Proudly South African brand, Takealot, backs first-of-its-kind event celebrating sport, unity and the enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela
Cape Town, South Africa, 8 September 2026 – Takealot has been announced as a major sponsor of the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon Cape Town, taking place on 18 October 2026, throwing its support behind a new South African sporting event created to celebrate the country, its people and the enduring values of Nelson Mandela.
Created in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the first-of-its-kind event will bring thousands of runners together through the heart of Cape Town under the banner Rise. Remember. Run.
For Takealot, the sponsorship reflects a commitment to backing local initiatives that bring South Africans together and create moments of shared national pride.
“Takealot was born in South Africa, built by South Africans and has grown alongside this country for the past 15 years. Being a major sponsor of the very first Nelson Mandela Marathon Cape Town is something we are incredibly proud of,” says Karla Levick, Chief Marketing Officer at Takealot.
“We believe local brands have a role to play beyond the products and services they provide. We should be backing South African ideas, talent and initiatives that move our country forward. This event brings together our love of sport with the legacy and values of one of South Africa’s greatest leaders, and we are honoured to be part of it from the very beginning.”
“The Nelson Mandela Marathon creates an opportunity to bring people together through sport, while promoting healthy living, community connection and economic activity. It is also an important part of the Nelson Mandela Legacy Sporting Series, which uses sport as a platform for participation, mobilisation and social impact.
Madiba understood the power of sport to bring people together and drive social change. At a time when poverty and inequality continue to shape the realities of millions of people, we believe participation and collective effort matter. The Sporting Series is therefore about more than sport and more than fundraising; it is about bringing together individuals, organisations, communities and partners around a shared commitment to active citizenship, social justice and collective action,” said Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi, Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Bob Verbeeck, CEO of Golazo, agrees. “Running has always been one of the most inclusive sports, and this series embodies that spirit. It is a true honour to work alongside the Nelson Mandela Foundation to pay tribute to Madiba and carry his values forward.”
Golazo and Itheko Sport Athletic Club have joined forces to bring Cape Town’s iconic Slave Route Challenge into the Nelson Mandela Marathon weekend. The inaugural event is expected to bring together 30,000 participants across multiple race distances, taking runners past some of Cape Town’s most iconic and historically significant locations, including the Castle of Good Hope, Company’s Garden, Bo-Kaap and District Six, with views of Robben Island.
At its heart is a call to Rise. Remember. Run. – to rise for equality and justice, remember those who walked and sacrificed before us, and run together in unity.
The Cape Town event will also mark the beginning of a new Global Running Series inspired by Mandela’s legacy, with races planned for cities including Nairobi, Paris and Berlin from 2027.
“Cape Town is where the Takealot story began, which makes it even more meaningful to help launch an event here that has ambitions to reach the world,” adds Levick. “We want to see South African ideas succeed on the global stage, and we are immensely proud to stand behind this one.”
Entries are now open for the 18 October event, with participants able to register for the marathon, half marathon and shorter-distance events at https://nelsonmandelamarathon.com/
