City of Tshwane Municipality, together with its organising partner, Sportsvendo, today announced the postponement of the inaugural Tshwane City Marathon, due to take place on 13 and 14 December 2014.
The Tshwane City Marathon was established to commemorate the anniversary of the death of SA’s first democratic president, Nelson Mandela, with the route incorporating his funeral cortege procession from 1 Military Hospital to the Union Buildings and then the Waterkloof Air Force Base before he was laid to rest in his beloved Qunu. This was Madiba’s final journey through the streets of South Africa’s capital.
Tshwane’s Executive Mayor, Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa stated; “The Last Mile is a celebration of a life well lived by a beloved statesman and global icon. It is also a commemoration of South Africa’s 20 years of democracy, symbolising South Africa’s journey towards liberation and unity, a journey that culminated at the Union Buildings when Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected president in May 1994”.
After consultation with the event organisers, the City of Tshwane has decided to present the inaugural Tshwane City marathon next year, to allow for other commemorative events to take place in the capital this year, being the first year after Mr Mandela’s passing. The first of these events being the National Government’s 2014 Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day, also known as Unite4Mandela, an initiative of the National Sports and Recreation Department and the National Department of Arts and Culture.
In addition, Gauteng Province will present the 5km Mandela Remembrance Walk on December 13, 2014. This event was launched on November 11, 2014.
Councillor Ramakgopa continued: “The City and event organisers are forging ahead with plans to ensure that the residents of Tshwane, and all SA citizens will still be able to enjoy a world class marathon and road running event next year. The nation’s capital is dedicated to excellence on every level, and in honouring our greatest statesman, we will accept nothing less than the best.”
Further information and new event dates will be released in due course.
