Congratulations to our incredible Vodacom employees who completed this year’s gruelling Comrades Marathon on 9 June. Your determination, resilience and camaraderie inspire us all. Thank you for embodying the true Vodacom Spirit and showcasing the power of teamwork and perseverance.

For the past two decades, the Vodacom Striders Running Club has been integral to the Vodacom way of life. The club was born out of a passion for staff to connect outside of the office and embark on a journey of health, providing support to each other through races. 

Over the years, Striders has evolved from being an outlet at the end of a hard workday into a formalised club that supports three of Vodacom’s positive Well-being Pillars: 

Building a community of runners

The Vodacom Striders Running Club offers more than just running. It provides employees with opportunities to build relationships, socialise with friends and family through healthy activities, and cultivate a sense of belonging beyond the daily grind. The preparation, training and support that the club generates is akin to an ongoing team-building event, and over the years the runners have formed strong bonds and become lifelong friends. 

Sharedon Dada of the Vodacom Striders Running Club

Sharedon Dada, Business Analyst: Customer Operations at Vodacom SA, joined the club in 2008. She soon became addicted to the adrenaline, excitement and drive that epitomise the Striders. By 2009, Sharedon volunteered as the Club Administrator, and in 2010 she became the Chairperson. 

A natural cheerleader, Sharedon’s enthusiasm for running is infectious. What excites her most about the club is helping the runners prepare for races such as the Comrades, Two Oceans, the Soweto Marathon, 702’s Walk the Talk, as well as smaller provincial races. The variations in terrain and climate, and the long distances, demand an advanced level of commitment and endurance from runners. 

Sharedon’s involvement as a volunteer starts from the very beginning, assisting members with obtaining road licences, arranging pasta get-togethers to carbo-load before a big race day, setting up training camps, and arranging sponsorship, water points, refreshments and gazebos for the all-important rest at the end of a race. 

Did you know that taking part in road races in South Africa requires a licence?

Licences for road running are unique to each South African province and are valid for one year. The licence acts as insurance for runners, offering financial support and protection should runners be injured (potholes are a nightmare for ankles) or in an accident (a sad reality of running next to high-speed vehicles or in areas without adequate lighting). 

Running further together

While Sharedon isn’t a marathon runner herself, she is an avid walker, short road race runner and hiker, having earned several trophies over more than a decade. However, she values the club race T-shirts even more. Each one is unique, representing her achievements, she explains. She works hard to earn the privilege of owning and wearing it and does so with pride. 

This is Sharedon’s last year as Chairperson of the Vodacom Striders Running Club, and her last Comrades Marathon. As she gets ready to hand over the torch to the next generation, we share our thanks and gratitude to her for living the Vodacom Spirit and inspiring so many others to run further together. 

A hearty congratulations to Sharedon and the Striders Club team who supported our runners in this year’s Comrades. 

Our Striders Club Comrades runners

The Comrades Marathon is the world’s oldest and biggest ultramarathon, covering a distance of about 88km. The start and end points alternate each year, from the humid seaside city of Durban to Pietermaritzburg, an inland city with a drier climate, at a higher elevation. The race attracts runners from around the world who compete every year in June to take home a medal and beat their previous best. 

Our admiration and congratulations go to all the Vodacom Striders, who trained, braved the gruelling heat, and did their best to make it to the finish line. To us, every meter you strode was worthy of gold. 

The Comrades conquerors

Comrades medals are awarded based on position and the time it took for runners to complete the race: 

NameTime finishedMedal
Teboho Mohajane07:12:41Silver
Refilwe Moila 07:25:52Silver
Dineo Manamela07:27:33Silver
Simphiwe Cele7:57:32Bill Rowen
Harshik Budhia07:58:16Bill Rowen
Nkosikhona Mtshutshane08:23:42Bill Rowen
Adnaan van Heerden08:46:20Bill Rowen
Delani Njapha08:48:37Bill Rowen
Zeno Gondwe08:51:52Bill Rowen
Marcel Venter08:55:09Bill Rowen
Steve Lekalakala08:58:49Bill Rowen
Hendrik Tsokolibane09:04:39Robert Mtshali
Patrick Simelane09:19:44Robert Mtshali
Hazel Mngomezulu09:22:24Robert Mtshali
Cyprian Mtshali09:28:50Robert Mtshali
Lutando Mvovo10:10:14Bronze
Motsamai Nyareli10:14:39Bronze
Nthabiseng Tinte 10:33:30Bronze
Khulekani Mdlovu 10:36:56Bronze
Gavin Johnson 10:40:05Bronze
Thabiso Nkwe 10:54:14 Bronze
Trevor Nkosi 10:55:13 Bronze
Yusuf Khan 10:55:36 Bronze
Lindelani Makwarela 11:04:43 Vic Clapham
Tando Mkosi11:06:34Vic Clapham
Spurgeon Myles 11:17:25Vic Clapham
Rantsane Monare 11:18:48Vic Clapham
Elisha Mohlanga 11:24:25Vic Clapham
Bryan Julies11:25:36Vic Clapham
Sello Koyo11:30:14 Vic Clapham
Rebecca Mahlatsi 11:34:30Vic Clapham
Reggie Khumalo 11:36:04Vic Clapham
Oupa Madia11:41:08Vic Clapham
Matome Machipi 11:47:35Vic Clapham
Rodney Moloko 11:53:47Vic Clapham
Diau Kabai11:56:50 Vic Clapham
Tembe Shenxane11:58:12Vic Clapham
Ronnie Masemula 12:03:28Vic Clapham