Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE annual Two Countries Marathon held on Saturday between Musina and Beitbridge has once again demonstrated the power of sport in fostering regional integration, economic cooperation and people-to-people relations between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The marathon, which is jointly organised by Beitbridge Municipality and Musina Municipality as part of their twinning agreement, was held on a changed route this year.
Unlike previous editions where the race started in Beitbridge and ended in Musina, this year’s edition started in Musina, South Africa, and ended at Dulivhadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge.
Scores of athletes from both sides of the Limpopo River took part in the 10km, 21km and 42km categories, in an event held under the theme “Two Nations, One Race, One Vision.”
South Africa’s Head of Delegation from the Limpopo Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Ms Veronica Mokgonyana, said the marathon was a model of regional integration that should be expanded to other SADC countries.
“Today has been a very successful day when we had this joint race with the people from Limpopo Province and Matabeleland Province,” said Ms Mokgonyana.
“We can do more together, and we can foster social cohesion. We are strengthening regional integration.
“We are having an exchange of programmes, be it trade, social cohesion and people-to-people. This is a good initiative to exchange heritage and maintain what brings us together. We can do more to develop arts, sports and culture for the two nations.
“Most importantly, we are strengthening cohesion among ourselves and the people. We intend to embrace other countries like Mozambique and Botswana going forward. We need to promote regional integration.”
Ms Mokgonyana said plans are underway to incorporate other countries such as Mozambique and Botswana in future editions, in line with the SADC regional integration agenda that seeks to promote free movement of people, goods and services while celebrating shared African heritage.
Matabeleland South, Albert Nguluvhe, said the marathon should not be viewed merely as a sporting event, but as part of the broader Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative (TSDI).
“It is a great pleasure and an honour to be here today as we celebrate another edition of the Two Countries Marathon, which this year started from our sister country, South Africa,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
He said the TSDI is aimed at promoting economic growth in South Africa’s Limpopo Province and Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces where the Limpopo River passes.
“Besides sharing the Limpopo River across our two nations, the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative presents a key trade artery for our Southern African part of the world, the entire continent and indeed the entire world through the exchange and passage of goods across our two nations’ borders as epitomised today by the flow of athletes from South Africa to Zimbabwe,” he said.
Minister Nguluvhe paid tribute to the visionary leadership of the two countries who in 1996 sanctioned the twinning arrangements between Musina-Makhado and Beitbridge Municipalities, noting that the conceptualisation of the TSDI in 1999 provided further impetus for joint development.
He said under the Second Republic led by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose mantra is “Zimbabwe is Open for Business,” citizens from both nations have taken advantage of the initiative to trade, invest and exchange cultures.
The Minister urged communities to continue interacting, trading, visiting and embracing each other.
“This Two Countries Marathon is a special type of event that goes beyond sport but further goes to celebrate friendship, cooperation, our cultures and the relationships between two communities on either side of the Limpopo River,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
“The separation of our two municipalities by an international boundary has never deterred or defined our people’s relations.”
Beitbridge Mayor Councillor Peter Pirato Mafuta and Musina Mayor Councillor Godfrey Mawela emphasised the need to continue collaborating in addressing service delivery and maintaining strong relations along the North-South Corridor, which is a key economic artery for the entire SADC region.
The two municipalities said the marathon will continue to be used as a platform to promote investment, tourism and social cohesion between the two nations.
