National Commissioner (NC) of the Department of Correctional Services, Mr Makgothi Thobakgale officially recognised and rewarded outstanding athletic excellence by presenting trophies to the top-performing Correctional Services athletes who secured top positions at the prestigious Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon 2026, powered by BYD.
The recognition ceremony celebrated the dedication, discipline, and competitive spirit of members of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) Athletics Clubs nationwide. These athletes represented the Department with distinction in both the 56 km Ultra Marathon and the 21 km Half Marathon, held on 11 and 12 April 2026, respectively.
An avid runner himself, NC Thobakgale has played a pivotal role in building a strong departmental athletics team. He also participated in a 24 km long run trial. Drawing on first-hand experience of the demanding Cape Town terrain, he acknowledged the difficulty of navigating the city’s challenging hills and steep descents.
Addressing the top performers and fellow participants, the NC emphasised that the athletes’ achievements reflect not only personal success but also promote a strong culture of wellness, fitness, and teamwork within the DCS.
“We award these trophies to the top performers as a way of appreciating their achievements, particularly because the Two Oceans Marathon is extremely demanding and physically tough,” said NC Thobakgale.
He also commended the Pollsmoor Athletics Club, which emerged as the best-performing club in the 56 km event at this year’s marathon. “It is encouraging to see the running competition among regions becoming increasingly strong. Among DCS athletes, Pollsmoor secured first and second positions in the men’s 56 km category, as well as a runner-up position in the women’s race, achieved by an athlete who participated as a novice in this event. This clearly shows that the club is developing positively and moving in the right direction,” he stated.
In the 56 km Ultra Marathon, the DCS athletics team secured silver medals for athletes who completed the race under four hours, while Sainsbury medals were awarded to those who finished under five hours. Bronze medals honoured runners who completed the ultra-marathon under six hours.
For the 21 km Half Marathon, DCS participants were awarded bronze medals for crossing the finish line within three hours.
Beyond medal recognition, participants were commended for finishing within the cut-off time and for improving their personal best performances. Athletes who were unable to complete their marathons were encouraged to return to training, reflect on their experiences, and come back stronger in future competitions.
Official Results for DCS Top Performers:
| 56 km – Top Three Males | 56 km – Top Three Females |
| 1. Masonwabe Bosiki (3:52) – Pollsmoor, Western Cape 2. Malakhiwe Ysterman (3:53) – Pollsmoor, Western Cape 3. Joel Kutu (4:21) – Kgoši Mampuru II, Gauteng | 1. Ziphindile Dlamini (5:07) – Witbank, Limpopo, Mpumalanga & North West(LMN) 2. Nokhanyo Mjobo (5:25) – Pollsmoor, Western Cape 3. Sindisiwe Nzimakwe (5:51) – Westville, KwaZulu-Natal |
| 21 km – Top Four Males | 21 km – Top Three Females |
| 1. Joel Kutu (1:37) – Kgoši Mampuru II, Gauteng 2. Kagiso Thoka (1:39) – Overberg, Western Cape 3. Mnoneleli Mafu (1:41) – East London, Eastern Cape 4. Johann Claassens (1:42) – Grootvlei, Free State and Northern Cape | 1. Sindisiwe Nzimakwe (2:11) – Westville, KwaZulu-Natal 2. Matlakala Sebolai (2:15) – Kimberley, Free State & Northern Cape (FS&NC) 3. Nicholize Visagie (2:19) – West Coast, Western Cape |