The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on 30 November.

After the 2024 Comrades marathon in June 2024 the CMA board and workers came under fire from registered CMA members that the current board was not elected constitutional and had a lot of flaws and allegations of mis management. The 6 members who were then nominated by the members and was called the working group to get things sorted was namely Mark Leathers ,Barry Holland ,Cheryll Win ,Nick Bester ,Norrie Wiliamson and Brenda Marolen.

The Comrades Marathon Members working group of 6 that worked behind the scenes the last 3 months, and they promise that there will be a watershed in the renaissance of the event that has been mired in controversies resulting from a string of illogical and inexplicable decisions in recent years and is still reeling from well-founded allegations of corruption, maladministration and ineptitude amongst certain staff and Board members.

Now we need your vote to help us steering the ship in a positive and a set direction on 30 November 2024. See the nominees short cv`s below of the people we know will be able to do the job with their heart and soul and to the best of all Comrades runners whether you are a retired runner or an aspirant newcomer to the race. We would encourage all voting CMA members to read thoroughly through the candidates Cv`s below before making your choices.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Seven of the nine elected Board positions are up for election. Both Board incumbents who were standing for re-election have been withdrawn from the ballot: Sweetname Nkibande because he was not eligible as he is not a member in good standing and Celi Makhoba for reasons unknown. Therefore, it will be a CMA Board with a very different composition for the 2025 event.

There are 14 names remaining on the ballot from the original list of 21 that was announced. Each voting CMA member gets seven votes and the seven nominees with the highest number of votes will serve on the CMA Board (the five highest will be elected for a two-year term and the remaining two for a one-year term). The CMA Board votes for the Chair and Vice Chair positions.

The seven Board members will join Nontuthuko Mashimane (an iridiologist, 8 times Comrades finisher and Hollywood Athletics Club KZN committee member) and Isaac Ngwenya (a retired engineer with 21 Comrades finishes). Ngwenya has been at the centre of several controversies and allegations. Whether he remains on the Board will depend on the findings of the independent investigations into allegations of misconduct that the interim Board is due to report back on.

The election of seven Board members is the penultimate item on what is a long agenda so voting CMA Members are warned to be ready for a long day.

Comrades Collective Manifesto
14 November 2024

Who we are:
The Comrades Collective is a diverse alliance of skilled, qualified, and experienced individuals united by a shared goal: to steer the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) towards a positive new era of professionalism, strategic and transparent governance.

This group comprises people at the top of their fields, including a multiple gold medallist, a former chairperson, a respected attorney, entrepreneurs, business leaders, passionate Comrades runners and dedicated volunteers. Together, they bring a unique balance of CMA institutional knowledge, culture, and stability, combined with fresh perspectives, energy, and innovative ideas.

We welcome other people who share our ideals and who want to contribute to building the Comrades to join us. Through inclusive, ethical servant leadership, we can better work together.

Skills and expertise
The collective offers a wide range of expertise, including:
•    Strategy
•    Legal
•    Finance
•    IT, digital and cyber
•    HR
•    Marketing and communications
•    Public administration
•    Project and risk management
•    Corporate governance
•    Safety and security
•    Engineering
•    Athletics and sporting industry credentials

All board candidates have submitted information for detailed integrity and background checks. Comprehensive CVs and references from respected individuals and institutions are available.

Over the years, the Comrades Marathon has become more than just a race. It impacts the lives of participants, supporters, officials, and partners. For many in South Africa and around the world, it has become a way of life.

The 2024 CMA AGM presents a profound opportunity for CMA members to influence the future direction of the “Ultimate Human Race”. The Comrades Collective aims to form a Board of Directors capable of laying the foundation for the next 100 years, elevating the event to truly international status while embodying the best of African excellence.

We believe that success and sustainability hinge on having the right people in the right positions. This will restore confidence and strengthen relationships with sponsors, as well as with public and private sector stakeholders.

