The KZN Premier is very pleased with the Comrades Marathon

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has praised the province for successfully hosting the Comrades Marathon yesterday. 

Ntuli and other dignitaries, including National Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie and Provincial Sports Minister Mntomuhle Khawula, were encamped at People’s Park to welcome the winners. 

The race was won by Tete Morena Dijana from Limpopo in the men's category, while Gerda Steyn from Free State took the lead in the women's category.

This year, the 89-kilometre race ran from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. 

“We would like to congratulate Dijana and Steyn for running so hard,” said Ntuli. 

He further said that they congratulated all the athletes who took part in the race, saying that they were not only athletes but also guests in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. 

He said that the province is proud to host a game of this caliber. 

He said that this strengthens the country's relations with various countries. 

“This is a race that has continued to show that we are a province that has the capacity to host an event of this magnitude,” said Ntuli.

He commended the eThekwini Municipality and Pietermaritzburg Municipality for ensuring that everything went smoothly from the start of the race to the finish in Durban.

He said that the municipalities collaborated well to make the race a success.

He added that there is no doubt that the presence of this race in the province has benefited tourism.

He also thanked those who supported the athletes along the route they ran, and thanked the emergency services, as well as the police. 

He said that the support of the athletes ensured that the event was a success.