Pink and loud Joburg
JOBURG CBD – Thousands compete in the annual Totalsports Women's Run.
Peace and quiet that normally characterises a South African public holiday was certainly not found in the Joburg CBD on Women’s Day, 9 August.
Excited cheers, pumping music and dancing in the streets were the order of the day, as thousands participated in the Totalsports Women’s Run.
The run comprised of a 5km fun run/walk and the main event, a 10km run/walk, both starting and finishing at the Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown.
Thousands, mostly women, wore pink and came to show support for a good cause, as funds from the event go to PinkDrive. Runners made their way through Joburg’s streets and across the Nelson Mandela Bridge, turning a grey urban landscape shockingly pink.
South African 10km race star, Lebogang Phalula, could not beat her record of 00:33:32 from last year, but still finished first in the main event. She finished with the time 00:33:41, and was very happy with the result.
Second place went to Mapaseka Makhanya, in 00:35:55. She said it was a cold morning but the run was good. “If there is one thing I could say to all women it is believe in yourself, trust yourself and love yourself,” she said.
The race was not serious for everyone, and many people turned up in pink tutus and bright, colourful outfits. Many families also participated, with parents pushing babies in prams.
“It is a nice day out for the family,” said Arrian Wensel, as he pushed his baby daughter Drea in a pram.
His wife, Poshia, said that women needed to not be silent about issues such as breast cancer, and should have mammograms done regularly.
Ntombi Khumalo, who came with a group of friends, said that if you strike a woman, you strike many women. She added that gender-based violence needs more attention in society.
