The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Dr Vuyo Mthethwa announced that each of the 11 DUT runners who recently participated at the 2022 Comrades Marathon will be rewarded with R10 000. She shared these exciting news at the Comrades Marathon Luncheon hosted by the University at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus on Thursday, 22 September 2022.

The 11 runners consist of DUT staff and students namely; Dr David Mohale, Dr Zingisa Nyawose, Dr Sibusiso Sotsaka, Ms Colleen Lotz, Mr Adelo Myambo, Mr Craig Dennill, Mr Senzo Mdladla, Ms Yenziwe Olifant, Mr Khulekani Shabalala, Mr Thabani Mhlongo and Mr Rajen Eswarlal.

Dr Mthethwa who led the DUT team of supporters also had good news for this team who braved the cold and woke up in the early hours to be stationed at Cowies Hill to cheer the DUT runners on the day of the race. She revealed that each team member will be getting R5000 as a token of appreciation for standing behind the DUT runners during this difficult race. Dr Mthethwa applauded the runners for their determination in completing the race, while expressing her appreciation to the supporters especially, Ms Sushi Moodley, Personal Assistant to the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Ms Vasantha Govender, Manager: Public Relations and Marketing. She also revealed that last year, 2021, she had a chance to complete the Comrades Marathon virtually as part of its 100-year celebration.

This announcement came after the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, in his congratulatory message pleaded with Dr Mthethwa to offer a reward to the 11 runners for portraying a sense of excellence as identified in the ENVISION2030. Prof Mthembu said the runners might not have made it to the Top 11 in the Comrades Marathon but they are certainly in the Top 11 at DUT. He revealed that they have left a huge gap between them and the estimated 35 000 DUT Community members whom some like himself might retire without participating in this race. He also expressed his gratitude to the DUT team of supporters for availing themselves to offer support the runners.

The programme Director was Mr Bongani Yengwa, the Head of Sports Administration at DUT. He began by acknowledging the esteemed guests, the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at DUT: Dr Vuyo Mthethwa who led the DUT team of supports during this year’s Comrades Marathon. He applauded the 11 runners for successfully completing the race and urged them to join the DUT Athletics Club so that in the 2023 Comrades Marathon they will be wearing the DUT colours. Yengwa also praised DUT for rewarding excellence which he hoped will also encourage the DUT community to strive for excellence at all times.

Speaking on behalf of the runners was Dr David Mohale, Director: Special Projects at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. He acknowledged the support they received from Mr Yengwa, Dr Mthethwa, DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane, the supporters and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Mthembu, which he said gave them confidence to complete the race. He applauded Dr Mthethwa’s enthusiasm to the race, especially at her executive level.

“I have never seen someone so excited like Dr Mthethwa as if she was going to run, just to give support to the runners. It meant a lot to us to see her and the Registrar at the race, representing the institution at that level. We would like to thank them very much,” said Dr Mthethwa.

He also thanked the DUT supporters for their commitment and energy, saying they made the race to be much more exciting as there is no race without supporters. Dr Mohale mentioned that when he arrived in Pinetown he was impatiently looking for the DUT stand, saying he was relieved when he finally saw the DUT stand with the supporters full of energy, cheering him to push to the end of the race. As he left to continue with the race he felt recharged. He also expressed the runners’ appreciation to Dr Mthethwa and Prof Mthembu for the R10 000 reward, which came as a huge surprise to them.

In his vote of thanks Dr Mohale thanked Mr Yengwa on behalf of the runners and next year, 2023 they might consider joining the DUT Athletics Club.

The runners were awarded with certificates of appreciations and each received a gift bag, along with a promise that their money is on its way.

Pictured: DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, DVC: People and Operations, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa along with some of the DUT runners who recently completed the Comrades Marathon.

Simangele Zuma