Comrades celebrates at annual awards gala

This prestigious event, held in Durban, celebrated the exceptional qualities of selflessness, dedication, perseverance, and Ubuntu that define the spirit of the world’s biggest, oldest and most famous ultramarathon, the Comrades Marathon.

The GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards Gala, a tradition since 1996, honours three remarkable individuals each year. These individuals are recognised not only for their achievements in the race but also for the embodiment of their noble values associated with The Ultimate Human Race.

Reflecting on the values of selflessness, dedication, courage, perseverance, and Ubuntu, the spirit of humanity, the awards honour those who inspire others and contribute to their communities. Dr Vuyo Gqola, Chief Operations Officer at GEMS, expressed the Scheme’s commitment, saying, “GEMS is proud to partner with the Comrades Marathon Association in celebrating the Spirit of Comrades. This partnership aligns with our mission to promote health and wellness; and embodies our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can pursue their dreams.”

The three GEMS Spirit of Comrades recipients were awarded a one-ounce, 24 carat pure gold medallion. More than that, the award is a very notable recognition of someone who embodies the Comrades spirit and inspires others to be selfless and showcase the inherent values of goodness in humanity.

The selection process for these awards is rigorous, with scores of nominations received from Comrades Marathon participants, supporters and the general public. The CMA’s Heritage & Traditions Committee carefully adjudicated these nominations, emphasizing acts of service, sacrifice, courage, and perseverance. The final recommendations were then approved by the CMA Board.

FIRST RECIPIENT: KLAUS NEUMANN

Klaus entered, and completed, his first Comrades Marathon in 1993. Since then he has earned 28 medals, ranging from Bill Rowans to Bronzes and Vic Claphams.

He is currently the Comrades Brand Ambassador for Germany. As such, he regularly participates in races in many areas of Germany and its neighbouring countries and, in the process, he has continuously promoted the Comrades Marathon and encouraged his fellow countrymen and women to make the trip to South Africa, to experience the excitement of the Comrades and the hospitality of South Africans along the race route.

He has been an enthusiastic tour host on the International Bus Tour for 13 years, and earned his Green Name, in recognition thereof, in 2019. His detailed knowledge of the race, and the race route, gained over many years, has proved highly beneficial to novice runners, specifically those on the German-speaking bus.

He has been a massive supporter of the Comrades Marathon over a lengthy period, consistently demonstrating his passion and love for the race. On the odd occasion when he hasn’t made it to the finish line, you would be inclined to think, from his effervescent enthusiasm, that he was, indeed, the race winner.

He is, unquestionably, a worthy recipient of the GEMS Spirit of Comrades Award.

Klaus says, “Running is my life and running the Comrades is the icing on the cake. The annual pilgrimage to Durban, meeting with my running friends, the atmosphere at the start, Shosholoza, the great support along the route by enthusiastic spectators, the camaraderie among the runners, the vibe at the finish line. I am very happy to be part of it and I hope this will last for many more years.”

SECOND RECIPIENT: SHAHIEDA THUNGO

Shahieda Thungo also known in the running community as Makhi, is a well-known driver of the Comrades Marathon 12-hour bus, having successfully delivered 6 busses. This compassionate Comrades pacer has helped many runners to finish just before the 12-hour cutoff. She is the only known female bus driver that has consistently served slow runners, serving as their last hope.

She has completed 7 Comrades Marathons, her best time being 11:48:55 in 2023. Shahieda is a driven individual. Through her determined spirit, she has survived some of the challenges life has thrown at her, including depression and cancer.

She is an inspiration to all those who know her. Her passion for life and dedication to the runners will still carry many runners across the finish line.

Shahieda says, “Comrades is the one journey that gets you to experience and learn a lot about yourself. It teaches you patience, resilience and mental fortitude. Most importantly it teaches you about ubuntu or ‘humanity’ as it is known – about sharing, caring and just how equal we all are.”

THIRD RECIPIENT: ESTIENNE ARNDT

Estienne Arndt is passionate about The Ultimate Human Race, having run his first Comrades in 1979. In 1987 he ran the Comrades Marathon in slip slops with some friends as a fundraising drive for Little Eden, an organization caring for people with intellectual disabilities.

He returned yet again with a different group of friends the following year, running in kilts and slip slops. Tragically that year he lost his foot in a motorcycle accident but that did not stop him from participating again. He came back in full force in the 1990s, becoming the first amputee to finish the Comrades with a prosthesis, and receiving his Green Number in 1996.

Estienne completed 13 Comrades Marathons in total, four of which as an amputee. He achieved his best time of 07:26:07 in 1981. He is certainly an adrenaline junkie, not only having founded the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon, but having organized it for decades before deciding to tackle this gruelling race at the age of 69 for Little Eden.

Estienne says, “The Comrades Marathon was in my time an annual institution in the life of any runner. It was and I believe still is, The Ultimate Ultra Marathon that every long distance runner strives to complete. May it continue for as many years as it has been in existence, if not longer.”

