MAYOR MPE HAILS PETER MOKABA’S LEGACY AS HE LAUNCHES 2026 POLOKWANE CITY MARATHON TO INSPIRE ACTIVE NATION
- The Azanian
- 19 hours ago
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Executive Mayor links late icon’s karate skills and gumboot spirit to city’s rise as SADC sporting hub; R200 000 Comrades qualifier set for 02 May
By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief
The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.
AZANIAFROCOMEDIA – The Catalyst of Impact
Polokwane — Executive Mayor Cllr Makoro John Mpe invoked the legacy of late political icon Peter Mokaba today, launching the 2026 Polokwane City Marathon as a living tribute to Mokaba’s belief in an active body and an active mind.
“Today Peter Mokaba has been honoured by the people who named the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, and the ANC Peter Mokaba Region with his name,” Mpe told media at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. “He was a man of many talents — known for his superb karate skills and gumboot dance — who inspired society to be active mentally and physically. That spirit runs through this marathon.”
Framing the 02 May 2026 ultra-marathon as policy in motion, Mpe said sport remains a strategic instrument for social cohesion, economic stimulation, and healthy living in a “vibrant, youthful and forward-looking” Polokwane. “Sport has the power to change the world,” he said, echoing Nelson Mandela. “It has the power to unite, to inspire and to build bridges where once there were divides.”
Under Mpe’s leadership, the event has grown from the former Polokwane Mayoral Marathon into the Polokwane City Marathon — a name that belongs to all who call this city home. The rebrand, he said, reflects “our quest to build a more inclusive and collective identity.”
The race now serves as an official Comrades Marathon qualifier with two opportunities: 42.2km in 5 hours and 50km in 6h10. “This dual opportunity firmly places Polokwane on the map as a serious contributor to the national road running calendar,” Mpe said.
Quoting Emil Zátopek — “If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon” — Mpe said the event offers “a journey of personal triumph.” Since 2012, entries have grown from 750 to a capped 4,000 for 2026 to ensure “quality, safety and an optimal runner experience.”
Mpe deliberately linked the 50km course to Polokwane’s development agenda. Runners will pass the new Central Hospital, Netcare Akeso, Mall of the North, Goseame Open Market, and economic nodes like Greenery Shopping Centre and the Green Ark precinct.
“Visitors to Polokwane will experience a city investing boldly in its future,” he said, citing the University of Limpopo medical school, Seshego Stadium upgrades, and new sports complexes in Ext 78/44 and Mankweng.
The Mayor thanked sponsors including Telkom Business, Coca-Cola, BMW Polokwane, Park Inn, Energy FM, Food Lover’s Market, Goseame Fresh Produce, Polar Ice Cream, and the Chinese Community Policing Forum.
He singled out MKG Trading as Makgolokwe Projects for donating 32 pairs of tekkies to clubs and, a day earlier, a solar system and food parcels to the Nkoana family in Marobe. “We are grateful,” Mpe said.
With 18 water stations and a new Best Water Point Award, Mpe praised municipal teams for professional planning. He urged residents to respect road closures on race day: “A successful marathon is not only defined by those who cross the finish line, but by the collective discipline of the entire community.”
Closing with Jesse Owens — “We all have dreams. But… it takes determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort” — Mpe declared: “To every runner — your journey begins now. To the people of Polokwane — this is your race, your city, your moment. Let us lace up, show up and rise together.”
The 2026 Polokwane City Marathon starts at 05h30 on Saturday, 02 May 2026, at New Peter Mokaba Stadium and finishes at Polokwane Rugby Field. R200 000 in prize money is on offer, with R15 000 for 50km open winners. Registration is open at www.peaktiming.co.za, capped at 4,000. No race-day entries.
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