Comrades winner Tete Dijana rewarded with R100 000 by employer

Comrades winner Tete Dijana has been rewarded an additional R100 000 bonus by his employer on top of his first prize money.

PROUD SECURITY COMPANY REWARDS COMRADES WINNER

On Monday, 30 August, employer Mi7 National Group gifted Dijana with the R100 000 bonus cheque which will be split into a cash component and an investment into Dijana’s future training.

The bonus consists of an R50 000 cash component immediately payable and an R50 000 fund at Dijana’s disposal for any future training he may require.

After taking three months of unpaid leave to prepare for the Ultimate Human Race, the company also afforded Dijana a full month’s paid leave for the much-needed rest and recovery that he requires.

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According to Mi7, the reward is in recognition of his outstanding first-place finish in the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon.

THE TIME TETE DIJANA CROSSED THE FINISH LINE

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.

The company confirmed that he is employed as a guarding officer by Mi7 National Group since 2020.

During the handover, Mi7 National Group Director Colin David said: “As a company, and as an industry as a whole, we are not only extremely proud of Dijana, but also in awe of the tireless dedication, perseverance, and diligence accomplishing this feat required. These are the traits on which we place great value in our line of work and are an embodiment of Mi7’s principles. By rewarding such accomplishments, we hope to inspire others to passionately chase their dreams with the same rigour displayed by Dijana”.

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Dijana, who was still in high spirits after his race on Sunday, said: “I am very grateful to my Mi7 team for this great gesture. This support will keep me on top of my game as I’m already looking forward to next year”.

COMPANY ADDRESSES UNPAID RUMOURS

Addressing the unpaid leave rumours, the company stated that Dijana submitted a formal request for unpaid leave in May this year, citing personal responsibilities as the reason for doing so.

“Mi7 guarding supervisors approved the request and were only made aware of Dijana’s training in June. Subsequently, Dijana was contacted, his only request being that his deployment at North-West University remains unchanged upon his return.”

Mi7