On the 104th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, sports enthusiasts gathered at the Lehurutshe Stadium in North West to honour Mandela Month filled with goodwill. It is massively through Nelson Mandela that the nation has been reminded of Ubuntu; together we are one.
The Lehurutshe Community Organization (LCO) is behind this campaign. They find a responsibility to their community in keeping the Ubuntu spirit alive. In understanding the community’s background of being disadvantaged, they stand for the value Madiba stood for by assisting each other.
Sports fans were encouraged to donate from R67 to R1 Million. They got to participate in the 67km road cycling, a 21km run, 6.7km walk, and or Aerobics at the Lehurutshe Stadium with their donation proceedings going to the Home Based Care Centres in Lehurutshe. This began as a cycling day traditionally in celebration of the publicized life and values of Nelson Mandela; a person is a person because of other people. Cycling is still the main activity of the day, starting at the Lehurutshe Stadium going through Dinokana Village along the N4, through another village called Ga-Radigudu* to come back through Dinokana to the stadium again. #RideForACause has assisted many through the pandemic’s peak and keeps growing as year has additional activities.
On Saturday, July 16th, 2022, the day started with an hour for late registration from 07:00 and then the half Marathon commenced just after 08:00. The Cycling started 30 minutes after the runners set off, and then the Fun Walk started shortly after 09:00. At a little to 11:00 I joined in on the field with the aerobics that went on for just about an hour and at 13:33, when everyone had gathered back to the stadium, lunch, and more refreshments were served.
The Leader of the LCO Lesedi Mogale, stated to NewzRoom Afrika that in the past this event has helped the Ke Barona Old Age Home, which had a project of extending its facilities. This event managed to donate R50 000 to that project. In the Motswedi Village, the Areka* Old Age Home got funded with about R20 000 worth of groceries. Through the lockdown in their first event, they were able to donate groceries of food parcels to about 10 families in the villages of Lobatla and Moshana from the money raised.
It feels good to be part of goodwill for our community while simultaneously giving a helping hand, too. The activities were fun and mingling with like-minded folks who have the same interests is always a pleasure – especially when you make a friend! I look forward to next year’s event with excitement.
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