'This amendment to our structures is designed to achieve our strategic goals' - CMA give KZNA the boot & appoint new board

Perhaps more interesting than the appointment of a new Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, was the news that members of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) voted in favour of removing KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) from the board of the world’s most beloved ultra marathon. 

Before Saturday’s AGM which took place at Carter High School in Pietermaritzburg, the CMA featured two ex officio members, representing Athletics South Africa (ASA) and KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA). But after an amendment to the CMA Constitution directing the CMA to withdraw as a special member of KZNA and rather seek to affiliate directly to ASA instead was proposed and overwhelmingly passed, everything has changed. CMA’s withdrawal from the KZNA Board also means that the Board position for KZNA on the CMA Board falls away. 

Newly-elected Comrades Marathon Association Chairperson, Mark Leathers, and Vice Chairperson, Nontuthuko Mashimane. Leathers, Mashimane and the newly appointed CMA Board will serve The Ultimate Human Race for the next twelve months. Photo Credit: CMA Media.

"We would like to thank all from KZNA who have served and continue to support the CMA. This amendment to our structures is designed to achieve our strategic goals of international growth, professionalism, cost containment and a runner-focused approach, while better aligning our national event with the national federation," explained newly appointed CMA Chairperson Mark Leathers after the AGM on 29 November.

The decision which could have far reaching legal, administrative and economic implications for the entire South African road running system where races are sanctioned by their respective provincial federations and don’t affiliate with the national body directly, has set tongues wagging. While it has been long held by some that large races of national interest and historical significance such as the Comrades Marathon, The Two Oceans Marathon, the Cape Town Marathon and the Soweto Marathon should be governed by the mother body directly, the potential drawback is that provincial bodies could find themselves cash-strapped and possibly unable to carry out their administrative and developmental mandate without the support of these key events.

The decision taken by the CMA then, which could be at odds with ASA's constitution, is probably punishment for the well-documented confrontations between recently re-elected KZNA President Steve Mkasi and the CMA over the last two years in particular. Yet this strained relationship between the CMA and KZNA is not unique. A number of media reports have consistently detailed the at times frosty relations between the Soweto Marathon and Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) for example, as well as the clashes between Western Province Athletics (WPA) and the Cape Town Marathon. It therefore suggests that it is the rule rather than the exception that big races don't get on well (for a myriad of reasons) with their provincial sanctioning bodies.

The outgoing CMA Board elected in December 2024 pose for a photo with late former CMA Chairperson Cheryl Winn. Long-serving CMA Board Member Isaac Ngwenya (second from right) is out. Photo Credit: Supplied.

With this in mind, it is understood that the CMA led by their new nine-person board of Leathers, Vice Chairperson Nontuthuko Mashimane, outgoing Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo, multiple Comrades gold medalist Willie Mtolo, Brenda Marolen, Carel Nolte, Rory Steyn, Alan Gray, 49x Comrades Medalist Barry Holland and the co-opted Lene Swart have already began their discussions with ASA. The CMA insist that Saturday’s watershed decision was taken in the interest of the long-term sustainability of a the world’s oldest ultra Marathon, that will celebrate its 100th running in 2027.

"This appointment is not just a personal milestone, but a reaffirmation of the trust, support and confidence that my colleagues and the broader Comrades family has placed in me," says Mashimane. "I step into the role of Vice Chairperson fully committed to strengthening our organisation, deepening our community impact, and helping lead the Comrades Marathon into a future defined by growth, excellence and inclusivity, especially as we approach our historic centenary."