‘Neheng wins Motsepe Foundation Race to Equality

TEBOHO KHATEBE MOLEFI

MASERU – Lesotho’s long-distance international runner, ‘Neheng Khatala, over the weekend scooped first position in a 21.1km half marathon race hosted by the Gender Equality, Wellness and Leadership (GEWAL) Unit of the Motsepe Foundation in South Africa.

This second edition of the race was a partnership with Athletics South Africa and was held on March 12 at the Marks Park Sports Complex at Emmarentia, Johannesburg.

Race to Equality is a movement that calls for solidarity against discrimination, and is hosted annually to mark International Women’s Day, the half-marathon is open to everyone in pursuit of the vision of building a gender equal and fair world.

Under the 2022 theme #BreakTheBias, the half-marathon was held to ignite fresh momentum toward social justice, by reflecting on the gains made during South Africa’s struggle for democracy and the progress that has been lost regarding women’s social and economic inclusion/belonging.

Speaking ahead of the race Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, the Co-Founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation noted that “A marathon, not a sprint, is an apt analogy for the movement toward gender equality.”

She continued that “It is possible to achieve a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination but we cannot do this in isolation. This community of supportive advocates and allies will race with a purpose to drive positive change.”

In this year’s version Khatala walked away with a whopping purse of M21 000.