THE late founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala, will be honoured with an annual marathon.
The Bhekiziwe Joseph Shabalala Marathon is set to take place in Ladysmith, KZN, on 11 February next year.
The marathon will be organised by Joseph’s son Thulani, who said it was his father’s big dream to organise a marathon in his home town.
Thulani, who is also Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s co-leader, told Daily Sun his father told them the marathon should start next to his parents’ graves.
“My father grew up in eMbuzweni and that’s where his parents’ graves are located. The marathon will start there as he wished, go through rural areas and end at the Ladysmith Indoors Sports Centre,” he said.
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Thulani said the marathon will be divided into four categories.
“We will have 42km and 21km categories for professional runners and a 10km walk, which is open to everyone,” he said.
“We will have a 2km marathon for kids aged six to 13, because we want to teach them discipline.”
Joseph’s widow, Thoko, told the People’ Paper she was happy Thulani was finally making his father’s dream come true.
“It was Joseph’s big dream to have a marathon in his rural home town,” she said.
“I wish for Thulani not to stop doing this marathon, even if he doesn’t get sponsors. He should continue with his own money.”
