13 June 2023
On Sunday, Hilton College science teacher and Falcon House Housemaster Kwanda Sibiya completed the Comrades Marathon in 11:42:40, an outstanding achievement.
Except… He also ran from the finish, at Kingmead, to the start, in Pietermaritzburg, on Saturday. Mind-boggling!
Sibiya ran the double Comrades for two orphaned children from his hometown of Manguzi, in an attempt to raise funds of R90 000 to feed and educate them. “I noticed that the pattern of them struggling and not finishing school was about to be repeated,” Sibiya said in an interview with the SABC. “I wanted to do something to change that.”
Kwanda Sibiya’s story
Sibiya was raised by a single mother, Thembi, who lost her husband in a car accident when Sibiya was only six-years-of-age. Through the support of his village, he was able to make a success of his life.
He excelled in science and mathematics and studied both subjects at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He, then, became a teacher.
Knowing how others in his community had helped him escape poverty, he wanted to do the same for them. With the support of friends and professionals, he established the Kwanda Sibiya Foundation to raise funds for the Manguzi community.
Kwanda Sibiya Foundation | Facebook
Kwanda Sibiya Foundation – Changing Lives!
Fundraising for others
His first attempt to raise R90 000 to help two children, the Manguzi 500 Run/Cycle, in June 2021, was an incredible success.
With support from Hilton College, the Kolisi Foundation and Sport for Lives, Sibiya undertook the 500km journey from Hilton to Hambisanani School in Manguzi on bike and foot. Along the way, he was joined by small groups of people on the first and last days, while friends also ran or cycled with him at different stages.
He completed the journey in nine days. His childhood friend, Themba Sibambo, drove alongside him for the entire 500 kilometres.
Along the route, he found support from past pupils of Hambisanani and Old Hiltonians. In Manguzi, at Hambisanani, he received a hero’s welcome from the community.
Ultimately, Sibiya didn’t raise R90 000. He raised R250 000! The Kwanda Sibiya Foundation was on its way.
Last year, Sibiya ran 150 kilometres around the Hilton College grounds in 24 hours, supported by friends, students, colleagues and even some people he had never previously met. It was his way of honouring Hilton’s 150th anniversary, and it was also used as a fundraiser for Hambisanani School, with an aim of establishing a science centre and a library.
The Kwanda Sibiya Foundation
The organisation states on its website: “The Kwanda Sibiya Foundation aims to inspire, empower, and support pupils of the Manguzi community. Hambisanani High School and Gadokuwayo Primary will be the focus schools to begin with and the neighbouring schools will follow.
“We believe in deeper meaningful impact; hence, our focus is directed to a smaller group. Our Three pillar projects are Funda Fundi Reading and Literacy Project, uMkhaya Education Project and the KwaNgwanase Careers Expo.
Its mission: “Helping youth to realise and unlock their God-given talents and potential through providing opportunities and creating an environment for them to thrive in education. With a particular focus on Quality Education, literacy, reading and career guidance.”
With Sibiya serving as an inspirational leader, his eponymous foundation is making a difference, delivering the dream of a better life, which his community gave him, to others in need of support and opportunities.
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