Walking in Madiba's footsteps in Houghton for Mandela Day

Former President Nelson Mandela photographed walking in Houghton

FILE - Former President Nelson Mandela photographed walking in Houghton. Photo: Supplied

Published Jul 6, 2022

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Johannesburg — This year, in celebration of Mandela Day, the Nelson Mandela Foundation is hosting its inaugural Mandela Day Houghton Run on Sunday, 17 July, a day before what would have been his 104th birthday.

The event, which will honour the birthday of the global human rights icon, the late Nelson Mandela, will be held in the grand old suburb of Houghton, where Madiba often walked in his later years. Many people were often surprised to find him walking the streets with his bodyguards in tow.

"I have always believed exercise is a key not only to physical health but to peace of mind," Mandela wrote in Long Walk to Freedom.

FILE - South African President Nelson Mandela takes a 6 am walking along Park Lane, accompanied by his bodyguards, during a visit to London, July 1996. He is wearing a track suit in the South African national colours, with the Olympic logo on them. Photo: Supplied

As an added treat for participants, Multi award-winning group Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be participating in this inaugural event in celebration of our first democratically elected President, Nelson Mandela, with whom they shared many memorable gatherings, including the awarding of his Nobel Peace Prize.

The 8km race route will incorporate some iconic sites, such as Madiba's 12th street House, the Sanctuary Mandela on 13th Street and the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Central Street.

The Old Edwardians club will host the start and finish of the race, with Virgin Active Houghton hosting the race warm-up. Interestingly, the establishment of Virgin Active was a direct result of Nelson Mandela's intervention to financially rescue the former Health & Racquet Clubs by reaching out to Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group in Britain.

Other businesses based in the neighbourhood who have lent their support to the event are Power FM, Vision Tactical & Indwe Insurance.

The race will start at 8 am and will be timed with Discovery Vitality offering 300 points for members to complete the distance. Tickets are available at ticket pro for a donation of R200. All race proceeds will go towards the work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Entries are limited, so make sure you enter soon.