CoJ backs Motsepe Foundation Race to Equality

As pressure mounts on President Cyril Ramaphosa to do away with the national state of disaster in the interest of resuscitating the ailing South African economy, the City of Joburg's number citizen has pledged her support for the sports, arts, culture and recreation economy which has been hardest hot by the Covid-19 lockdown. CoJ Executive Mayor Mpho Phalatse says it's time to reopen the economy which is why they are pulling out all the stops to ensure that this weekend's Race to Equality is a success.

"As a City we are very concerned about the economic impacts of the Corona Virus pandemic over the last two years," said Phalatse during a press conference ahead of the Motsepe Foundation's race on 12 March. "We are part of the Presidential Coordinating Council where we sit with the President, Premier, Metro Meyers and discuss the state of the nation and where we are with regards to the pandemic. There is consensus that we need to see more opening up the economy for those suppressed sectors to start to function. But we need to do so in a responsible way."

The mayor's commitment means that City of Joburg is ready to host thousands of people who will converge upon Marks Park to run and walk 21,1km, 10km and 5km on Saturday morning. And with equal prize money of R21 000 for the winning men and women in the half marathon, the start list is expected to be a mouthwatering assembly of some of the country's very best top runners.

The Phalula Twins pose for a photo with Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe of the Motsepe Foundation at the launch of the Race to Equality. Dr. Moloi-Motsepe says the point of the race is to raise awareness about the need for gender equality. Photo Credit: Lebogang Phalula-Luthuli.

Lebo and Lebogang Phalula and Rene Kalmer have already signed up for the women's race, while Olympians Elroy Gelant and Desmond Mokgobu are expected to line up in the men's race. "It's a big day for athletes. I would like to take this opportunity and thank the #MotsepeFoundation for coming on board, with hopefully more races still to come as they mentioned. I'm looking forward to work with them, not forgetting our president James Moloi. We thank him very much and we really appreciate the work he does for the athletes," said Lebogang Phalula-Luthuli as she celebrated the return of races which allows elite athlete to once again earn a living.