l 28 February 2020 l Delivered Free 033 394 0044

Duzi Marathon 2020

After claiming her first Dusi title in 2019, Christie Mackenzie will partner up with 2018 K2 winner Cana Peek for the 2020 race from February. 27-29 Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media

Following a tough weekend of 2020 Dusi Canoe Mar- The young and old combination of Stew Little (front) Following a strong performance at the recent 50 Miler, athon qualifiers recently, Sbonelo Khwela (front) and and Jacques Theron (back) have been in solid form in Ant Stott (front) and Carl Folscher (back) have put Thulani Mbanjwa (back) would have seen the Ozzie the build up to the 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon. Antho- their names firmly in the contenders hat ahead of the Gladwin Canoe Marathon as a opportunity to show ny Grote/Gameplan Media 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon. Anthony Grote/Gameplan that they are definitely Dusi title contenders. Anthony Media Grote/Gameplan Media 28 February 2020 Duzi Canoe Marathon | Maritzburg SUN

Martin Dreyer’s FNB Change a Life Academy stars Banetse Nkhoesa (front) and Msawenkosi Mtolo (back) will be a force to be reckoned with come the 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon. Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media Recent good rains along the route has meant that paddlers can expect a good water release from Inanda Dam for day three of the 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon. Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media Development stars Summer rains point eyeing strong Dusi towards good water results s perennial achievers at the Dusi that Dreyer has high hopes for going into the Canoe Marathon, Martin Dreyer’s Dusi. for 2020 Dusi AFNB Change a Life Academy lead “I believe that Banetse and Msawenkosi are some stellar results at the 50 Miler going to be very competitive and are the dark and Mfula to Inanda races as they look to the horse combination at this year’s Dusi,” Dreyer s the summer rains continue Inanda Dam and Nagle Dam are Dusi at the end of February. commented. “They are such a well-balanced to bring welcome relief to both important feeders to the city of Change a Life’s leading paddler Khumbu- team, with an abundance of talent with regards many parts of KwaZulu-Na- Durban but with the level being higher A lani Nzimande is teaming up with nine-time to running and paddling. Their personalities tal, the 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon will than previous years an increase in the Dusi Canoe Marathon champion Andy Birkett suit each other which is crucial when you benefit from the higher water table as release from Inanda is possible. for this year’s race and the pair showed that spend so much time training together. Umgeni Water has reassured the race “We will receive at least 10 Cumecs they will be the K2 to beat with two good wins The top fifteen of the 50 Miler was packed of good water in the Msundusi and from Inanda which is the same amount against stacked fields recently. with FNB Change a Life paddlers. Mngeni Rivers for the iconic event. as we received last year and that was “Andy and Khumbulani sit very nicely in “What is encouraging to see is that paddlers The two important catchment dams more than enough for paddlers when the boat together,” Martin Dreyer said. “It’s from the academy are sought after Dusi part- that feed water into the Msundusi they paddled around Burma. fantastic to see someone of Andy’s amazing ners and it’s exciting that some have been and Mngeni Rivers, Henley Dam and “The release from Nagle Dam will ability and pedigree taking on a raw super invited by good paddlers outside of the acad- Inanda Dam, are both at good levels be a bonus for us but I think that is a athlete in Khumbulani. He will likely make a emy. following a steady summer rainfall good possibility considering we got a huge impression on him. “Kwandokhule Mzolo is paddling with Jack which suggests good water releases, release from Nagle last year. "No matter what the Dusi result, the three Edmonds and they will be going for a podium says Kevin Trodd, the KZN Canoe “But the big release will be for day months training together will be a life changing in the Under 18 category, whilst Zonele Nzuza Union’s Water Liaison Officer. three and with the current situation experience for this youngster from the Valley is paddling with Trenton Lamble and they will “The release from Henley Dam has looking like it is and with rain around of a Thousand Hills. be looking for a top ten finish.” already been confirmed which will give there is a good chance we will receive “Khumbulani is a work horse of note and The Dusi will attract development teams day one and two good levels,” Trodd more from Inanda Dam,” he added. will not take this opportunity lightly. We can from all over the country and the strong Sowe- said. The release from Inanda Dam coin- see that they are combining really well togeth- to and Recreation Club (SCARC) “Inanda Dam is 10 percent up on cides with the ecological flush that er.” will also send through some strong paddlers this time last year so we are confident takes place along the Mngeni River Fellow Change a Life stars Banetse Nkhoe- that will be pushing for top 10 spots. Nick that we will be able to get more of a from the dam wall to the sea at Blue sa and Msawenkosi Mtolo finished in third Tatham release from them.” Lagoon. Nick Tatham place at the 50 Miler and this is a combination

