Themba is running for a purpose

Sometimes the first step in the right direction can end up in a 450km run.

Themba Mathebula (36) is currently busy with a 450km run in 12 days from Centurion to Bushbuckridge.

The race started on Friday, December 4 until Tuesday, December 15. The #450KMRunForAPurpose challenge is to provide school shoes and sanitary towels for underprivileged children.

Themba said: “I’m doing the race because I was once in their situation where my parents could not afford to buy me a pair of shoes. I also don’t want to see young girls missing school and even dropping out because they cannot afford to buy sanitary towels. Access to education is a human right and poverty should not be a hindrance.”

When Themba was asked if this is his longest run he ever did, he replied: “Yes, this is nothing like the Comrades or the ultra marathons I had done in the past. It is very challenging but I’m encouraged knowing that 450 young learners stand to benefit.”

Themba’s longest run was in 2019 when he did the 90km Comrades Marathon. Well-driven is words that can describe Themba ‒ after the 450km race, he wants to continue being a change agent, using his passion for running as a good cause and extend his help to all learners in rural communities across the province.

“It’s possible, it can be done. Being a useful member of society motivates me, extending myself to someone in need is liberating and quite frankly human. Run means everything to me, especially knowing that lives is going to be impacted for good. I can take on the hardships on the road because it’s worth it,” said Themba.

Running 450km in 12 days is not something that every person can do and with the support behind Themba gives him the extra edge to take this challenge on smiling.

Themba said: “First, I would like to thank the social running community from Gauteng to Mpumalanga. Social runners have been coming through every day to lend moral support on the road. Emalahleni runners have been highly supportive and I’m truly humbled by their support. My employer, Vodacom has been supportive and also gave me two days paid volunteering leave so that I can focus on the initiative. I’m also truly grateful to Imbumba Foundation, through their Caring4Girls project for the commitment to brand match up to R15 000 for sanitary towels.”