Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 62, September 2014 | Page 40

CMA GIVING BACK
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TOYOTA WIN-A-CAR
HANDOVER
The CMA recently handed over the keys of a
brand new Toyota Corolla Quest to Christina
Skhosana from KwaNdebele in Mpumalanga,
winner of the 2014 Toyota Amabeadibeadi
Win-a-Car competition. Christina entered the
Win-a-Car SMS competition on Comrades race
day more than 100 times, and says she was
pleasantly surprised to hear that she was the
winner of the new Corolla Quest, which was
recently launched by Toyota SA. “My biggest
thanks goes to the Comrades Marathon for
a great race and to Toyota for making my
dream come true. It is so unbelievable. This is
my first car and it is very beautiful. My family
is just so excited that we have a brand new
car, and my sons Bongani and Percy cannot
wait to drive it.”
While she has never run the Comrades
Marathon, Christina says she has been
watching ‘The Ultimate Human Race’ for
many years now. “I love watching the ladies
running the Comrades Marathon, because it is
very inspiring for South African women. The
Comrades Marathon is a very difficult race,
and my favourite runners are the twins, Elena
and Olesya Nurgalieva from Russia.”
Toyota Senior Manager of Promotions and
Sponsorship, Delia Jackson says, “As always,
Toyota is incredibly proud to be involved in
not only the Comrades Marathon, but also its
Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive, as community
support has always been a key value for
our company.” Following from that, CMA
Chairman, Macdonald Chitja says, “We are
proud to be associated with Toyota, and the
Win-A-Car initiative is a huge contribution
to the Comrades Marathon’s charity drive
from South Africa’s largest automotive
manufacturer. We are deeply appreciative
to Toyota, and grateful to every person who
entered the Win-A-Car competition. Every
SMS has helped in making the work of our
six Amabeadibeadi charities that much more
achievable.”

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The CMA staff joined forces with other
local do-gooders in the Scottsville
area in July to spend their 67 Minutes
for Mandela in helping to clean up
the streets of Pietermaritzburg. As
CMA Marketing Coordinator, Thami
Vilakazi, puts it, “This is the home of
the Comrades Marathon and we hoped
to honour the Madiba legacy and do
our bit to instil a sense of civic pride by
cleaning up our streets.”
The CMA Staff recently spent some
magical moments at Thandi House
in Pietermaritzburg, playing with the
children and treating them to a yummy
meal and treats. General Manager
Chris Bruwer and Race Director
Rowyn James planted fruit trees while
the Staff entertained the children

and shared some laughs and big hugs.
Charities coordinator, Bronwyn Freeman
says, “It’s amazing what a little love can do
in uplifting the spirits of these young ones.
Many of these adorable children have been
abandoned or terribly abused, and we hope
to add a little cheer to their lives.”

AMABEADIBEADI CHARITY FOCUS
There are six official Comrades Marathon-Amabeadibeadi charities linked to the race
and benefiting from the charitable fundraising done at the ‘Ultimate Human Race.’
Each month we will throw the spotlight on one of these charities, and we hope you
will give them the support they deserve by making a donation when you enter, or
purchasing Amabeadibeadi products at the race expo.

1. Wildlands Conservation Trust
This conservation organisation is doing amazing work in helping preserve our highly
endangered rhinos, with complimentary projects focusing on rhino conservation:
• Project Rhino Tracker – by fitting the latest satellite tracking technologies to
rhino in protected areas, we allow for a more efficient use of field rangers, as
we have better knowledge regarding the rhino’s movements and can deploy field
rangers at strategic locations to counter any vulnerable situations.
• Project Rhino Aerial Support – positioning additional aircraft and helicopters
across northern KZN will have a significant impact on reducing rhino poaching,
especially in the private and communal areas that do not enjoy the same level
of paramilitary support that Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s conservation areas do.
Wildlands aims to raise the funds required to support and maintain these aircraft
in order to allow them to fly a minimum of 40 hours per month, covering the key
properties where rhino populations occur.

ISSUE 62 SEPTEMBER 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za