The Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC) Secures Top Team Honours at 75th Dusi Canoe Marathon

The Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC), a FirstRand Youth Development Initiative, has claimed the prestigious Team Award at the 75th edition of the Dusi Canoe Marathon, one of the world’s most gruelling canoe races.

SCARC secured the Top Team Award, presented to the club with the first two boats home, through strong performances from Benjamin Mntontshi and Siseko Ntondini, who finished 5th overall, and Nhlamulo Mahwayi and Sibusiso Tyiki in 29th position. Every SCARC canoeist who started the race successfully completed the challenging three-day course through the Valley of a Thousand Hills and achieved their personal goals.

Nkosi Mzolo, SCARC’s Head Coach, was over the moon with the team’s achievement. “Winning the Team Award is a tremendous accomplishment for SCARC and a proud moment for all involved,” said Mzolo. “This, combined with our impressive medal haul of 2 Gold, 6 Silver, and 4 Bronze medals, highlights the depth of our development programme.”

In the Ladies race, Lesedi Bobo from SCARC, partnering with Nosipho Mthembo from KZN, delivered another strong result, finishing 9th overall. SCARC’s junior athlete Alulutho Tyenge also delivered a memorable performance after his K2 partner was forced to withdraw due to injury however Tyenge finished the race on his own – a sure sign of determination and perseverance that inspired everyone at the Dusi.

Founded 23 years ago on the banks of the Power Park Dam in Soweto by Brad Fisher, Chairman of Adreach (Pty) Ltd, and a group of canoeists from the Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, SCARC has grown into one of the strongest canoe clubs in South Africa. The club plays a meaningful role in the holistic development of all its members while delivering competitive excellence.

This latest triumph further cements SCARC’s position as the country’s leading youth development initiative in canoeing. In completing such a demanding race, the SCARC team has shown what can be achieved through endurance, perseverance and hope.