'Come and see for yourself' - Khanyile backs Itshegeseng and company as fresh threats are issued against staging of The People's Race

Having previously enjoyed the vocal support of Thulani Sibisi, the Soweto Marathon founding member was conspicuous by his absence at Stan Itshegeseng's side when the latter issued his latest salvo of threats against The Soweto Marathon which is scheduled for 29 November.

"If the race goes ahead, the athletes must wait for our pronouncement. If the SMT makes no pronouncement, I bet you with my mother’s figure belt in her grave that this race is not going to happen. The only key to having the race is the SMT, the rightful owners," he said during a press conference at the Booysens Hotel yesterday (October 8).

Jali, Shilember, Sadiki, Makhetha, Itshegeseng and Khanyile pose for a photo during the press conference on October 8. Soweto Marathon founding member Thulani Sibisi was conspicuous by his absence during the media briefing held by a faction of the Soweto Marathon Trust that is hellbent on preventing the staging of the 30th edition of The People's Race. Photo Credit: Lebogang Pita.

Without Sibisi and other key Soweto figures such Diepkloof Athletic Club Deputy Chairperson Matsebe Maila present, the spokesperson of the disaffected faction of the Soweto Marathon Trust was backed by former Central Gauteng Athletics President Steven Khanyile instead. Khanyile who made his first major appearance in support of the Itsegeseng-led faction since he was named as a member of the group in early August.

Khanyile's presence drew interest from the members of the media who wished to delve deeper into the timing of his decision to publicly nail his colours to the mast, which came only after his CGA Board was dissolved by the council on 23 August and not when the war for the soul of the Soweto Marathon started many months ago. 

Refusing to answer any questions, Khanyile left the talking to Itshegeseng who asserted that his group which also includes Prince Jali, Watson Shilembe, Thuli Makhetha and the suspended Ishe Sadiki, scored a major victory over the NPC. Last week (October 3), the Protea Magistrate’s Court ruled that while the NPC which was opened by Soweto Marathon Trust members members on behalf of Soweto clubs when the trust account was frozen to investigate allegations of fraud which led to Sadiki's 2023 suspension has the right to exist as a company, it does not have the authority to host the Soweto Marathon.

From Left: ASA Road Running Chairperson Enock Skosana, africanbank Soweto Marathon Race Director Danny Blumberg, africanbank CMO Sbusiso Khumalo, africanbank Head of Brand Marketing, Zinhle Zulu, CoJ MMC for Community Development Tebeho Nkoukou, Soweto Marathon NPC Spokesperson Jabu Mbuli pictured at the launch of the 2025 Africanbank Soweto Marathon on 17 September. Photo Credit: Jacob Mawela.

"Legal existence is not legal entitlement. The Soweto Marathon remains under the lawful administration of the SMT. To defy a court of law without appeal or application for review is not just arrogance; it borders on judicial contempt and administrative insubordination. No federation, however senior, stands above the law. Anybody who has a problem with that must meet us in court."

Itshegeng and company have challenged the City of Joburg and the headline sponsor African Bank's assertions that the race will take place in a safe and secure environment. When asked how they plan to stop the race if it goes ahead as scheduled on November 29, Itshegetseng declined to reveal their strategy, instead invited the media to witness firsthand how they intend to halt the event.

"The media is trying to box us into pronouncing. The race won't happen. We've invited you to come and see for yourself what’s going to happen. We won’t disclose what we are going to do but come and see. We, the people, will be there as human shields. If you trample me and I get assaulted, be wary that I don’t defend myself. It’s my race."