Past Publications
A collection of previously published (PDF) Newsletters Part One
NB: These are a series of previously published issues from 2020 to 2021 and for Run Alex AC to retain this valuable information it’s inevitable to find a more dynamic approach to continuously share our STORY, even better with a global audience. But essentially for future inspiration, motivation, and reference.
This Newsletter contains eight(8) issues and is a bit longer, however, the good news is that it is now in your inbox to binge whenever convenient.
Regardless of whether you received the PDF docs before, a good read or story always deserves a reread...
Ok, Let’s dive in…
January 2020 Issue
What’s inside:
Welcome Note - 1
Membership - 2
Training Runs and Program - 2
Support - 3
Club Fees - 3
Activations - 3
Participating In Building The Club - 4
Birthdays - 4
Feel free to download the PDF document here: Jan 2020
WELCOME
Chairperson - Siphiwe Nkosi
When we started #RUNALEX on 20th January 2018, none of us thought that two years later we would be penning this sentence “Welcome to Run Alex Athletics Club”. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pride that we welcome you to this club that belongs to each and every one of us.
Through this club, we have a great opportunity to carry on the wonderful work that was started by the #RUNALEX training group. We have seen how total strangers were brought together by a common goal of getting healthy. The growth of the club and the impact it can have on the community of Alex is all dependent on how each of us can get involved, and bring our different set of skills to ensure that we achieve all the goals we have set for ourselves.
February 2020 Issue
What’s inside:
Prostate Cancer Awareness Run - 1
Club Finance - 2
Club Activations - 3
Sponsorship and Partnerships - 3
Comrades Marathon - 4
Birthdays - 4
Feel free to download the PDF document here: Feb 2020
CANCER AWARENESS RUN
Shannon L. Alder once said, “One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.” If we were to find a theme to describe our month of February, many would agree that it was a month of selflessness. Our brave men proved that they will do anything to save other people’s lives. The act of running in speedos was not a demonstration of their well-chiseled bodies but it was an act of encouraging other men to get tested so that we are able to deal with this killer disease early.
The prostate cancer statics are scary amongst black men, it was therefore befitting for us to lead all other townships in this awareness campaign. For Hollard to have chosen to partner with us only confirms that what we are doing as a group has a lot of impact on the community. Let us continue to hold each other’s hands as we work towards the embitterment of Alex.
on the video: Siphiwe Nkosi (Former Chairperson, now Director of Development) #DaredevilRunAlex
Facebook feedback: Run Alex AC DDR
April 2020 Issue
What’s inside:
Spread Kindness, Not the virus - 1
Sub Committees - 2
Resignation - 3
Training - 3
Birthdays - 4
Feel free to download the PDF document here: Apr 2020
Spread Kindness NOT THE VIRUS!
A call was made for those of us who could assist those struggling during this difficult time under lockdown. In a short period of time, a total of R4500 was raised from our members and a relationship we formed through our prostate cancer awareness saw a total of nine hampers being donated, through a combined contribution of SDI Force, Momba Foundation, ADreach Group, and Unity Values.
It is through values like these that #RUNALEX was built and will continue to make us strong. The kindness to think about others who might be in a worse situation than us. We have once again proved that the friendships and relationships we have built do not only end with us holding each other’s hands up the Lombardy hills but extend even during difficult times.
Seven families from our #RUNALEX group have already received the food hampers and will be getting more supplies from your generous contributions. If you would still like to make a contribution, please contact our club Vice-Chairperson, Lebogang Mogotlane on 073 168 4237.
We are faced with a very difficult period, where we are seeking answers to many things after this period and epidemic. Let’s reach out to others, help where we can, and seek help for them where we cannot help. In all the answers they seek, let them seek none about where their next meal will come from.
May 2020 Issue
What’s inside:
Mother's Celebration - 03 | Mama Nokuthula Thomas
Covid- 19 Relief - 05 | Donations and government social relief applications
Technical Corner - 07 | Comrades cancelation
Birthdays - 08 | Hip Hip...Horray!
Feel free to download the PDF document here: May 2020
CELEBRATING MOTHERS
During the month of May where our country is still on lockdown, due to the pandemic that is affecting the entire human race. We are however still blessed that in our home environment we are able to celebrate people who matter the most in our lives, “Mothers”. A day dedicated to honoring the maternal goddesses, a day to pay homage to and thank all mothers for their love, caring, and support.
