Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

The life of the late ANC struggle hero Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu will be remembered through athletics in Mamelodi.

This is after Athletics Gauteng North, in partnership with Zwakala Athletics Club and the community of Mamelodi, decided to host a landmark race on Sunday known as the Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Race.

The theme of this 10km race is "The Legend of Hope". It will be an annual event

There will also be a 5km walk which will be staged at the Solomon Mahlangu Square.

The races are sanctioned by Athletics South Africa.

Mahlangu was hanged during the apartheid government in Pretoria Central Prison on April 6 1979.

"Solomon Mahlangu contributed immensely in the struggle against the apartheid regime and is hailed by many South Africans, not only in Mamelodi, but countrywide and abroad. We feel very honoured to be part of this initiative," Molatelo Malehopo, ASA's acting general manager, said yesterday.

The race starts at 7am and finishes at the Solomon Mahlangu Square.

Runners will pass through a number of landmark areas including the 21 Mamelodi Massacre, Freddy Mortuary, Dr Nico Smith's House, Dr Fabian Ribeiro's House, Mamelodi High School, Moretele Park, Solomon Mahlangu National Heritage House and Mamelodi Cemetery.

"We are proud to be associated with an event of this magnitude and this forms part of our joint initiative with our communities to support initiatives aimed at scouting athletics talent in our area," said Mike Matlala, Zwakala Athletics Club's president.

Winners in both categories will take home R2 000 . Runners-up will pocket R1 500, and those placed third will receive R1 000. Entry fee is R30 and R10 for the race and walk, respectively

Mahlangu was born in Pretoria on July 10 1956. He attended Mamelodi High School. He joined the ANC in September 1976 and was trained as an Umkhonto we Sizwe soldier in Angola and Mozambique.