MEC Sithole-Moloi mourns athlete Ndlela's death

The MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation in KwaZulu-Natal, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, has learned with great sadness of the untimely death of the Province's long distance runner Siphiwe Ndlela.

Ndlela died on Friday after a short illness. He was one the Province's elite athletes who are receiving high performance support from the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation's Elite Athlete Development Programme (EADP) based at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

"I am shocked to learn of the untimely demise of this talented and promising athlete produced by our Province. We were still expecting a lot from him in the sporting arena," said MEC Sithole-Moloi.

"We know that he was working very hard to be in good shape for the top races this year. We were looking forward to him chasing the podium finishes in this year's races, especially the Comrades Marathon."

"Ndlela's rise to become a top athlete in the country represented the aspirations of many rural youth. His life story should serve as an inspiration to young people that social conditions should not limit one's potential to achieve great things in life," she said.

"On behalf of the Department of Sport and Recreation and Province of KwaZulu-Natal, I wish to pass our heartfelt condolences to the family, the athletics family, friends and the country. May his soul rest in peace."