Our goals:

•    Help to shift the CMA Board’s focus from operational matters to ethical, effective leadership, providing oversight and support to the operational team. We aim to ensure the right people with the right skills are in place and held accountable.
•    Provide strategic direction, including planning and marketing for the 100th Comrades in 2027 and beyond.
•    Support and grow sponsorships while developing new income streams.
•    Ensure long-term sustainability.
•    Drive technological innovation.
•    Strengthen legal, fiduciary, governance, and risk management frameworks.
•    Promote corporate citizenship and social responsibility.
•    Reaffirm the CMA’s commitment to its core values: accountability, altruism, dignity, respect, integrity, transparency, and unity in diversity. These values should guide all actions and decisions.

Additionally, we aim to renew the culture of putting Runners First, focusing on the specific needs of athletes from all demographics and categories – male, female, elite, recreational, novice, Green Number, foreign and local, including those with disabilities.

List of board candidates & brief descriptions of skills and areas of expertise.  

Les Burnard is a Chartered Accountant, Former CMA Vice Chair and Chair of the CMA Finance Committee, who very ably steered CMA’s finances through the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic back to its present stage of healthy surplus.  He is a Collegians Harriers Life Member, former Chair and Race Organiser, whose areas of expertise are Financial Management, HR, Strategic Planning, Risk & Safety Management. 2 Comrades Medals.

Grahame Gertsch is a retired legal practitioner, prosecutor, advocate, professor, and Dean of Law Faculty at Vista University, now restauranteur and entrepreneur, as well as Chairman and race director of Phobians Athletic Club for the past 8 years. His areas of expertise are commercial, criminal and sports management law, strategic planning, event management, marketing, and community engagement. 4 Comrades Medals.

Alan Gray is a retired electrical engineer, who was KZN Regional Manager for MTN, Senior Advisor to Smart Communications in the Philippines and Group Director of Celtel International responsible for 12 African countries.  Having vast experience in telecoms in Africa, Asia, Southern Africa, his areas of expertise are Telecommunications, Business Management, HR, Industrial Relations, Accounting, Race Organisation. Green Number 7010. 12 Comrades Medals.

Mark Leathers is a highly respected, articulate, innovative, and energetic Attorney, who has represented several large corporate entities on two continents. With twenty years of experience his areas of expertise are in Corporate Governance, Commercial and Contractual Law, Dispute Resolution, Business and Credit Security. 1 Comrades Marathon Medal.

Brenda Marolen is a businesswoman with 34 years of experience in Human Resources, Performance Management, Business Operations, Corporate Social Investment, Project Management, Finance, and Athletics Administration as a club founder, secretary, and chairperson. She previously held positions at Usizo Constancy, SA Express Airways and Thebe Investments. Her passion for athletes is immeasurable.

Willie Mtolo is a multiple Gold Medallist, who finished 2nd on two occasions 13 years apart, former SA Marathon Champion and Winner of the New York Marathon.  In a career spanning three decades has been a professional athlete, entrepreneur, farmer, coach, administrator, and founder of the Willie Mtolo Training Academy, who is uniquely qualified to bring to the CMA Board first-hand experience, insights and advocacy of the particular motivations and needs of elite, as well as underprivileged and rural athletes. Green Number 1119. 8 Comrades Marathon Medals. Wilie also was one of the 5 members who originally formed the Harmony Athletic Club with Nick Bester in 2000 and is now the well-known Nedbank Running Club with close to 4000 members nationally.

Mqondisi Ngcobo is the immediate past CMA Chairperson, highly respected Leader, Administrator, and experienced Race Organiser. He currently holds the position of Senior Manager in the KZN Legislature, a position he has held for 19 years, and was a former Deputy Director at Statistics South Africa. He has an outstanding reputation and excellent relationships in both public and private sectors. 6 Comrades Marathon Medals.