BUTCHERY TM MEAT & CHICKEN DUZI SPECIALS

KAMEELHOUT WORS PORK FRESH CUTS MAMA SIZZLER WORS HEROS WORS

R6999 R4999 R11999 R7999

Edendale Mall • Shop 52 • 033 398 7063 Maritzburg SUN | Duzi Canoe Marathon 28 February 2020

For the Euro Steel/Gara pair of Jenna Ward (front) and Kyeta Purchase (back) will take the 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon in their stride. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media

Sister pair Bianca (front) and Tamika (back) Haw used the 50 Miler to dust off the cobwebs as they prepare for an assault on the 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon. Ward & Purchase Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media Haw sisters throw up for Dusi their names into challenge he reigning SA K2 River Cham- of experimenting when it comes to the pions and long-standing K2 comparison between running and paddling marathon partners Jenna Ward certain sections of the Dusi route and they the Dusi hat andT Kyeta Purchase are out to use their have found that paddling will be more paddling strengths to make a bold statement beneficial for them. aving raced onto the podium in est finish to the women’s race in Dusi histo- at the Dusi Canoe Marathon. "With the Haw sisters and Christie a K2 in their Under 23 days, the ry. Bianca is a former junior K1 champion The World Marathon Championship (Mackenzie) and Cana (Peek) we think HHaw sisters, Tamika and Bianca, which ensures that the combination has a silver medallists have become one of the that we would lose less time paddling than have decided that they will give the Dusi very strong Dusi pedigree. longest standing elite crews in South Africa running. Canoe Marathon another go together in Mackenzie will team up with 2018 and won the national river title at the Hansa For Purchase, the Dusi forms part of 2020 when the three day race. winner Cana Peek and the pair will provide Fish last year, but, surprisingly, they have the bigger picture as they prepare for the 2018 saw Jordan and Cana Peek became a significant threat to the Haw sisters. never paddled a Dusi together despite their national trials for the World Marathon the second all-sister pair to win the Dusi The sisters took on the 50 Miler where illustrious career as a K2 duo. Championships in Norway in August. She when they dominated for the majority of they shook off the cobwebs and the they While their paddling strength on the believes that the Dusi will be a good block the race to take the title in fine style. The will focus on the popular Campbell’s to water is well documented, Purchase made of training for them. Haw’s, who finished third in 2014, will be Dusi Bridge race to give them some valu- no qualms about their lack of pace over the "We started racing this season as part of hoping to channel that sibling success in able time on the river ahead of the show- . our marathon training and won the first two 2020. down at the end of February. "It's no secret that Jenna and I are not races really well so we thought we would “We want to do as well as we can and if Paddling with a sibling is something that the strongest running combination because give it a go. we win then that will be great,” older sister Tamika enjoys because there is a deeper we just don't put as much effort into our "We wanted to see how things were Tamika said. understanding there. running as our paddling," Durban North’s going given that we have never paddled a “We have been training together a lot "When I with Yankee I know Purchase said. Dusi together and that was really exciting over the holiday period but we sit well in that I can say what I want and if there is a "With Marathon's being our focus that going into the season. a boat together so I am not too worried disagreement then it is resolved quickly. means that we focus much more on our "It will provide us with a good base for about the amount of time we get in a boat “We might have an argument but it ends paddling and putting in that base work for the rest of the year with Marathon's in June together. there and we apologize and carry on,” she the rest of the year is important for us." and it is an event that forms part of a much Tamika Haw finished second in the 2019 explained. Nick Tatham The Euro Steel/Gara Paddles pair of bigger picture for us." Nick Tatham K1 Dusi to Christie Mackenzie in the clos- Ward and Purchase have done a fair amount

