Achieving their dreams – girls from Cape Flats set to join Pink Run in Women’s Day celebrations

More than a hundred girls from Endurocad’s ACHIEVE programme will celebrate health, wellness and new life at the Totalsports Women’s Day Challenge in Cape Town on Wednesday (9 August), part of the cast of thousands of grandmothers, aunts, mothers, sisters and daughters who will take to the streets in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town to run or walk 10km or 5km.

The annual women’s day road running event has proved increasingly popular and growing numbers of women will be running, walking and dancing after the race in support of PinkDrive, an organization committed to preventing people succumbing to breast, cervical, prostate and testicular cancer.

Last year’s Totalsports Women’s Day Race – mixing physical activity with a party atmosphere. Photo – Stephen Granger

Both elite runners and casual joggers will be out in numbers in the three cities, but none more passionate than the young achievers from Endurocad, part of PinkDrive’s primary target of citizens who lack access to reasonable care for cancer prevention.

Established in 2013, largely through the vision of leading South African distance athlete, Elana van Zyl, Endurocad is a registered non-profit organisation that focuses on the advancement of athletic performance and education through various projects.

“Endurocad’s Young Women Empowerment Program ‘ACHIEVE’ uses sport and running to develop strong young women from disadvantaged areas, developing change-makers who are self-sufficient, and who in turn will hopefully have a positive impact on their communities,” said Nolene Conrad, Endurocad Athletes Manager and ACHIEVE host.

Julie Warren-Codrington, Mia Lyons and Kirsten Welham are the ACHIEVE programme’s other hosts.

Runner-up in last year’s Totalsports Women’s Day 10km Race in Cape Town, ACHIEVE host, Nolene Conrad (left) with winner Fortunate Chidzivo and third-placed Anel Terblanche

“We use athletic participation as the catalyst, enabling these young women to believe in themselves, while exposing them to a wide range of possibilities out there.”

“At mass women-only events they feel part of a sisterhood,” continued Conrad. “We believe that the Totalsports Women’s Race is a wonderful opportunity for the young women to come out of their communities and explore the unique history and beauty of the Mother City.

“Taking part in the event in 2022 was such a positive experience for them. They really enjoyed the spirit and vibe of the race and receiving the beautiful event T-shirt and medal is always the cherry on the top for them.”

Endurocad athlete Rickecia Smith holds off two close rivals to take 2nd position in the Cape Town leg of the Totalsports Women’s Race 5km. Photo – Stephen Granger

The legacy of ACHIEVE is substantial and best captured in the testimonies of those closest to the programme coalface.

“The women’s empowerment programme has had a huge impact on the girls, both in terms of their self-confidence and also their academic progress,” related Johannes Kamfer, volunteer coach at Apex High School in the economically-deprived Eerste Rivier. “Many parents continue to give thanks for the positive influence the programme has had on their children.

“A father came to me with tears in his eyes to say how much the programme had impacted his daughter. She had fallen into depression and lost her direction completely, but when she started to engage with the programme’s exercises, there had been an incredible positive change in her behaviour.

Glenrose Xaba on her way to winning last year’s Totalsports Women’s 10km Race in Johannesburg. Photo – Tobias Ginsberg

“A mother of a daughter told us how her daughter’s school marks had increased once she started with the programme.

“ACHIEVE has also widened the girls’ circle of friendship. When girls started to exercise together, they made new friends. And not just with girls at Apex – they’ve started to get to know girls from other schools on the programme.”

Kamfer stressed that the purpose of the programme was not to make them into top athletes but to broaden their perspectives in all aspects of life.

“But it has also had positive impacts on the girls’ physicality,” Kamfer acknowledged. “Most of those on the programme have not come from a sporting background. Some of the girls at Apex could not even run 200m. Now they run up to an hour with ease – they have changed physically and their self-confidence has grown accordingly.”

Elana van Zyl, Nolene Conrad and American technology executive, Rhonda Vetere, running with ACHIEVE girls from Macassar High. Photo – Stephen Granger

Kamfer added that the participants get many opportunities to advance themselves. “For example, they have access to South African legends like Elana van Zyl and Zola Budd. And Nolene Conrad is a current top athlete.  You can imagine their excitement – and also that of their parents!

“They get many opportunities they would never normally enjoy – running mountain trails, tackling obstacle courses, climbing Table Mountain and being coached to walk the runway in fashion shows!

“I told Elana that there are no words to express our gratitude. In short – it’s an amazing journey for the girls.”

Janice and Nadeel Wildschutt, supervise ACHIEVE girls at Stellenzicht Secondary School.

“The ACHIEVE Women Empowerment Programme has allowed our girls to connect with girls from many different schools and opened their eyes to seeing what they are capable of doing if they do not give in to their fears,” explained Janice.

ACHIEVE at Stellenzicht! From right, Nadeel Wildschutt, Lekesiha Lakay, Janice Wildschutt, Chantal Wildskut, Jesmien Van Der Ross, Keesha Lakay, Wynechia Jacobs. Photo – Nadeel Wildschutt

“I have seen my girls blossom academically, socially and on the sports field. They have become a lot more excited to see what life has to offer them have started believing that anything is possible.

“My girls now look forward to any ACHIEVE event as they know they will get to do and learn something new and exciting. My girls have truly become young women that I can be proud of. All thanks to Endurocad!”

Proud ACHIEVE coach, Janice Wildschutt, with her ACHIEVE girls from Stellenzicht Secondary School. Photo – Nadeel Wildschutt

Her husband and leading distance athlete, Nadeel Wildschutt, started as voluntary coach at Stellenzicht in March last year and believes the women’s empowerment initiative has played a vital role in how they perceive themselves.

“The programme has integrated sports, academics and the girls’ personal development. In a nutshell, they now understand that their future lies in their hands,” Wildschutt emphasized. “There is already an academic improvement and they have become motivated and inspired individuals.”

Xoliswa Mbobo coaches 21 girls on the programme at Makupula Secondary school in Kayamandi, but is determined to expand that number.  “This is not enough,” she argues. “I still want more girls to join the programme!

“They’ve learnt many things from the programme, specifically encouraging them as women. It’s helped them a lot and they love travelling into Cape Town for the Totalsport Women’s Day Run, getting T-shirts and eating food after the run.

“Endurocad has played a big part in Kayamandi girls’ life and that’s much appreciated!”

GoodLuck – joining the Women’s Day bonanza in Cape Town. Photo – Linde Dorenbos

The renowned South African electronic music band, GoodLuck, will add to the party atmosphere at the Cape Town event, which starts in front of the City Hall before runners follow an historical journey through District 6, Parliament, and the Company Gardens.

Runners in Durban will enjoy a fast and flat ‘PB route’, including well known landmarks such as Moses Mabhida Stadium and the scenic beachfront. Well-known South African recording artist, singer and songwriter, Holly Rey, will serenade the Durban participants.

Holly Rey – set to appear at the Durban Women’s Day event. Photo – courtesy Stillwater Sports

Johannesburg entrants will be challenged by a few more hills than their fellow runners in Cape Town and Durban, with the start and finish at the Mark’s Park Sports Club. South African multi-platinum selling artist, Boohle, will provide strong entertainment value at ‘Egoli’.

All races start at 08h00.

For every R20,000 donated to ENDUROCAD we can facilitate a part-bursary towards an Edurocad Satellite Club Member athlete to be a Member of ENDUROCAD and to benefit from ENDUROCAD’s services. Donation details at http://endurocad.co.za/womens-empowerment/#