Soweto Marathon Trust and CGA to meet with Gauteng government for an SOS meeting

Recently, CGA and Athletics South Africa (ASA) suspended three SMT members, namely, Sello Khunou, Pamela Tainton, and Ishe Sadike, due to their objections regarding the television rights broadcasting deal.

Their disagreement led to the cancellation of the marathon, although ASA reversed the decision just last week.

With the SMT currently facing financial difficulties, they are eagerly looking forward to engaging in crucial talks with the Gauteng government in the forthcoming week.

The internal disputes are posing a grave threat to the future of this beloved marathon. CGA’s general manager, Mandla Radebe, expressed to SABC Sport that the government represents their last ray of hope in rescuing the marathon from sinking further.

"Remember when we set up the structure, you need to tick boxes and there are boxes and I think provincial government, local government, it's part of those boxes, that we have ticked," he said.

"In fact, without announcing to you, in the next few days, we will be meeting, having those engagements with both the local and the provincial government. Between ourselves as Central Gauteng Athletics and SMT we had already started those engagements with the premier's office last year, just before the 2022 edition. I think they are well aware of the event as I say in a few days we'll be going to them just to conclude what we are planning for 2023."

According to Radebe, the recently elected working committee is working hard to mend the damage caused by the internal conflicts that cast a negative shadow over the marathon.

He hinted at the possibility of announcing this year’s race date in the upcoming weeks as the committee works tirelessly to restore the event’s reputation and ensure its continuation.

"Currently, I think the team is working, which is very important that we need to work towards organising a very successful Soweto Marathon 2023.  So, the team as we have reported there's a working committee which is busy doing the spade work. In the next few days I think they will be giving us a report and we'll be coming to all the stakeholders to give an update in terms of where we are," he added.

We are actually talking about launching the event and we'll also be coming to you [SABC Sport/media] with those details to say on this particular day we are going to be launching and we'll ask you to come through and be part of us when we launch."