Residents of Signal Village in Mahikeng North West are celebrating after their community member Tete Dijana put on yet another amazing performance to win the Comrades Marathon championship yesterday.
The 35-year-old Dijana crossed the line in 5 hours -13 minutes 58 seconds, breaking the record set by David Gatebe in 2016 at 5 hours, 18 minutes, and 19 seconds.
Jubilant residents rushed to Dijana’s home in Signal Hill village shortly after he crossed the line in the 90-kilometer race in Durban on Sunday.
The champion’s uncle Seabelo Taole said the family and community were elated following the record-breaking victory.
“Everyone came to his home to rejoice with the family since he had gained international recognition,” Taole said, adding that he waited for Dijana, who is the first in the family, at the finishing line.
“I became his father after his biological father passed away. He told me before the race that he is going to break the record. I told him that if there is a chance that he can win it again, I told him to go for it,” he said.
Teammate Edward Mothibi, who finished second in yesterday’s race in 5:17:34 and won the race in 2021, expressed his happiness for both of them.
“The feeling or my side of the race’s outcome is emotional to me because of how we started training, going to the camp and everything. For me and Tete to achieve this makes me proud. It is one of the races I will never forget,” he said.
The provincial government is also expected to give him an official welcome reception. North West Premier, Bushy Maape described Tete Dijana as a paragon of long-distance road running.
“We congratulate Tete Dijana for putting the North West province on the map once more by winning the Comrades Marathon and breaking the down-run record. The province is super proud of his remarkable talent and achievements” remarked Premier Maape.
Maape has also congratulated Adele Broodryk for finishing second in the women’s race. The mother of two who is also a lecturer at the North West University, Potchefstroom Campus was competing for the second time in the Comrades Marathon. Last year she obtained the third position.
Maape also extends his congratulatory message to Mothibi who hails from Mahikeng at Magogoe village.
Other top contenders from North West Province included Joseph Manyedi, Gordon Lesetedi, Onalenna Khonkhobe, Johannes Makgetla as well as the 2015 Comrades Marathon Champion Gift Kelehe.
Maape’s sentiments were echoed by North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi.
“Our athletes have made us proud once again and we remain unshaken in our position as history was made and this calls for a stern celebration and welcome,” she said.
