Tete Dijana Comrades Marathon

The 2023 Comrades Marathon will return to Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium when the iconic race finishes on Sunday, 11 June. Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images

Comrades Marathon champion Tete Dijana took UNPAID leave to train – FEEL GOOD

South Africa’s Tete Dijana won the Comrades Marathon ‘down’ run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban on Sunday in a truly ‘Proudly SA’ moment.

Tete Dijana Comrades Marathon

The 2023 Comrades Marathon will return to Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium when the iconic race finishes on Sunday, 11 June. Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images

South Africa’s Tete Dijana won the Comrades Marathon ‘down’ run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban on Sunday in a truly ‘Proudly SA’ moment.

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Tete, who works as a security guard at the North West University’s Mahikeng campus, crossed the finish line at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in 5:30:38, ahead of second-placed Edward Mothibi (5:33:46). Dan Moselakwe completed the podium in third place (5:36:25).

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“I don’t have words. It took me three months to prepare for this marathon,” Dijana said in a post-race interview.

“I took unpaid leave … This [marathon] belongs to Mafikeng. Edward Mothibi won it in 2019. And I’ve won it now.”

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Mothibi, who also hails from Mahikeng’s Magogoe village, was the defending champion having triumphed the last time it was held in 2019.  

Only Tete Dijana’s second Comrades Marathon

Sunday’s Comrades Marathon was only Dijana’s second participation having run his first in 2019 where he finished a lowly 50th.

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For his sacrifice of taking unpaid leave from his job to pursue his Comrades dream, Dijana pocketed R260 000.

In addition, as the first South African to finish, Dijana pocketed a R100 000 bonus.

And there will no doubt be extra bonuses for the 34-year-old from his Nedbank Running Club.

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Here’s hoping North West University pays back the unpaid leave money to Mzansi’s newest athletics star.


Premier of the North West Kaobitsa Bushy Maape congratulated Tete Dijana for winning the title. 

“The people of the province personify what I said in my maiden State of the Province Address when I quoted Nigerian author and poet Ben Okri. We are people who have the capacity to endure and turnaround our lives no matter the challenges confronting us,” said Premier Maape.  

“This continues to demonstrate that the province is abundant with talented people. We have been working hard in resuscitating and promoting sports in various parts of the province. And our efforts are now paying dividends,” Maape added. 

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The North-West University also took to social media to extend its congratulations to Dijana, posting: “NWU congratulates Tete Dijana in winning the Comrades Marathon. As a member of the MI 7 security group at the Mahikeng campus you are an ambassador for the NWU.”