A Zimbabwean woman, Fortunate Chidzivo, came first in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 10km run on Sunday and broke the record for this race, in which three other Zimbabweans who were sponsored by Zimnat participated.
Tariro Makanga and Lilian Choruwa, who through Zimnat’s social media competition won an all-expenses-paid trip to Cape Town to participate in the race, acquitted themselves well.
MaZimnat, as the two have become popularly known, completed the run in impressive times. They were presented with Sanlam Marathon Medals. A Zimnat staff member, Patricia Mutyavaviri, also participated in the race.
They were treated to a chauffeured ride from the airport when they arrived in Cape Town on Saturday and to a welcome dinner together with other runners invited by Sanlam from across Africa.
The young women were accommodated at the Radisson Red Hotel on Cape Town’s Waterfront. After the race they were treated to hospitality at the Sanlam tent.
“We wouldn’t have made it without you Zimnat. Thank you for such a beautiful experience,” said Lilian whose eyes were filled with tears of joy and excitement.
The Sanlam Capetown Marathon each year attracts members of more than 23 international running clubs and more than 15 000 runners. Being the only Gold status marathon on the African continent, it attracts some world class athletes.
Zimnat group marketing executive Angela Mpala was also excited about how the event turned out.
“As Zimnat, we continue to make life better in every way that we can,” she said. “Our partnership with Sanlam, the largest non-banking financial institution on the continent, provided us with an opportunity to enable Lilian and Tariro to participate in this top class marathon, alongside athletes from many other countries.”
Zimnat offers businesses and individuals a variety of products, including motor insurance, home insurance, life assurance, travel insurance, funeral cover, health and accident insurance, pension schemes, unit trusts and private wealth management.