Zimnat is to hold a charity half-marathon on November 10 to raise money to assist a 30-year-old Bulawayo man, Cebisani Ndlovu, who needs spinal cord surgery.
Mr Ndlovu, who holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) Honours degree in Risk Management and Insurance, is finding it increasingly difficult to walk, even with the aid of crutches, which he first started using in Form One.
The surgery he requires, which can be performed at a Bulawayo hospital, costs $7 500. Zimnat has decided, therefore, to try to help him raise the funds he needs by holding the charity half‑marathon, which will take place at the Barclays Sports Club in Harare’s Mount Pleasant suburb.
This will be the first time Zimnat, which is one of the country’s leading insurance and financial services companies, has held such an event.
“The marathon is open to anyone who wishes to participate in it and contribute to assisting this young man, whose abilities and employment opportunities are being undermined by his debilitating condition, which can only be rectified through surgery,” said Zimnat Group Marketing Executive Angela Mpala.
Participants in the marathon can decide whether to run five kilometres, 10 km or 21 km. The registration fee is $5 for those running the short 5km run. It is $10 for those taking part in the 10km and 21km run.
The marathon starts at 5.30 am on the 10th of November. It starts off with those running the 21km race. Those running the full 21 km marathon start at 5.30am. Those running 10 km start at 6.00am, while those running five kilometres begin their run at 6.30am.
Those interested in participating can visit the Zimnat web-site https://www.zimnat.co.zw/charitymarathon/or the Zimnat head office on the corner of Nelson Mandela and Third Street in Harare to register.
Even those who do not want to run but just to register can go on the site and donate money. The Ecocash biller code is 08603. To pay one can use the biller short code *151*2*1*08603*amount#. The account number is “marathon”.
Registration will also be open at Eve’s Fitness Studio at 384 Isis Road in Vainona from Thursday November 8 until the day of the event, Saturday November 10. There will also be registration on the day of the race at Barclay’s Sports Club. The first 1 000 people to register will receive a free race day vest.
Ms Mpala said people are encouraged to come in their numbers “to support this noble cause”.
“We would encourage as many people as possible to participate in this marathon to help raise funds to enable us to make this young man’s life better,” Ms Mpala said.