MTN will improve Marathon arrangments
FAIRLAND – MTN denied poor communication allegations.
Cellular network provider MTN vehemently denies that they didn’t communicate with the residents prior to the 21km half marathon.
Some Fairland and Northcliff residents expressed dissatisfaction because event organisers did not liaise with them prior to the event on 4 June. Some residents were so frustrated that they took to Facebook.
Ward 89 councillor Ingrid Reinten said the communication with the residents was limited and the lack of engagement also frustrated residents.
“The allegations made by the residents are not true. Throughout our pre-event arrangements and planning meetings the matter was discussed in finest detail between the race organisers, Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) and JPMD,” said MTN SA Foundation, general manager, Kusile Mtunzi-Hairwadzi.
She further explained that the route of the race was also advertised on 12 May and 1 000 A5 flyers were in fact handed to the CGA representatives for distribution to the affected areas.
“We have considered how we can make the access to the venue much easier accessible. We also have taken into consideration that the residents not necessarily residing along the set routes would be affected by the traffic, and feel confident that our 2017 arrangements will ensure a much smoother transition,” she continued.
During the next event, MTN will allocate park-and-ride facilities, traffic advisory boards which will be along the race route, road posters in the race area which is generally informing residents about the race and distribution of race flyers to residents as well as local councillors.
“An official apology has been sent out through the MTN social media platforms. The biggest complaint was not so much about residents unhappy about congestion in their areas, but more about the actual 21km and 10 km runners who were disgruntled about the medals they received,” she explained.
MTN was, however, truly encouraged by the number of participants. “The event was oversubscribed, we plan to improve on our contingency planning in the next coming years, focusing on security and logistics,”she concluded.
Details: MTN South Africa, 083 214 5681.
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