MEC Zikalala To Participate in the Historic Chief Albert Luthuli Legacy Half Marathon

2017-07-20

[Groutville, South Africa, 20 July 2017] History will be made this Saturday when hundreds of athletes, industry leaders and the general public take part in a half marathon and walk which will follow in the footsteps of Chief Albert Luthuli. Luthuli was Africa's first Nobel Peace Laureate and one of the greatest leaders the African continent has ever produced.

The Chief Albert Luthuli Legacy Walk and Half Marathontakes place on Saturday, 22 July 2017 in Groutville. It is a day after the 50thanniversary of Luthuli's untimely death after a mysterious accident on the railway bridge in Groutville, KwaZulu-Natal on 21 July 1967.

Luthuli, who is also the former African National Congress President, led a successful defiance campaign against the oppressive South African government in the 1950s.

Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Mr Sihle Zikalala will take part in the 21 kilometre half marathon which will start at 7:30 am at Inkosi Albert Luthuli's Statue in KwaDukuza and end at the Groutville Sports field.

Highlighting the importance of the marathon, Zikalala described Luthuli as a liberation struggle giant who was recognised internationally for his efforts to end racial segregation in South Africa. "I have decided to take part in the marathon to honour Inkosi Luthuli for the immeasurable contribution he made in different sectors.

"Luthuli excelled when he led the African National Congress, his church and as a traditional leader (inkosi). The activities that have been organised to honour him will not only assist us to remind ourselves about the role he played, but will also enable us to emulate him so that we can deal with the challenges we face today."

The event in Luthuli's honour is spearheaded by Groutville community leader Zakhele Gumede and supported by the Ilembe District Municipality, the KwaDukuza Municipality, Enterprise iLembe and the Luthuli Museum. There will also be a charity golf day for corporate participants and other interested parties at Prince's Grant Golf Estate Friday 21 July, ahead of the walk and half marathon.

 

While the routes differ for the 11.5 kilometreChief Albert Luthuli Legacy Walk and the 21 km Chief Albert Luthuli Legacy Half Marathon, the highlight of both will be the opportunity for participants to set foot on the railway bridge where Luthuli was allegedly hit by a train and to visit his memorial site situated in close proximity.

 

The route passes several iconic sites that contribute to the prolific history of the area. These include the Mahatma Gandhi memorial and statue of Chief Luthuli on Chief Albert Luthuli Street, the King Shaka Visitor's Centre which houses Shaka's grave, the Observation Rock upon which King Shaka used to sit and watch his impis according to Zulu history, the soccer field where then New York senator Robert F Kennedy's helicopter landed when he visited Chief Luthuli in 1966, and Luthuli's final resting place at the Groutville Congregational Church Graveyard.The town's Luthuli Museum has also been proclaimed a national monument and includes the original 1927 home of Chief Luthuli situated at 3233 Nokukhanya Luthuli Street.

 

"In KwaDukuza we have a rich legacy and we hope these events will help us use our heritage to build a tourism economy," said Gumede.

 

Pre-registration for the Chief Albert Luthuli Legacy Walk and Half Marathonand the charity golf event is essential. For more information or to register, visit www.luthuliwalk.org.za. Late collections of accreditation will be available at 06h00 at the Luthuli Museum on Saturday, ahead of the walk and marathon.

 

The entry fee for the race and half marathon is R100.00 per person which includes a T-shirt and a badge. Registration for the charity golf day is R3000.00 per four-ball or R750.00 for singles, with overnight accommodation at Prince's Grant Golf Estate available if required and for the guest's own account.

 

All proceeds will go towards GroutvilleIntuthukoYethu NPO formed by the Groutville community.

 

For all enquiries, contact organiser Zakhele Gumede on zsgumede@live.co.za or call 082-8044488.

 

Also follow the events on social media:

Facebook:        https://www.facebook.com/luthuliwalk

Instagram:         @luthuliwalk

Twitter:              @luthuliwalk


ENDS

Issued by:

Lunga Ngcobo

Ntsika Communications

Cell. 083-288 9653 / 078-805 0035

lunga@ntsikacommunications.co.za

 

On behalf of:

Zakhele Gumede

Cell: 082-80 444 88

zsgumede@live.co.za

 

For more information contact:
Bongani Tembe
Cell: 082 327 2600

Lunga Ngcobo
Cell: 083 288 9653 / 078 805 0035