The founder of the Icon’s Journey Marathon, Nkosi Vulithuba Sangoni, recently hosted a media launch at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha to outline preparations for the upcoming marathon, which takes place during Mandela Month (July).
Sangoni announced that all eyes will be on the Eastern Cape as the Icon’s Journey Foundation, in partnership with Absa Bank, the National Department of Arts and Culture, the Nelson Mandela Museum and the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, presents the 5th edition of the world’s longest liberation marathon — the Icons’ Journey Marathon, a 400km event spanning eight days.
“The Icons’ Journey, a proudly South African initiative, also features shorter distances sanctioned by Athletics Transkei. Participants have a unique opportunity to run through and visit the birthplaces of some of South Africa’s most notable liberation icons,” Sangoni explained.
Historical background
Launched in 2018 under the theme “100km by 100 Runners for Mandela 100 Years,” the event began with 100 social runners from various provinces completing a 100km run celebrating the centenary of Nelson Mandela.
On 15 July 2018, runners embarked on a run from Clarkebury Institution at 04:00 am in the cold winter morning, passing landmarks such as Mqhekezweni Komkhulu (the home that shaped Mandela), Qunu (a national heritage site), and finishing in Mvezo (also a national heritage site).
“The initial run gave birth to our social responsibility programme, Icons 4 Change, which provided 300 pupils with items such as school shoes, running gear and bicycles,” said Sangoni.
Since its inception, the initiative has grown significantly. In 2020, the foundation partnered with Brand South Africa and Sports for Ubuntu, a London-based organisation, to host a virtual Icons’ Journey Marathon in the UK. The funds raised benefited an additional 200 children from rural schools in the O.R. Tambo and Chris Hani District Municipalities. In total, 500 pupils from rural areas, including King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) and Sterkspruit, have benefited from the Back-to-School Drive. Thousands more have received support, including sports kits, sanitary pads, and other school essentials.
Events and goals
The Icons Journey Marathon includes:
• The 5th Edition of the 400km Iconic Challenge: Hosted along the world’s longest liberation route, 13 social runners, known as Icons 4 Change, from five provinces, will take on this gruelling eight-day journey. The route consists of seven 42.2km daily runs, followed by a final 103km stretch. It follows a trail declared by the National Heritage Council as part of the Eastern Cape’s Resistance & Liberation Heritage Route.
• Goals: The event aims to raise funds to support rural and township schools with basic necessities, including school shoes, uniforms, sanitary pads and sports equipment.
Sangoni stated that over 12,000 school children have benefited from their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives since 2018.
“The 2025 race is dedicated to raising funds for school supplies and creating awareness about social ills such as gender-based violence and diseases like cancer,” said Sangoni.
The 400km run begins at the University of Fort Hare in Alice and passes through Fort Beaufort, Whittlesea, Komani, Cofimvaba, Ngcobo, Clarkbury, Baziya, Mqhekezweni, Qunu, Qokolweni, before concluding at the Nelson Mandela Museum, Bhunga Building in Mthatha.
Participating athletes
Xolelwa Vuke – Eastern Cape
Essau Ngwenya – Mpumalanga
Moresson Moloto – Limpopo
Nkosinathi Ntini – Mpumalanga
Masixole Mzukwa – Northern Cape
Keith Reynolds – Gauteng (cancer survivor, 2023)
Derick Nhamuche – Mpumalanga
Keith Blanket – Eastern Cape
Nancy Muthanti – Gauteng
Soul Siwele – Mpumalanga
Jeffery Sibiya – Limpopo
Nomi Mlethelwa – Eastern Cape
Fundraising
This year’s runners aim to raise R500,000 to benefit 35,000 schoolchildren nationwide through the crowdfunding platform: www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/400kmiconchallenge.
Schools and sporting initiatives
The 2025 programme began in April with the second annual Easter Schools Sporting Event at Milton Mbekela High in Qunu. Over two days, seven schools competed in netball, football and softball:
• Nyanga High (Ngcobo)
• Clarkebury Agricultural High (Clarkebury)
• Qokolweni Senior Secondary (Qokolweni)
• Maxwele Senior Secondary (Zimbane)
• Xolilizwe Sangoni Senior Secondary (Qokolweni)
• Ngangelizwe Senior Secondary (Ngangelizwe)
• Umtata High (Mthatha CBD)
• Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology (Mvezo)
A total of 300 pupils participated in this vibrant event.
Entry Fees:
Running: 35km (R360), 14km (R250)
Virtual: 103km in one day (R1000), 103km over 8 days (R300), 103km cycling (R300)
Entries are open at www.theiconsjourneymarathon.com until midnight, July 10, 2025.
Defending champion Anele Dlamini (43) from Ngwevana, Mqanduli, is eyeing his third consecutive win in the 35km event.
“I placed second in 2019 and 2022. I won in 2023 and 2024. I promise my supporters I’ll do my best. I’ve prepared well and I’m ready for 2025,” said Dlamini.
Similarly, Lusanda Bomvana from Mandlaneni, Mthatha, last year’s winner, expressed her readiness to defend her title.
“I am ready. I’m confident I will win again, just as I did last year,” she said.
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