As Africans not only do we thank our mothers, but also our grandmothers and other mother figures in our lives, IZIMBOKODO. In this month’s edition, the Spotlight is on one of our many beautiful Run Alex AC mothers, Nokuthula Thomas (now Secretary-General), a mother, a runner, and a golfer.
Run Alex took time to find out a little more about her and what it means to her to be a
mother...
Interview Transcript
Run Alex: As a mother, what does it mean to be a mother?
Nokuthula Thomas: The meaning of being a mother is virtually endless. A mother is a selfless, loving human who sacrifices many of her needs and wants for the wants and the needs of her children. Motherhood means family, happiness, love, and contentment. Being a mother is being lucky and the best gift from God. It brings the best and the worst in you. Some days are hard some days are easy but the joy of raising small humans is so powerful. “I just love and feel blessed to be called Mom”.
RA: How old are your kids?
NT: I am a mother of two teenagers, a 19-year-old son (Njabulo) and a 16-year-old daughter (Nandi, Khetho). They keep me on my toes, I am glad to be growing up with them. I am sure if I was not an active mom, I would be having grey hair by now.
RA: What kind of work do you do?
June 2020 Issue
What’s inside:
Celebrating Our Youth - 03 | Maphuti Majetja
Being A Father - 04 | Puso Musi - "fatherhood is not only about having kids..."
COVID-19 Support - 05
Upliftment Corner - 05
Technical Corner - 06
Birthdays - 07
Feel free to download the PDF document here: Jun 2020
CELEBRATING OUR YOUTH
Twenty years after the youth of 1976 changed the political landscape, a boy was born in the Village of Ga-Matlala in Limpopo. Being born two years into our democracy meant Maphuti Majetja will not face the same struggles that were faced by Hector Pieterson’s generation, he faces different challenges and had to adopt a different strategy to face them.
Moving to Alex only three years ago at the tender age of 21 opened up Maphuti to a world of many possibilities, he got exposed to the world of drugs and their destruction, something he declares as his greatest fear. “I have seen young lives being destroyed by drugs and alcohol”. This fear has seen him grow his love for running and healthy lifestyle choices.
His running times have shown that he is not in any way an average runner but a special talent, something that has made him dream of the Comrades Marathon Top 10, one day. Although he is still building up his running and is still due for his first Marathon, he boasts impressive running times for a half marathon and 10km races.
BEING A FATHER
June is a month where we celebrate fathers and father figures for the role they play in our society. Puso Musi is one of the fathers who often join our training runs with his 15-year-old daughter in tow. Today he writes for us on what it means to be a father to his daughter and 3-year-old son.
Growing up in Alex a township that is synonymous with poverty, crime and violence always made me subconsciously aware that the most important role I will play is that of a Father. I firmly believe fatherhood is not only about having kids but about being the man you become because of your kids.
It is for this reason I always emphasise respect for self and others and
furthermore emphasise on taking accountability for your actions - Puso Musi
August 2020 Issue
What’s inside:
I Am a Woman Because… - 04
A Man’s View - 05 | by Coach Ronny Ndhlovu
First Black Female comrades marathon gold medalist OR NOT? - 06 | by Thabo Makola
Birthdays - 08
Feel free to download the PDF document here: Aug 2020
Editors Note
The month of August is a month where we celebrate women, they wear many different hats, perform different roles, give life, they build homes. A few of our Run Alex AC ladies will share with us what it means to each of them. Despite all the wonderful roles women play in building our society, instead of walking tall as the heroes they are, they instead live in fear.
Our statistics on Gender-Based Violence are troubling, man can not afford to stand on the sidelines and shake their head with every announcement of another case of violence directed at a woman, It is for this reason that Coach Ronny Ndhlovu (former Head of Technical, now Head of Development) gives us the man’s view.
When man indulges in the choice of adult brews, they toast to the man that the brew is named after, in many cases it is the wives of the brewers who produced that first brewer who produced that first brew before it was named after the man. Many times woman’s achievements are overlooked, It happens at home in the workplace, and in our sports of choice as well.
The history of the first black female to run the Comrades Marathon is very important for many reasons, yet this important history seems to be lost, Thabo Makola (previous EXCO Additional member, now Vice-Chairperson) looks at the story of Mokgadi Relela, the first Back female Comrades runner or not.
Facebook feedback: First Black Female Comrades Marathon Gold Medalist or Not!
New lease of life through Run Alex
on the photo: Hendrika & Mam’Chunkie
We appreciate your time and Happy running.
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