LIMPOPO Premier Stan Mathabatha visited the oldest 2023 Comrades Marathon runner, madala Johannes Mosehla (81).
Mathabatha was at madala's home in Ga-Mogashoa Village outside Burgersfort on Thursday, 22 June.
The aim of the visit was to congratulate and thank the madala for making the province and country proud, as well as putting Limpopo on the map.
This after he finished the marathon at 9:26:10, breaking the 34-year record set by Wally Hayward as the oldest person to complete at 10:58:03 in 1989. Wally was 80 years old at the time.
ALSO READ | Witness accuses ex-minister of forging his signature!Opens in new window
Scores of villagers and government officials gathered at the madala's home during the premier's visit.
Mathabatha said: "As the provincial government, we are happy and proud of madala Mosehla's deeds as he has put the province on the map. We are not here to award him, but to know who this Johannes Mosehla is who did such an excellent work. He started the race and came across obstacles on the way but managed to fight until the finish line. This is a great milestone considering his age."
The premier said the provincial government will organise a special day where madala Mosehla will be awarded and celebrated properly.
Madala's journey started in 1963. He had some challenges, but he'd get up and continue with his journey whenever he fell as it was his dream to break the record of the oldest Comrades Marathon runner.
His wish for the following marathon is to break his own record, adding that it was not that easy completing the 2023 marathon, but it was all worth it.
"I had lots of training before the marathon. I would train three times a week and would do 32km," he said.
Madala told Daily Sun that it's a huge achievement to break Wally's record.
"Now my name will go down in the history books. This is the 10th Comrades Marathon I have run. I ran with people younger than me and most of them quit along the way but I kept on going. I'm not a quitter," he said.
Madala said he's still fit and strong because he trains and eats healthy food such as traditional morogo.
Villager Kgomotso Mphela (40) said they're proud of madala Mosehla.
