Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
Seasoned long-distance runner Tatenda Hove shrugged off challenges from scores of other athletes to win the 10th Beitbridge Mayor’s Anti-Litter Half marathon held between Lutumba Growth Point and the border town along the highway leading to Masvingo on Saturday.
There was a 21,1km race, 10km race and a 5km power walk. All the contests started along the Masvingo Highway and ended in central Beitbridge.
Hove was in the border town for the second time after coming second in a recent anti-drug and substance abuse half marathon held in honour of Vice President Kembo Mohadi.
In second position was Mthokozisi Mhlanga, with Jonathan Chinyoka in third position.
Annie Chirisa crossed the 21,1km finishing line first in the senior women’s category with Emelda Nyamusvosvo and Tatenda Chichangani in tow.
Veteran Peter Tumbare beat perennial contenders, Millen Matende and Nkosiyazi Sibanda, who came in second and third in that order.
In the ladies’ veteran category, Niclah Gonah was victorious, beating Vimbai Zanama, who gave her a stiff challenge for the better part of the race.
Nicholas Mugomeri, Marko Mambo and Emanuel Toperesu finished in first, second and third positions in the men’s Masters category, while Stella Dokotera and Irene Chipwakanya were victorious in the women’s category.
Beitbridge Municipality fireman, George Maseko outpaced David Maphosa and Shupi Lazarus, who arrived in second and third positions in the men’s Grandmaster’s race.Fortune Jani was crowned winner in the 21,1km Paralympics race.
Beitbridge mayor, Councillor Peter Pirato Mafuta, said: “This is a milestone achievement for us as a local authority.
“We appreciate the support from the community and all stakeholders. We need to continually encourage each other on the need to keep a clean and safe environment.
“The town’s outlook should be in sync with the US$300 million Beitbridge Border modernisation project. In addition, we can achieve more as a municipality if we promote more civic participation in our way of doing business.”
His counterpart from Musina, Councillor Godffery Mawela said: “This is something that we are considering adopting as Musina, we have learnt a lot and exchanged notes on a number of service delivery issues with the Municipality of Beitbridge.
“We share the same challenges and we are struggling with littering in Musina and we are taking a leaf from our counterparts,” he said.
”Beitbridge residents, businesses, and the transient population produce around 1 000 tonnes of solid waste monthly, while the local authority manages to collect only around 700 tonnes.”
