The Soweto Marathon's future is uncertain as athletes from the 2025 event are still waiting for their prize money. A proposed partial payment was delayed, leaving winners in limbo. Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) had planned to use surplus funds from the 2024 race to make interim payments. However, the release of these funds, held by the Gauteng Sports Confederation, has been delayed. CGA general manager Mandla Radebe stated that the process has been affected by delays, but no reason was provided.
The delayed payment affects several athletes, including 2025 men's winner Joseph Seutloali, who is owed R250,000, and Gerda Steyn and Onalenna Khonkhobe, who are each owed R90,000 for finishing third in their respective races. Their coaches have not received direct communication from CGA or the Soweto Marathon Non-Profit Company, which organized the 2025 event. Instead, they learned about the proposed payment plan through media reports. CGA is engaging with stakeholders to find a practical solution to the outstanding payments.
The Soweto Marathon's governance issues are complex, involving multiple entities, including the Soweto Marathon Trust, Soweto Marathon Pty Ltd, CGA, and the Soweto Marathon Non-Profit Company. The conflict began in 2023 when CGA removed the race from the Soweto Marathon Trust's control due to governance and financial concerns. Soweto Marathon Pty Ltd was created as a temporary measure but faced financial difficulties, and its bank accounts were frozen. The Soweto Marathon Non-Profit Company was then formed to organize the 2025 event.
African Bank, the headline sponsor, has fulfilled its contractual obligations, including paying rights fees, but claims that distributing prize payments is the responsibility of the race organizer. The bank has reached out to the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture to discuss the matter. Despite being listed as a sponsor on some race calendars, African Bank stated that it has no sponsorship contract in place for a potential 2026 edition.
The Soweto Marathon Trust maintains that it is the lawful custodian and owner of the event, disputing the authority of the structures that organized the 2025 event. Trust spokesperson Stan Itshegetseng argued that surplus funds held by the Gauteng Sports Confederation are an asset of the trust and cannot be touched without its authority. Itshegetseng suggested that Athletics South Africa, CGA, and other entities that benefited from the disputed races should contribute to settling the outstanding prize money.
The 2026 edition of the Soweto Marathon is unlikely to proceed due to ongoing governance issues. Although the race appears on some online calendars, no entries have opened, and little information has been made available. CGA has stated that it will not sanction a future edition until outstanding governance matters are addressed. The organization's position remains that athletes should not be prejudiced by governance issues and must receive their payments.
The Soweto Marathon has a history of boardroom chaos, with multiple entities vying for control. The dispute has left athletes without payment and the event's future uncertain. Key stakeholders, including CGA, Athletics South Africa, and the Soweto Marathon Trust, must resolve their differences to ensure the event's continuity and fairness for athletes.
Key points
- Athletes from the 2025 Soweto Marathon remain unpaid due to delayed partial payments.
- Governance issues threaten the future of the Soweto Marathon, with the 2026 edition unlikely to proceed.
- Multiple entities, including CGA, Athletics South Africa, and the Soweto Marathon Trust, are involved in the dispute over control and payment.
