With the full support and endorsement of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the continued theme for the relay hangs on Madiba's words; 'It's in your hands now'. This theme speaks to the need for all South Africans to contribute to a better country, to be the custodians of integrity and volunteer whenever possible to help those around them, through their commitment to 67 minutes to every year on Mandela Day and beyond. "We know the participants of the relay are the beacons of light in their environments, upholding the principles that Tata Nelson Mandela gave us to take forward," said Sello Hatang, Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
"The relay had moved from July to September to reinforce the idea the everyday is a Mandela Day. This helps us to make a truly sustainable impact to our society," he said. Hatang added that by hosting the event during Heritage month, South Africans should embrace the concept of committing to helping others as part of the heritage that Mandela left us. This is what we pass on to generations to come.
The annual relay, which promotes a spirit of camaraderie and support, has found a new home this year - moving from Sunninghill, to the south of Johannesburg. Speaking on the change in location, Greg Maloka, Managing Director of Kaya FM said the event had grown over the last two years, and there was a need to identify a larger venue, with capacity to accommodate many more people choosing to make every day a Mandela Day, by running the relay.
"We have been greatly encouraged by the support of corporates, the running community, and that of every-day South Africans, who come out every year to run with their friends, colleagues and family members, in remembering the values and principles that Tata Nelson Mandela lived for," said Maloka. "We are grateful to the Waterfall Estate Polo Fields for hosting this relay at inception , and we are confident that we can only continue to grow at the new home of the Kaya FM 67km Relay - the Nasrec Expo Centre," he added.
As Gauteng's premier corporate relay, the Kaya FM 67km Relay is a highlight of the City of Johannesburg calendar of sporting events, with strong corporate representation. The event will be hosted by Cllr Parks Tau, Mayor of the City of Johannesburg. Race organisers, GSE, have set a target of 1 200 teams of ten to enter the race, with an expectation of 12,000 runners on race-day. "Our entries are currently open and we're encouraging those who have run the relay in the last two years to register again. And we are also appealing to all of corporate South Africa to commit to running this race, and extend the reach of the support they gave Mandela Day, a few weeks ago," said GSE.
The relay has in the past attracted globally acclaimed marathon and ultramarathon athlete, Bruce Fordyce, and was last year run by South Africa's Miss Earth finalists. Families can also enter the Family Race, which will allow younger runners to participate in a relay distance that is suitable for them.
Entertainment is always on the cards after the race, and this year's event will include more celebrity involvement and music performances after the race. The relay stage has seen great talent from The Soil and former Liquideep member, Ziyon
For more information on registration, visit: http://kaya67relay.co.za/
