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Half Marathon Launched at the 2nd Walk

Liberation Walk

The Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, in partnership with O.R. Tambo International Airport and the City of Ekurhuleni, has introduced a 21-kilometre half marathon for the second annual Liberation Walk this year. The race has already attracted significant interest among athletes in provinces such as the Eastern Cape, where OR Tambo was born and raised.

The first annual Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Liberation Walk in 2011 consisted of two walks: a 5-kilometre fun walk and a 17-kilometre walk that attracted just under 2 000 participants. This year, the event seeks to attract 5 000 participants with the total prize money of R150 000 for the 21-km half marathon and 10-km walk. First place will win R15 000 in the half marathon and R6 000 in the 10km walk. The traditional 5km fun walk remains an important part of the event for youth and communities to commemorate the Tambos and their struggle for liberation, while raising funds for deserving causes.

The theme for this year’s event is ‘Walk to Educate’. Proceeds from the walk will be allocated to improving the state of schools and creating school environments conducive to learning.

Ludeke Primary School in Mbizana Municipality in the Eastern Cape was identified as one of the beneficiaries of this year’s event. The school was founded in 1914 as Ludeke Methodist School. In 1923, at the age of seven, OR Tambo started his formal education at the school.

“Airports Company South Africa is proud to partner with the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation on this initiative. Our Corporate Social Investment focus has been on improving the state of disadvantaged schools, especially in the Eastern Cape, and this initiative allows us to reach more people while creating awareness for the great work done by the Foundation in uplifting the country’s educational system,” says Solomon Makgale, Group Communication Manager at Airports Company South Africa.

The Walk will take place on Saturday, 6 October 2012 at the O.R. Tambo International Airport Sports Grounds (old Denel grounds) in Kempton Park, and is expected to feature professional athletes. It will start at the O.R. Tambo International Airport, in the City of Ekurhuleni, where the Tambos lived and where they were laid to rest.

“This walk draws inspiration from the footsteps of OR Tambo and the upliftment of education, and we see this project as illustrating our commitment to ensuring that decent education is available to all citizens,” says the CEO of the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, Mr Mavuso Msimang.

“Ekurhuleni is excited to continue the partnership with the Foundation and the Liberation Walk/Run that commemorates and celebrates the Tambos and remembers their contribution to the struggle for liberation. The lives of the Tambos are a part of our history, not only as South Africans, but also as the City of Ekurhuleni because they played a significant role in empowering and liberating the residents of this city,” says Zweli Dlamini, Mayoral Spokesperson.

Entries for the Walk are open. Entry will cost R50,00 for the 5-kilometre fun walk, R70,00 for the 10-kilometre walk (excluding a temporary licence fee of R15,00) and R80,00 for the 21-kilometre half marathon (excluding temporary licence fee of R15,00).