KRISTEN VAN SCHIE
NWABISA Siyongwana isn’t a runner. But that didn’t stop colleague Given Mills from trying to get her to take up the sport.
“We went for a run once in Clarens and she kept saying ‘Just up to that pole… up to the next pole… up to that pole,’” said Siyongwana.
“She loved running. I think she saw freedom in it.”
But that was before the accident, before Mills and four fellow runners – Moroese Mokoatsi, Reneilwe Lesenyeho, Isaac Tlale and Nomvula Dumako – were mowed down by a car that struck and killed them on Saturday morning.
Another runner is still in hospital after being badly injured in the accident.
Yesterday, when about 150 athletes gathered in Midrand to run in memory of the five, Siyongwana ran with them.
Some ran in black shirts to mourn their friends. Many more wore reflector vests, and a metro police escort guided them past the heavy 5pm traffic.
“I knew that doing this – following in Given’s footsteps – would be hard, but I hope it will help bring closure,” said Siyongwana.
Mokhutso Mokgatlhe cried as she laid a flower at the spot where her friend Mokoatsi was killed.
“She was funny, bubbly, always happy. I don’t remember her ever being angry,” she recalled.
Duane Newman, from the same club as Lesenyeho, said: “The reality is that drunk driving is a big problem in our country. We, as the running community, need to crack down. It’s just sad because we see this every week.
“People who are passionate about their running, who are trying to be in shape, get killed by someone who doesn’t care.”
Driver Sbusiso Langa has appeared in court on five counts of murder and one of attempted murder.