Virtual KZN Youth Run To Highlight Gender-Based Violence

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KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Hlengiwe Mavimbela, has tabled the 2020/21 budget vote totaling R481 217 million for the Department of Sport and Recreation amid the adverse effect of Covid-19 pandemic on the sector. The budget was delivered during the virtual sitting of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Friday, 06 June 2020.

MEC Mavimbela said the budget presentation takes place at a time when the sport and recreation sector is devastated by the cancellation of sport events, which has affected the livelihoods of practitioners within the sector.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Athletics and the Comrades Marathon Association will host the inaugural virtual KZN Youth Run during the Mandela Day weekend on 18-19 July 2020.

The event will be used to highlight the scourge of Gender-Based Violence with a special focus on young males to take a stand and protect women and children against all forms of abuse. The race is also part of the Department’s Mass Participation Programme, which aims to encourage mass participation in sport to promote active and healthy lifestyle as well as talent identification.

Under the theme: “Youth to the fore! Run against gender-based violence”, the virtual race will be run over two days to give as many people as possible an opportunity to participate. The race has 2km, 5km and 10km categories.

“People participating in the race will be encouraged to carry placards with messages against gender-based violence. Participants will be encouraged to share their photographs on their personal social media platforms as well as the Department’s and Comrades Marathon platforms,” said Sport and Recreation MEC, Hlengiwe Mavimbela.

KZN Youth Run is an annual event which attracts over 10 000 athletes from across KZN and is held on the eve of the Comrades Marathon. However, due to the onset of COVID19, the subsequent lockdown, and the regulations limiting mass participation gatherings and meetings, the 2020 edition of the KZN Youth Run was cancelled.

“As the Department of Sport and Recreation we have an obligation to encourage the people of the Province to be active especially during this stressful period brought by the Corona virus outbreak. That is why we have partnered with Comrades Marathon Association to bring this virtual race that will allow individuals and families to run, walk or jog within their home environment.

“We will use this race as a platform to highlight the scourge of gender-based violence following the alarming rise in incidents of killing of women at the hands of men. We therefore invite all to register for this race and share your message against gender-based violence and abuse of women and children,” said MEC Mavimbela.

To register visit the Comrades Marathon and KZN Department of Sport and Recreation websites or check for information on our social media platforms. We challenge YOU to run, walk or jog against Gender-Based Violence. Carry your placard, run your race and share your experience with us. Everyone is welcome to participate and registration is free. #Youth2theFore! Run against gender-based violence