Running for the girl child

Modimolle’s wellknown long distance runner, Lucas Seleka, has confirmed he would embark on a 44km one-man marathon, in a bid to drum up support for the girl child in terms of sanitary towels.

Seleka, who is known for his annual participation in the popular Comrades Marathon and Sowero Marathon, said he had earmarked 24 December as the day he would solely run from Modimolle to the Mpumalanga village of Katjibane, outside Settlers.

The one-man run was aimed at raising awareness with regards to the fate of schoolgirls who could not afford sanitary towels.

Seleka told The BEAT he planned to depart from Modimolle at 5:00 in the morning.

The rural settlement of Katjibane is the birthplace of this remarkable athlete.

“I will be running from Modimolle to Katjibane on 24 December. After collecting the sanitary towels, they will be donated to primary schools in the area,” he said.

Seleka said he would not be accepting cash, but only packs or boxes of sanitary towels.

The athlete has called on all residents of Katjibane to bring their vuvuzelas and wait for him at Blue Birds FC Grounds between 9:30am and 10:00am.

“Everyone who would like to donate can bring along their packs of sanitary pads at the welcome venue. Let us do it for the rural girl child,” he said.

Those who want to contact Seleka can call him or send a WhatsApp message to 073 148 9470.

— The BEAT