CMA JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR: MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

The Comrades Journalist of the Year Award was presented to Independent Newspapers Limited reporter, Matshelane Mamabolo. He is a veteran journalist and editor whose involvement in the sports journalism industry goes back to 1996.

He has several awards to his name and this year added yet another accolade to his impressive list of accomplishments, as the Top Journalist who covered The Ultimate Human Race most extensively.

Not new to being presented this esteemed accolade, Matshelane has previously been bestowed the honour of CMA Top Journalist twice. He is indeed passionate about the race.

Not only does he fervently put pen to paper when it comes to the Comrades Marathon, but he has also put foot to the road since 2017, having completed a total of 3 Comrades Marathons to date, with a best time of 08:24:28.

Matshelane says, “For me, the Comrades Marathon is South Africa’s greatest sporting event and even though to most people, it is a race that happens out in KwaZulu-Natal sometime in June, the reality is that Comrades is a year long running extravaganza because almost every time a runner laces up, it is with The Ultimate Human Race in mind.”

“To be adjudged the Comrades Top Journalist – for the third time having also won in 2018 and 2019 – is an honour I cherish because there are many of my colleagues who covered the event with distinction.”

CMA TOP CHARITY FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR: MAHESH RATANJEE

The CMA is exceedingly proud and passionate about the Comrades Ambeadibeadi Charity Drive which benefitted six officially recognised charities this year. To this end, the CMA presented its Comrades Marathon Top Charity Fundraiser Award to the person who has raised the most funds for the Comrades Charities.

Mahesh Ratanjee, being the top fundraiser for 2024, raised nearly R200-thousand rand for his charity of choice, the Community Chest.

He said, “Having achieved 3 Comrades finishes and simultaneously raising funds as a Superhero for Community Chest has been a rewarding experience. My wife, Ashmita, and I continue to suffer the loss of our daughter, and we’ve since been dedicated to providing care wherever possible to children. Donning the red Superhero cape in support of the Community Chest’s Early Childhood Development program enabled me to run my Comrades with a greater purpose.”

“It is an honour to be associated with two formidable brands, the Comrades Marathon, which is in its 97th edition of the race, and the Community Chest, with its 93-year history. Receiving the recognition for the highest overall Race4Charity fundraiser will no doubt be one of my greatest achievements.”

CMA CHAIRPERSON’S AWARD: DIANE STOWELL

This being the second year since the CMA Chairperson’s Award was introduced, the honour was bestowed on a long-standing Comrades Marathon volunteer and supporter of the race. The award recognizes outstanding individuals who contribute in meaningful ways to the Comrades Marathon and to society in general. The awardee is generally nominated and selected by members of the CMA Board.

The recipient of this year’s CMA Chairperson’s Award was Diane Stowell. Diane
has been part of the Comrades Marathon Association family since 1996. Being the wife of the late Adrian Stowell, who served the CMA in various capacities, including being a member of the Board for over 20 years and serving as Chairperson from 1997 to 1999, meant commitment to the CMA as well.

She became actively involved in the planning of the race, and as part of the Race Organizing Committee, she diligently and expertly managed the VIP Portfolio over the years. None of life’s challenges has ever deterred Di from doing what she does best. Her passion and love for The Ultimate Human Race has earned the respect of many.

Di says, “The Comrades Marathon is more than just a road-running race to our family. It has taught us that in order to succeed, one must have strength, hope, determination and resilience. These are qualities that we have all drawn strength from, particularly over the last couple of challenging years.”

“I have been inspired by many people who are involved in the Comrades Marathon, not only the runners, but also the people supporting and working together to create the success of this race. Meeting President Nelson Mandela twice as well as going to other marathons, both local and overseas, have been some of the highlights for me. My life has been enriched over the years by our family’s involvement in the Comrades Marathon.”

CMA GREEN NAME RECOGNITION

The CMA also honoured Interim Vice Chairperson, Peter Proctor with his Quadruple Green Name for his long-standing service to the Comrades Marathon.

In a similar spirit, Seals Swimming Club was bestowed with Green Name honours for their over 40 years of hosting a refreshment station along the Comrades route.

Also recognized at the awards gala was CMA sponsor, Interflora, for their generous flower sponsorship spanning more than three decades.

CMA Interim Chairperson Jeff Minnaar said, “We take pleasure in congratulating and honouring all of our recipients tonight, each of them deserving of the esteemed accolades that have been bestowed upon them. The pride and passion emanating from each of these awardees is palpable and I hope it will serve to inspire each and every one of us to give more, to do more and to be more. The Comrades Marathon brings that out in us.”

Minnaar added, “My sincere gratitude goes out to GEMS for hosting tonight’s beautiful function. We also thank all of our other sponsors and partners, for their contribution to the success of the Comrades Marathon; and for making runners dreams come true. We could not do this without you. To our athletes, our supporters, our volunteers, the Board, Staff and Race Organising Committee, who go beyond the call of duty; to our charity runners who add value to the charitable landscape and showcase the true spirit of humanity, you are all heroes – we see you and we value you. Thank you.”