Councillors call for Kimberley clean-up ahead of marathon

WITH less than 50 days to go before the Diamond and Dorings Kimberley Big Hole Marathon — where 3,000 athletes are expected to participate — Sol Plaatje Municipality councillors have called for a thorough clean-up of the city.

ANC councillors recommended that all potholes and illegal dumping sites be addressed before athletes arrive on November 22.

They added that they would wake up at 3am on race day to remove any bottles and other litter left around drinking spots the night before.

Speaker Dipuo Peters said it was necessary to inculcate a culture of cleanliness.

“Every time an area is cleaned up, people see it as an opportunity to dump and litter and deliberately make the city dirty. Let us abide by the by-laws before thousands of people flock to the city and see things that we do not see,” she said.

The marathon is touted as the second-biggest road race in the country, with prizes totalling R1.2 million.

The race is set to attract elite runners, including nine-time Comrades Marathon winner Bruce Fordyce, three-time Comrades winner Tete Dijana, and local champion Arthur Jantjies.

Race director and Athletics Griqualand West president Thata Setlholo said 183 entries were received within the first three hours after registration opened on October 1.

“Local runners will no longer have to travel to Cape Town, Bloemfontein or Johannesburg to qualify for the Comrades marathon. It will also inspire local runners and walkers. A total of 3,000 branded T-shirts were printed and will be given to each participant,” said Setlholo.

He said the route would pass iconic tourist sites, including the Honoured Dead Memorial, the Mayibuye Precinct, the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature and the Sol Plaatje University.

“The 42.2 kilometre race will pass through Galeshewe and Barkly Road. In future, we would like to extend the race from Kimberley to Ritchie and Barkly West and the N12, where the taxi industry can also become stakeholders.”

Setlholo added that the event would boost the local economy.

“Guest houses, social night spots and shopping malls will be full. During future races, we envision hosting a jazz, cultural, music and arts festival to further build the Diamonds and Dorings brand.”

He indicated that a number of unemployed youths or EPWP workers could be hired as marshals and water table assistants on the day.

Setlholo added that any proceeds from the race would be invested in the Premier’s bursary fund as well as youth development and athletics.

“We have requested a sports ground to be made available to us so that we can develop it for local athletes,” he said.