'We have lost a man with passion for running' - Tributes pour in for late Comrades stalwart Alen 'Ngwenya' Hattingh
Following the shocking passing of Alen Lucas Hattingh on Saturday 14 December, the athletics community in KwaZulu-Natal is in mourning. Described as a passionate administrator and volunteer, the 72-year-old served athletics for over 30 years in different capacities from KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) to the board of the Comrades Marathon. Former KZNA President Sello Mokoena says Hattingh was a remarkable figure in promoting the sport, especially Cross Country, adding that his passing will leave a huge hole.
"I was shocked when I heard the news. Alen was a great person who was loved by many athletics people in the province for his contributions in promoting the athletics. We have lost a man with passion for running. When I first met Alen, he was already serving in the structures of cross country while I was still running at that time. He never missed any of the Cross Country races happening in the province. Besides Cross Country, he also played a valuable role in road running. I would describe him as an all-rounder person who dedicated his life to running. As a province, its a great loss and I would like to pass my condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time," said Mokoena reflects on Hattingh's passing.
A promising runner during his time, his athletic career was cut short by a car accident which left him confined to a wheelchair. But that didn't extinguish his deep love for the sport. As a member of one of the oldest clubs in Durban, the Westville Athletics Club, Hattingh began by serving at race and was a constant figure at the results table, taking the results in which he would share with various media outlets throughout the province.
Veteran athletics journalist Mzwamandla Zondi says he remembers Hattingh as a man who was good at compiling accurate results long before modern electronic timing came into being. "In the years, when it was hard to obtain race results online, Hattingh made it easy for us as the journalists in the province. Every Sunday, he would make sure all media personnel get the results. If the results did not appear in the newspaper on Monday, he would give me a call asking why they were not published. That's how passionate he was about running. It a sad day for us as an athletics family," he shared.
But Hattingh's passing will be felt most keenly by those with whom he worked closely during his time with the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA). The honorary vice president of Ladysmith AC and lifetime member of Queensburgh Harriers, was a dedicated volunteer on the Comrades Marathon Novice Hospitality portfolio and a former CMA Board member, of which he served for a total of six years. He also chaired the CMA's CSI & Charities Committee. Former CMA Chairperson, Cheryl Winn says his contribution to The Ultimate Human Race will endure through the lives he touched.
"Alen's love affair with athletics and the Comrades Marathon began 45 years ago as a teenager with the Ladysmith Athletics Club. After the accident in 1973, Alen moved to the Westville Athletics Club in 1990, where he remained an active member and served as a road captain, cross-country captain and vice chairperson. Alen was a source of inspiration, motivation and great humility to us all at Comrades. Through the courage, indomitable spirit, unstinting loyalty, cheerfulness, resilience and generosity of spirit with which he set a shining example to us all. May his soul rest in peace."
Westville AC will hold a time trial in Hattingh's honour on Tuesday 17 December at 17H45.