Beijing Holds "Be the Legacy" Running Race to honor Madiba's Centenary

A 6.7 kilometer running race along a mountain road has been held in Beijing on the eve of International Nelson Mandela Day on July 18 in honor of his 67 year of fight for freedom.

The Beijing Africa Center, together with the China-Africa Renewable Energy Alliance, has organized the race six years in a row in honor of Madiba's legacy. They have also proposed 67 ways that members of the general public can become "Mandela change makers" and follow Mandela's call to "make of the world a better place", such as by being considerate of other people and helping others to stay in good health.

Nearly 70 participants from China, Germany, Ghana, and Zimbabwe braved the summer heat to take part in the race.

Nearly 70 runners have taken part in a race in Beijing, Sunday, July 15th, 2018 ahead of International Nelson Mandela Day on Wednesday. [Photo: China Plus/ Wang Lei]

Tshepiso Malele, acting head of China for Brand South Africa, says he is very happy to see Chinese people join in the celebration and continue the legacy of Nelson Mandela. "On July 18, that will be Mandela's one-hundred birthday. There will actually be activities throughout the year to celebrate one hundred years of Nelson Mandela, and this is indeed an excellent way to start," said Malele. "For 67 years of Mandela's life, he worked towards bettering humanity. And what Mandela asked us to do is contribute 67 minutes of our own time, which is what we come here to do."

Dr. Elia George Kaiyamo, Namibia's ambassador to China, speaks to China Plus News at race in Beijing, Sunday, July 15th, 2018 ahead of International Nelson Mandela Day on Wednesday. [Photo: China Plus/Wang Lei]

Speaking at the event, Dr. Elia George Kaiyamo, Namibia's ambassador to China, said International Nelson Mandela Day is important both to Africans and the world at large as it is an opportunity to remember Mandela's contribution to peace. "This day reminds us to march together for peace in the world. China and Africa need to continue the legacy of friendship to achieve a win-win situation and to march together for a shared future."

African drummers perform on stage before a race starts in Beijing, Sunday, July 15th, 2018 ahead of International Nelson Mandela Day on Wednesday. [Photo: China Plus/Xu Yawen]

More and more organizations have joined activities like this to honor Mandela Day in Beijing, including the South Africa-China People's Friendship Association. Tai Enlong, the Beijing representative of the association, says that although his organization has taken part in the celebrations every year at their headquarters in Johannesburg, this is the first time that the Beijing office has taken part in the racing organizing team. "The 6.7 kilometer race is to remember the 67 year effort by Nelson Mandela to fight for racial equality. It's challenging to the runners to finish this race on the mountain road, however, it will give them a taste of the arduous process that had been gone through by Mandela," Tai said.

A group dance led by South African students following a race in Beijing, China, Sunday, July 15th, 2018 ahead of International Nelson Mandela Day on Wednesday. [Photo: China Plus/Xu Yawen]

Wang Xingyi is a female runner who won a medal for being one of the first 20 runners to finish the race. "The 300 meters before reaching the peak of the mountain becomes very challenging, since it contains 1,300 steep steps," said Wang. But she made it through the challenge thanks to her belief that "No matter how slow you march, it's still much better than to come to a stop."

Wang says that running is like life: As long as you hold on to your dream, sooner or later you can overcome your difficulties. This sentiment reflects how Nelson Mandela fought for freedom during his 27 years of imprisonment. Wang, speaking with the same tenacity and perseverance, said that the Chinese people have fought to raise a nation free from oppression and poverty.

Zhou Qi didn't join in the race this year, but she came along to cheer a friend on. Qi says that she admires Mandela's faith and perseverance. Qi hasn't been to Africa yet, but hopes that one day she could visit and witness the great animal migration.

Charity cards are hung on tree branches and alongside a mountain road. People can scan the QR codes and make donations to help children who are in need. [Photo: China Plus/Xu Yawen]

Wolf Kantelhardt is a runner from Germany who has been living in China for twenty years. Currently he's working for the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. He brought his five-year-old son along to the race, so he could share in the experience of meeting people from different cultures from a young age. "For me, I think Nelson Mandela is a great hero, and to run up this mountain and come back down is nothing compared to what he achieved," he said.

Thinking back over the 20 years he's been living and working in China, Kantelhardt said "I appreciate that young Chinese people are very interested in international politics, so they know a lot about Mandela and the politics of other countries."

A group photo of event organizers along with winners of a race, in Beijing, Sunday, July 15th, 2018 ahead of International Nelson Mandela Day on Wednesday. [Photo: Beijing African Center]

He Qin is a Chinese runner who is in his 40s. Talking about the role Nelson Mandela plays in China today, He said, "China is in a process of rapid development. People run the risk of becoming conceited and neglecting the needs of disadvantaged groups. But Mandela, with his great love for all the human beings, serves as a reminder for people to stay humble and sensitive to the needs of others."

Madiba played many roles in his 95 years of life. He was South Africa's first black president, an anti-apartheid activist, and a Noble Peace Price winner. But perhaps what the world remembers him for the most is his caring heart and generous soul that was dedicated throughout his life to fighting for peace and justice in South Africa and around the world.