'This move is not about the money' - Dijana, Mothibi, Makgetla & Mosiane sign for Hollywood

After the Nedbank Running Club issued a media statement on Tuesday (20 January) revealing that the pair had decided not to renew their contracts, Comrades Marathon winners Tete Dijana and Edward Mothibi have been officially unveiled as the newest members of the Hollywood Athletics Club. This much talked about announcement was made today (Thursday, 22 January) at the plush offices of Hollywoodbets, the club's main sponsor, located in Umhlanga, Durban. 

The biggest transfer news of the 2026 season to date. Photo Credit: Hollywood AC.

Following the announcement, Dijana, a 37-year-old athlete who holds the Comrades down run record of 5:13:58 achieved during his 2023 victory, spoke to the media and disclosed that his decision to join Hollywood, also known as the purple team, was driven by a desire for career advancement rather than chasing financial rewards as suggested by the Green Machine's statement.

"I'm very happy and excited at the same time to join Hollywood Athletics Club as the new home. I won't lie, it was very difficult to leave Nedbank as they have done so many things in my life but at the end of the day I needed to grow as an athlete," said Dijana who hails from Mahikeng in North West.

With Hollywoodbets ambassador Robert Marawa as the Master of Ceremonies, Shandu and club chairperson Greg Glossop reiterated that there is no pressure on Dijana and Mothibi to win Comrades. Photo Credit: Hollywood AC.

"You can't just leave a club without negotiating a new deal. But at the end of the day you make a decision to either stay or leave and that’s part of the game. This move is not about the money but rather see it as part of growing in sport. I always say that I don't chase money. I'm here for growth. Hence I said we need to develop the club - there is no Hollywood development where I stay maybe we are going to establish one," he told the media.

With the recent addition of Dijana and Mothibi, the Hollywood Athletics Club is now a step closer to securing the Comrades Marathon men's title which has thus far eluded the star-studded team. The club's best result in this category was achieved by Nkosikhona Mhlakwana, who clocked 5:43:26 for sixth position in the 2022 edition of The Ultimate Human Race. Dijana says his first priority is to earn a maiden Up Run gold and then he would dearly love to win a fourth Comrades title in his new club colours.

Comrades gold medalist Johannes Makgetla (standing) will also join Dijana and Mothibi at the Purple Team. Photo Credit: MWMedia.

"I don't want to put myself under pressure. I heard the Club President (Morgan Shandu) stating that he doesn't want to put us under pressure which is good as I don't want a person to put me under pressure. But I would love to win the Comrades especially the up run as I haven't obtained a gold medal when going up.”

In addition to Mothibi and Dijana, Hollywood AC has also signed the pair’s training partners. Comrades gold medalist Johannes Makgetla and 2024 TNU 50km winner Reuben Mosimane, all of whom train under coach Dave Adams, have joined the club. Both Dijana and Mothibi will make their first appearance in their new club colours in at the Best of the Best Marathon scheduled for the 1st of March at the Kings Park Athletics Stadium.