The 30th edition of The People’s Race is well and truly on track, powering forward with thanks to the thousands of eager runners entered to date. With the unwavering support of headline partners African Bank, as well as the City of Joburg, Athletics South Africa and Central Gauteng Athletics; the planning processes and procedures are well on track for an exceptional race day come 29 November 2025.
In March this year, the Soweto Athletics Clubs passed a resolution that the proposed vehicle to administer the organisation of the 2025 Soweto Marathon race event would be a Non-Profit Company (NPC). This NPC was elected by a majority vote, with nine (9) out of eleven (11) Soweto Athletics Clubs in attendance at an official meeting held earlier this year.
Due to conduct of certain individuals, specifically, Thulani Sibisi, Stan Itshegetseng and Ishe Sadiki, in April 2025 the Soweto Marthon (Pty) Ltd initiated a Court process against these individuals. It is therefore not true that either the (Pty) Ltd nor the NPC took the Soweto Marathon Trust to Court. The Soweto Marathon (Pty) Ltd and the Athletics Clubs of Soweto initiated a Court proceed where they sought certain interdictory reliefs against these individuals. The relief sought, amongst others, were as follows:
- Directing that the respondents stop abusing the Soweto Marathon for nefarious gains and bringing the name of the Soweto Marathon into disrepute;
- Directing that the respondents stop calling and convening meetings in the name of the Soweto Athletics Club and the name Soweto Marathon;
- Directing that the respondents stop spreading false allegations against the Soweto Marathon (Pty) Ltd and its director, Thokozani Mazibuko; and
- Directing that the respondents stop contacting stakeholders and presenting false and misleading information.
It is unfortunate that the matter was decided on a technical basis and same has left room for the individuals to continue with their propaganda campaign and spreading lies. The Court concluded that due to the fact of the abovementioned resolution taken in March, it could only be the NPC representing the clubs before it and not the Soweto Marathon (Pty) Ltd. wherefore, the Court made no ruling on the merits of the matter. We therefore wish to reiterate that there was never a Court process between the Soweto Marathon NPC or Soweto Marathon (Pty) Ltd against the Soweto Marathon Trust. Further, the Court case was not to determine who should organise the race.
The race organising team, race office and all partners and sponsors remain unchanged and committed as per the hugely successful 2024 Soweto Marathon – the country’s biggest one day road race. With this in mind, the Soweto Marathon NPC would like to remind the valued running community of its objectives of ensuring good and proper governance and sound financial accountability.
Lastly, On 6 October 2025, the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) addressed a letter to the NPC recording that it is aware of the developments around the Soweto Marathon race and that things need to be sorted out. The letter records, amongst others, the following:
“It is unfortunate that those who are currently serving suspension by the country’s governing bodies, are being given any airtime whatsoever. Working together is what is needed here, and I remind every single person taking the time to read this that: The Athletics Clubs of Soweto own this race – and they will focus on the race organizing committee to run this race by the people, for the people.”
CGA concludes by wishing the NPC well in its organizing the 2025 Soweto Marathon race.