Carel Nolte is the Chief Marketing Officer of Easy Equities, and the Founder and CEO of CN&CO Brand Consultancy. He was twice Comrades Marathon’s top charity fundraiser, was the co-founder and sponsor of Born2Run AC and has served on numerous business and charity organisations in various roles.  His areas of expertise are HR, BEE, Conflict Resolution,  Public Relations, Financial Services, Fund-Raising, and Communication. 3 Comrades Marathon Medals.

Rory Steyn was the Team leader of President Mandela’s personal protection team and was the co-founder and owner of NSA Global Security Consultants.  He has served on the Security Directorate and/or LOC of at least five World Cricket Cups, and provided security services at six Olympic Games, and to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  He is regarded as the world’s foremost cricket security expert and has served on the organising bodies of over 20 major global sports events over 5 years.  Green Number 42743. 12 Comrades Marathon Medals.

Dear CMA Member,

Please receive the Final Agenda and Nomination List for the Comrades Marathon Association Annual General Meeting scheduled for Saturday, 30th November 2024.

• Final Notice and Agenda: Click to download
• Candidate Nomination List 2024: Click to download

The AGM is to be held as follows:

• Venue: Carter High School, Multipurpose Center
• Address: 22 Carter Drive, Athlone, Pietermaritzburg
• Date: Saturday, 30th November 2024
• Time: 09H00 for 10H00 

Online voting and attendance will take place at the 2024 CMA AGM on Saturday 30 November 2024, and CMA Members in good standing can also opt to participate, attend, and vote at the AGM in-person.

• Terms of use for electronic participation at the Annual General Meeting

Please note that if your membership payment was paid after 30 June 2024, you will not be eligible to vote at the 2024 AGM.

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact our office on membership@comrades.com or 033 897 8650

Kind Regards,

Comrades Marathon Association

Margie Saunders was on Saturday 16 November awarded the Eastern Province Athletics Overall female athlete of the year for 2024

Record Prize Purse for #Comrades2025

More Than A Race – Isiko Mpilo

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is excited to announce a significant increase in the prize purse for the 2025 Comrades Marathon. This enhancement underscores the CMA’s commitment to recognizing the extraordinary efforts and achievements of its participants.

The total prize purse for the 2025 Comrades Marathon has been increased to just over R7,6-million, reflecting a substantial boost from previous years. This increase will benefit top finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories, as well as age group winners and other special categories.

“We are thrilled to offer a larger prize purse for the 98th Comrades Marathon,” said CMA Chairperson Jeff Minnaar. “This increase is a testament to our dedication to supporting and rewarding the incredible athletes who take on this challenging race. We look forward to seeing the heightened competition and outstanding performances that this will inspire.”

At the recent race launch, Acting Race & Operations Manager, Alain Dalais confirmed that prize money for the 2025 Comrades Marathon has been increased by 10% across the board, meaning that the winner in both the Men’s and Women’s races will take home a cool R874,000 which includes a ‘top up’, thanks to major sponsor Cell C.

Cell C will also be sponsoring a cash prize of R500,000 for the Best Pace in both the Men’s and Women’s races as well as a R50,000 Hotspot prize.

Down Run Best Pace:
Men: 2016 – David Gatebe – 03:34:08 min/km
Women: 2023 – Gerda Steyn – 03:55:98 min/km

The prize purse also includes a cash payment of R550,000 should the winners break the Best Time previously recorded for the Down Run in both the Men’s and Women’s races.

Down Run Best Times:
Men: 2023 – Tete Dijana – 05:13:58
Women: 2023 – Gerda Steyn – 05:44:54

In conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the race will incentivise the First, Second and Third KwaZulu-Natal Men and Women home with a cash prize.

There will also be prizes for the First South African Man and Woman.

The total prize purse is as follows:

The 98^th Comrades Marathon will be a Down Run on Sunday, 8 June 2025, starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 05h30 and finishing 12 hours later at Durban’s People’s Park, with a race distance of approximately 89km. This will be the 49^th Comrades Down Run

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