TM Understand the ins BUTCHERY MEAT & CHICKEN DUZI SPECIALS and outs of property

KAMEELHOUT WORS PORK FRESH CUTS MAMA SIZZLER WORS HEROS WORS Learn how to: ONLY • Buy, sell, rent and invest in residential property • Manage finances and avoid unexpected costs R200 • Grow your property investments, and more... The how-to guide you wish you had at 20! R6999 R4999 R11999 R7999 Available at CNA, Exclusive Books or Online: thepropertyguide.co.za Brought to you by Edendale Mall • Shop 52 • 033 398 7063 28 February 2020 Duzi Canoe Marathon | Maritzburg SUN Last week’s rains will help paddlers Mfundo Mkhize pollution was triggered by open were still above the norm, he the section of the course which where required, remedial action he good rains experi- manholes and sewer spillages. was hopeful that the situation is highly contaminated. If you implemented,” he said. enced in the region will Le Breton said the day of the would gradually improve. He carry you bottles, you are far more He said on Wednesday, Umgeni Tbe useful for paddlers latest sampling coincided with the said the team from the Duct was susceptible to swallowing contam- will release water from the Henley gearing up for the 69th edition of organisers meeting with Msunduzi also monitoring the state of the inated water,” he said. He praised Dam which is estimated at 800 the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon Mayor Mzi Thebolla and his depu- river. “We are always in constant the race organisers for being trans- mega litres. The release would end from February 27 – 29. ty Inderjit Manilal which yielded communication with Msunduzi parent with how the preparations on February 27. “This will raise Race chairman, Shane le Bret- positive results for their prepared- Municipality whereby we inform had panned out. the level of the Msunduzi River on, said they were ready for this ness. them of the spillages and all Umgeni Water spokesperson so that canoeists are able to move year’s event despite the above He said council seemed to have the pollution in the river,” said Shami Harichunder said the water through it with ease during the average E. coli levels along the made good on their promise to Vilakazi. He said last year’s race utility had increased the number of race. It will also flush the river, Msunduzi River. stem the problem. He added that had seen a number of paddlers sites in the Msunduzi River where thereby improving the river water Symptoms of E. coli infection since the meeting, the team had bitterly complaining about “dusi it monitors raw water quality. He quality,” said Harichunder include diarrhoea, vomiting, stom- been fixing the manholes, and gut”, a term used to describe the said from January 2020 Umgeni He said significant rainfall in ach cramps and fever. The levels would also be targeting river trib- diarrhoea associated with the river Water included an additional 12 recent weeks have also assisted are measured on a regular basis, utaries to ensure that no pollution pollution. areas for sampling and testing of in flushing the Msunduzi-Mngeni sampled and taken by the team makes its way down the river. He Dusi legend and the founder raw water at its in-house labora- system to Inanda Dam, including from the Duzi uMngeni Conser- listed Baynespruit, Slangspruit of the Change a life Academy, tory. scouring some of the oil residue vation Trust (Duct). According to and the Dorpspruit as some of the Martin Dreyer, who will be canoe- “This has been done to obtain that remained on the river banks the Duct water quality assessment, hotspots. ing with his wife offered some a more comprehensive picture of after the completion of the clean- last week’s E. coli levels showed “We are doing what we can to advice. He said for the first 8 kms raw water quality in the Msunduzi up operation that was commis- moderate risks for canoeing activ- reduce the E. coli,” he stressed. of the race, paddlers should not River. Information obtained from sioned to manage the August 2019 ities. The latest samples, taken Duct’s Sanele Vilakazi said be carrying any hydration bottles the testing of raw water has been oil and caustic spill from Willow- on February 18, show the river while the recent E. coli levels to avoid getting sick. “That is provided to municipalities and, ton. New incentive for Dusi K2 contenders ompetitive crews eyeing the overall winner, then the men’s podium places at the K2 will get the incentive,” he CDusi Canoe Marathon explained. from February 25 to 27 can look “We are excited to have forward to the biggest prize pool women’s river paddling very well in South African canoeing once supported and highly competitive again and a brand new incentive at the moment, and together with that will reward an exceptional the equal prize money, we feel result by the winning women’s that this new race-within-a-race crew. will draw further attention to the The winning male and female strength of women’s paddling at K2 crews will once again receive the moment,” he explained. the same prize of R25 000, but the “I think this new incentive is a new incentive that will run as a great step forward from a racing new thread through the racing will point of view,” said surfski world offer a R45 000 bonus based on champ and respected athletes the relative finish of the women’s representative, Hayley Nixon. race winners. “We’ve seem similar approaches “The performance of the adopted in surfski races over the winning women’s K2 is always past few years. assessed as a percentage of the “What it means is that there winning men’s K2 crew’s time,” is no room for either the male or explained Dusi race committee female leading crew to back off head Shane le Breton. “Based because you may well be winning on the last ten year’s results, your gender fight but you don’t the winning women’s boat has want to lose to the other gender. finished at 116% of the winning “In the past we took for granted men’s boat. that the men would, by virtue of “The new incentive will be testosterone and physical capabil- given to the winning women’s ity, finish first and take the overall K2 if they finished in a time that prize but now there is an oppor- is less than 114% of the overall tunity for male and female to race The Ozzie Gladwin Canoe Marathon provided paddlers with clean water and fantastic conditions to continue their build-up to the Dusi Canoe Marathon. Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media winner. If it is 114% or rounded each other. It’s a magic incentive, down to that percentage point it it’s really fair for all, it screams will be shared. If the women’s out equality and that’s what we Thanks to Gameplan Media for pictures and articles winners are 115% of more behind want to see in our sport,” she said.