need to prove his political relevance beyond his time in the red berets. His comeback could also revive old rivalries. DM This story first appeared in our weekly DM168 newspaper, available countrywide for R35.
