Ithala SOC Limited is excited to celebrate the participation of its employees in the 98th Comrades Marathon, held on Sunday, June 8, 2025, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. This renowned race, known as “The Ultimate Human Race,” featured over 22,000 runners tackling the challenging 89.98 km course.
Among the participants were Ithala’s staff members, who exemplified the spirit of perseverance and personal well-being. Ithala places a strong emphasis on wellness through its partnership with “Lyra,” formerly known as “ICAS.
” The organization encourages its employees to engage in sports and activities that enhance mental wellness. Dr. Thulani Vilakazi, the CEO of Ithala SOC Limited, stated, “Ithala is immensely proud of its employees who rose to the challenge, which requires dedication. Their participation reflects our organization’s values of resilience, community engagement, and pushing beyond limitations. We celebrate their achievement in completing this gruelling race and contributing to the vibrant spirit of this historic event, showcasing the same determination and commitment they bring to their work in serving the people of KwaZulu-Natal.”
Smanga Mbatha, one of the employees who participated in this year’s marathon, completed the race in just 11:29:54 this year and 10:50:11 2024. “I planned to start in 2023, but I suffered an injury after registering. This year, I was able to earn my back-to-back medal,” he shared. The support from local residents, friends, and community members inspired him to return this year. “Crossing the finish line makes you realize that there is nothing you can’t do once you put your mind to it. Finding my colleagues waiting for me at the finish line was the highlight of the experience,” he added, thanking Sibongile Gcabashe, Londiwe Makhanya, and Melusi Dlamini for their support.
Mbatha encouraged other colleagues and the wider community to participate in the Comrades Marathon for the benefits of maintaining a healthy body and mind. He also emphasized the importance of preparation for qualifying, mentioning,
“Waking up at 2 a.m. and going for long runs on weekends are part of the qualifying process for Comrades, but being on that road and the feeling afterward make it all worth it,” ends Smangaliso.
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Author: Thembekile Mdletshe from www.myithala.co.za on behalf of Ithala SOC Limited.
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