The pouring rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of racegoers at the Motsepe Race to Gender Equality at the Randburg Sports Complex this past weekend. Now in its fourth year, the event advocates for a shift in social values, promoting a fair and equal world where everyone could excel in their respective fields.
The event was attended by the City of Johannesburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development, Cllr Tebogo Nkokou, alongside representatives from the office of the Executive Director, Ward Councillor Lucinda Harman, the Sport and Recreation Directorate, and CRUM Region B.
Passing by symbolic landmarks such as Constitutional Hill and the Nelson Mandela Bridge, the Race to Gender Equality highlighted that while progress has been made, there is still a long way to go to achieve gender parity.
MMC Nkokou praised the race, its stakeholders, and participants. “The Race to Equality is a movement that calls for solidarity against discrimination. Hosted annually to mark International Women’s Day, the half-marathon 21km, 10km, and 5km race is open to everyone who shares the vision of building a gender-equal and fair world.”
“Equality is not just a women’s issue; it’s a human issue. It was my absolute privilege to be part of this prestigious event, hosted by the Centre for Gender Equality, Wellness, and Leadership at the Motsepe Foundation. Once again, well done to all who graced this event. It was a monumental success,” concluded Cllr Nkokou.
Inspired by Nelson Mandela, who famously said that sport has the power to change the world, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Co-Founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation, remarked: “Sports serve as a public arena that can either reinforce or radically shift our perceptions of gender. Equal opportunities will enable more women and girls to discover their unique gifts and share them with the world.”
Olympic gold medallist and Race Ambassador Caster Semenya added: “I am honoured to work with organisations such as the Motsepe Foundation, who believe that the future of sports is equal. I envision a world where every athlete has an equal chance to succeed, regardless of their gender. Empowering women in sports is a catalyst for empowering women everywhere. We know that sport has the power to change the world. By promoting gender equality, we can create a more inclusive and respectful culture that benefits everyone. This achievement requires collective action.”
South Africa’s Bennet Seloyi won the men’s race in 1:06:31 and was followed by Kenyan Philemon Koskey a minute later. Cacisile Sosibo won the women’s leg in 1:14:38 and fellow South African Diana Phalula was second in 1:15:14.
Written by Maseipati Tsotsotso