CRDB Bank Marathon raises Sh135 million at DR Congo event

Lubumbashi.  The total amount of $50,000 (Sh135 million) was raised in the DR Congo’s inaugural CRDB Bank Marathon held on August 4, 2024 in Lubumbashi.

The event featured 1,000 runners and the money raised would be used to support the children’s ward at Jason Sendwe Hospital in Lubumbashi.

The race also featured many dignitaries including the guest of honour, the Governor of Katanga Province,  Jacques Kyabula, who was accompanied by 10 provincial ministers led by the Minister of Sports and the Minister of Health.

The race was also graced by the Tanzanian Ambassador to the DR Congo, Ambassador Said Mshana, the Burundian Ambassador to the DRC, and various CRDB Bank officials led by the Chairman of the CRDB Bank Board of Directors, Ally Laay, and the acting managing director of CRDB Bank, Bruce Mwile. Kyabula commended CRDB Bank for bringing together the Congolese and participants from neighbouring countries to contribute to improving children’s healthcare and enhancing community welfare.

“We thank the CRDB Bank Marathon for supporting the government’s efforts to improve healthcare services for citizens. Our government prioritises health, and we are pleased with the efforts made by CRDB Bank in improving children’s health,” said  Kyabula.

For his part,  Ambassador Said Mshana praised CRDB Bank for its efforts in fostering international relations and strengthening unity and solidarity in the community. Ambassador Mshana said the marathon, originating in Tanzania, showcases the innovation that Tanzanian institutions can export to other countries to help improve community welfare.

The Chairman of the CRDB Bank DRC Board, Fred Msemwa, explained that the marathon is part of the bank’s strategy to support government efforts to enhance the welfare of the Congolese people.

 “This marathon not only promotes sports, but also builds a culture of community volunteering. Our bank believes that by bringing people together, we can easily reach many groups and thus enhancing community welfare through innovative programmes like the CRDB Bank Marathon, as well as our innovative services and products that will support efforts to promote financial and economic inclusion,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of CRDB Bank in the DR Congo, Jessica Nyachiro, thanked the marathon partners Africell, Orange, Ogowe Cleaning, Kin Marche, Policlynique Delta, Shalina, Vinmart Foundation, SUNU Insurance, and Dukan.

“Even though this is the first year in the DR Congo, the response has been overwhelming. We are very grateful to our partners and all the runners who joined us in spreading smiles to our children.”

The marathon will also be held in Burundi on August 11 and later in Tanzania on August 18. For her part, the managing director of the CRDB Bank Foundation, which organizes the races, Tully Esther Mwambapa, expressed her joy at the warm reception of the event in the DR Congo.

Tully thanked the Tanzanians who turned out in large numbers to participate in the DRC race, including thanking the main marathon partners Sanlam, CRDB Insurance Company, and Clouds Media.

 “I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to continue registering for the races in Burundi on August 11 and in Tanzania on August 18,” she added. The race saw Alfred Pungwe emerge the winner of a half marathon to make history in the DR Congo’s edition.

Pungwe expressed his joy in participating in the race. “This tradition is new to the city of Lubumbashi, and I believe it will greatly help build community cohesion. I highly commend our CRDB Bank for showing great love for our children, and we promise to support it,” said Pungwe.