Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
The 'Happy Bunch' seek redemption at Comrades after dizzying setback
The Mercury
|June 05, 2025
The Nedbank Running Club's training group, fondly referred to as The Happy Bunch, are looking to regain their joy at this year's Comrades Marathon following a forgettable outing in the 2024 Up Run.
The 2024 edition of The Ultimate Human Race is sure to be chalked up by the group as an episode in their illustrious Comrades story best forgotten. Save for Dan Matshailwe finishing runner-up and Joseph Manyedi coming in fourth, there were no other gold medals for the group, who are accustomed to dominating the top ten.
The duo have since left the group, leaving former champions Edward Mothibi and Tete Dijana, along with multiple gold medallist Johannes Makgetla, to carry the torch - the trio having "seen dust" last year. For reasons still baffling to them, they along with Galaletsang Mekgoe, who finished fourth in 2022 all suffered dizzy spells during the race.
Dijana, champion back-to-back in 2022 and 2023, was the worst affected the sight of him hobbling along the road as his legs turned to jelly a sad, lingering memory from last year's race. He finished in 14th place.
Mothibi did not fare quite as badly, but he too struggled inexplicably and ended up finishing two places behind Dijana.
This story is from the June 05, 2025 edition of The Mercury.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Mercury
The Mercury
G20 Summit in South Africa: A success for MSMEs despite the absence President Donald Trump
SOUTH Africa has officially done the unthinkable: pulled off the first-ever G20 Summit on African soil, smoothly, stylishly, and with enough gravitas to make global leaders nod thoughtfully while sipping rooibos tea.
3 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
GBV: CYRIL MUST SHOW US THE MONEY
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’ classification of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national crisis is just empty words without a concrete plan on how to financially capacitate the organisations at the forefront of curbing the scourge.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
AmaZulu, Durban City chase wins
AMAZULU could climb to third in the Betway Premiership standings if they beat Richards Bay in the KZN derby tomorrow evening (7.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
Net salaries remained unchanged in October - PayInc Net Salary Index
NET salaries remained unchanged in October, according to the PayInc Net Salary Index, which tracks the average nominal net salaries of around 2.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
R60bn class action lawsuit against banks hits critical stage over inclusion of new evidence
THE long-running R60 billion class action bid against South Africa's major banks reaches a critical procedural stage today as the Gauteng High Court will hear an interlocutory application that could determine how much evidence will ultimately be allowed before the court.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
From grovelling to greatness: Proteas conquer their Everest
GROVEL.
3 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
Cost of household food basket eases slightly in November, but affordability crisis deepens
THE Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group’s (PMBEJD) Household Affordability Index for November shows a slight month-on-month decline in food costs, but civil society groups warn that nutritious food remains out of reach for millions of South Africans as the festive season begins.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
How innovative South African SMEs are thriving through digital transformation
RECENT reports of an uptick in business liquidations in South Africa, 145 in October alone, may have understandably set off alarm bells about the health of the country’s small business sector, but while closures have a profound impact on communities and livelihoods, they don't tell the full story.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
Major upgrade work underway at Nelson Mandela Capture Site
THE Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick is seeing a significant surge in international tourists as the heritage destination undergoes major infrastructure upgrades, including a new access road, improved parking, a gatehouse, and stormwater systems.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
OPEC+ nations again face thorny issue of how much they can pump
OPEC+ nations gathering this weekend are once again grappling with the thorny question of how much oil they're physically able to pump.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size