SPAR Does It Again!
The 2022 Hollard Sports Industry Award for Health and Fitness went to the SPAR Virtual Challenge! Hopefully, the last of its kind, SPAR was forced to host its third virtual challenge last September in order to keep the momentum of the brand property known as the SPAR Women’s Challenge that has been running for over 30 years. Although the event was virtual for the third year in a row, it delivered on its ethos of empowering women through running, camaraderie and wellness. What a bonus for the event to be recognised for its health and wellness benefits in South Africa!
The SPAR Grand Prix Awards celebrated winners in many categories for the six-city tour of South Africa that touts the best in women’s running over 10kms. An international event that again attracted some household names, such as Tadu Nare and Salem Gebre from Ethiopia and Helalia Johannes (2020 winner) from Namibia. Nare successfully defended her 2021 title by taking the series in 2022. Kesa Molotsane was the first South African in the series, finishing fourth after Nare, Gebre and Johannes, respectively.
In November, I had the honour of representing SPAR at the Blitz conference sponsored by SPAR and Standard Bank with the aim of bringing seventy people together from diverse backgrounds and unique organisations to help tackle the challenge of ending GBV. SPAR, along with many others, has done a lot to help build awareness around the subject since 2019, but is now looking for ways to making an even greater impact through activism.
As part of 16 Days of Activism initiated by the UN for global awareness, SPAR commissioned me as host and ambassador of the brand to go around the country interviewing stalwarts who have been fighting against GBV, supporting survivors and educating their communities. Click on the link below for the programme developed by SPAR that coincides with the annual 16 Days of Activism, 25 Nov – 11 Dec.
I had the privilege and honour of interviewing Siyabonga and Luyola of Langa for Men, the Minister of Menstruation and Activist Candice Chirwa, award winning dancer, choreographer and producer of Sullied, Kristi-Leigh Gresse and the mother of first year UCT student Uyinene who was raped and murdered in Cape Town, Nomangwane Mrwetyana of the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation.
