Follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela
2010-02-04
THE local athletics calendar has received an exciting boost with the introduction of the commemorative “27 For Freedom” road race. The Cape Winelands District Municipality in collaboration with the Drakenstein Correctional Services will host this race on Saturday 13 February, starting and ending at the Drakenstein Prison outside Paarl. According to Calvyn Gilfellan, Chief Executive Officer of Cape Town Routes Unlimited, every step of the 27km route represents a collective responsibility to create a better life for all South Africans. As a political detainee at Drakenstein Correctional Services (formerly the Victor Verster Prison) in the 1980s, during the same time period as Nelson Mandela, the race holds special significance for Gilfellan. “This race should serve as a reminder that freedom, democracy, security and development come with sacrifice and can only be truly appreciated if one understands the sacrifices made by struggle heroes like Mandela,” says Gilfellan. According to Jeremy Matheyse, Area Commissioner of Drakenstein Correctional Services, the goal of the race is to invite people from all walks of life to follow the footsteps of Madiba, hence the inclusion of a 27km race – a kilometre for every year he spent in prison. The “27 For Freedom Run” will start at the statue of Mandela at the entrance to the prison, passing the house in which Nelson Mandela lived for the 18-month period of his incarceration. Entries close on Sunday 7 February. Contact Stillwater Sport and Entertainment on 021-883-2413, e-mail info@stillwatersports.com or visit www.stillwatersports.com.
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