Teacher runs 24 hours for school fundraiser
Kwanda ran 150km in one day to honour two schools close to his heart
Manguzi-born Kwanda Sibiya continues to live out his motto, ‘Endurance Builds Character’.
On Saturday, the Hilton College science teacher ran 150km in one day to honour two schools close to his heart.
Kwanda, who is also a housemaster, initiated the run in partnership with his foundation and Hilton College as both a celebration and a fundraiser.
‘The aim of the run was to firstly celebrate Hilton College’s milestone 150 year anniversary, and to challenge other schools, especially rural and township schools, to listen and learn from their story.
‘Secondly, we are in the process of raising funds to establish a science centre and library at Hambisanani High School, my old school, in Manguzi,’ he said.
Kwanda is no stranger to such epic and courageous challenges. On 16 June, he led a team of six people on an eight-day, 500km run and cycle from Hilton College to Manguzi, to raise funds for two orphaned children in the northern KZN town.
‘As a child, I was more focused on academics and a little bit of sport here and there, but running has changed my life. I weighed 115kg and was feeling tired every day, so I started running and developed the discipline.
‘Now, at 92kg I feel that a healthy lifestyle is very important to every one of us,’ he said.
For the 24-hour fundraiser run around the school grounds, Kwanda was joined by hundreds of friends, students, colleagues and strangers.
Those who couldn’t attend the race physically were able to access it via Zoom, and participate remotely while making the R150 donation.
Kwanda, who has been a teacher at Hilton College for four years, said the communities from both schools have already shown massive support in improving the infrastructure and the academic programmes.
Though he was happy with the turnout for Saturday’s run, Kwanda said he is still determined to encourage more participation from his old schoolmates at Hambisanani.
‘I feel that getting my Hambisanani alumni has not been easy, but I know culture change takes time.
‘I will patiently persuade them until we are on the same page,’ he said.
‘I am grateful for the support from Hilton College and the community, friends and family and Hambisanani High School.’
Anyone wanting to support Kwanda in his fundraising initiatives can contact him on +27 71 875 1735
