'It showcases the event's commitment to inclusivity' - Maduna honoured with Spirit of Comrades Award

The Gems Spirit of Comrades Awards ceremony was held on Friday, 24 October, at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban, celebrating stories of triumph over adversity that align with the spirit of endurance and resilience of the Comrades Marathon. Siphamandla Maduna, was recognized for his remarkable display of perseverance and determination as one of three recipients of The Spirit of Comrades Award. 

Maduna running the Durban International Marathon where he ran a personal best 3:49 ahead of competing in his first Comrades Marathon. Photo Credit: Durban International Marathon.

The Hollywood Athletics Club runner was born with Cerebral Palsy, a condition that impairs movement and posture due to brain damage typically occurring before birth. His journey to learning how to walk spanned two years, and his left shoulder lacks functionality, relying on his right for balance. Nevertheless, Maduna successfully completed his debut Human Ultimate race on 8 June in 10 hours and 52 minutes. He appreciated the recognition, describing it as a wonderful gesture from the organizers of the world-renowned ultramarathon.

"I am delighted to be honoured by Comrades. It showcases the event's commitment to inclusivity," said 39-year-old Maduna from Ixopo. 

Maduna at the finish line after running 89.98km to complete the 2025 Down Run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"My motivation to participate in the race was inspired by witnessing emotional finishes in the 2024 edition of the race, where I volunteered. This experience further deepened my affection for the race. Vusi Nkabinde, a former Comrades board member, provided additional encouragement for me to pursue running. However, my journey to success has been challenging, with initial struggles in marathon distance attempts until I achieved a time of 3 hours and 49 minutes at the Durban International Marathon, securing better seeding. Although I did not attain my desired results at Comrades, I crossed the finish line successfully."

Nemutanzhela, Maroku and Maduna pose with their Spirit of Comrades Awards. Photo Credit: CMA Media.

In addition to Maduna, two other recipients received The Spirit of Comrades Awards. One of them was Prince Nemutanzhela, who showed extraordinary courage after he was shot during a house robbery in May, but the novice still went on to complete the race. During the tragic event in Thembisa, the Irene Running Club athlete lost his friend, and his wife Asnath sustained serious injury and was hospitalized. His wife nevertheless motivated him to achieve his long-held objective of running the Comrades Marathon for the first time.

"I am thrilled that my Comrades story had such a profound impact on many people, resulting in my being honoured. This accomplishment would not have been achievable without the steadfast support of my wife. Even while she was hospitalized and in pain, she gave me her blessings to run. As I ran, I kept thinking about her. In the end, I was able to fulfil my dream by finishing the race," he said.

All the award winners at the 2025 GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards. Back row (from left) Tiago Dionisio, Deshen Thomas, (Biddulphs), Prince Nemutanzhela, Pogiso Maroku, Sphamandla Maduna, Lauretta Dunn, Steven Maliszewski and Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase; Front row: Luke Pillay (Form-scaff), Bob Norris, Louis Massyn, Mahesh Ratanjee, and Sifiso Ndaba (Run Zone Athletics Club). Photo Credit: CMA Media.

Pogiso Maroku, a SANDF Athletics Club runner, was the last recipient, having shown extraordinary bravery in assisting his teammate to cross the finish line while dealing with a knee injury. Meanwhile, on the occasion of his 75th birthday, the legendary Loius Massyn received special recognition for being the first runner to finish the race 50 times. Bob Norris of the Daily Despatchwas named the Journalist of the year for writing most about the historic race.