Members of the Bloemfontein-based Centre City Titaniums Athletics Club each personified camaraderie when they decided to host a memorial marathon in memory of Moeketsi Selemela, a slain member, in Bloemfontein on Saturday (15/07). This will coincide with his murder on 17 July last year.
The marathon makes provision for three categories that span distances of 10 km, 18 km, and 29 km. The event will conclude with participants paying a visit to his grave at about 10:30.
The memorial marathon aims to keep Selemela’s spirit within the runners club alive, with its inception stemming from last year’s Comrades Marathon. At the race, the club members bagged 34 medals, ranging from silver and bronze. This year the club improved its tally of medals to 39.
Selemela’s sibling, Thabang, completed the gruelling race wearing his slain brother’s race number. He also carried a giant poster bearing the smiling face of Selemela, affectionately named Kakapa, which loosely translated means “the strong one”.
Courage saw Thabang and teammate Thami Binda through to the finishing line. They made a grand entrance in the Moses Mabhida Stadium, holding the poster aloft. The pair completed the race side-by-side.
Last year, Selemela had registered as the club’s 37th member to take part in the 95th edition of this ultramarathon, dubbed the Ultimate Human Race. It would have been his fifth Comrades appearance.
As tribute, the club created specially designed jerseys with Moeketsi’s signature.
This was also a historic event for the club and its members, in that it was the first time the club entered the Comrades race, securing 34 medals as a fitting tribute.
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Allegedly kidnapped at his house in Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein, Selemela’s body was later found in the back seat of his car on the N1, outside the city on 17 July.
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Allegedly kidnapped at his house in Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein, Selemela’s body was later found in the back seat of his car on the N1, outside the city on 17 July.
