Meet Your 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Bus Drivers

“History will be made as we run the streets of Cape Town towards Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Majors.”

-Tumelo Motshabi

In a marathon, you often hear a pacing bus before you see a bus. The group of people running as a collective unit of support, keeping athletes on board with a unique spirit and energy. The sounds of hand against the tambourine and shoe, against the road against a chorus of voices encouraging and motivating each other.

The 2025 pacers are about the people as much as they’re about the pace. Creating an experience of inspiration and strength. If you’re running your first marathon, chasing a new personal best, or looking to finish strong after 42.2km of Cape Town’s roads, the pacesetters are around to make sure you hit that target. Read further to see the drivers behind the bus and what you can expect when you run with them.

3h00 Bus

Wave 1, Batch A: Paul Thompson, Siyanda Gebashe, Bongani Bilankulu, Mduduzi Nhleko

In this bus, runners can expect: Pacing as smooth as butter, regular updates on when to speed up or slow down, and a focused journey to hit that 3 hour mark at Green Point Stadium.

Paul Thompson | Started pacing SCTM in 2024

Paul sees pacing a run as part of giving back to the sport, helping others as a sign of gratitude. He feels like he’s living part of life’s purpose, seeing runners smile after their achievements or reaching their goals. 

Bongani Bilankulu | Started pacing SCTM in 2023

Pacing for Bongani is a great way to stay fit and participate without chasing a personal best (PB). For Bongani, there’s not much more rewarding than seeing people he has paced to sub 3 previously breaking faster and faster times each year.

Siyanda Gebashe | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

The joy in assisting other runners achieve their goal and unlock new PBs drives Siyanda. While this might be his first time pacing the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, it is not his first time pacing. Driving a pacing bus has made him realise the importance of teamwork and what everyone can do when they work together, even in a sport where there is one winner.

Mduduzi Nhleko | Started pacing SCTM in 2024

To Mduduzi, to be a pacer is to be a mobile ambassador of the race, helping runners from all over the world experience the beauty and rhythm of the course. 

He sees pacing as a strategy, a puzzle that needs discipline and a deep understanding of effort and energy. It’s an exciting tactic, not aiming for the perfect race, but rather for perfect consistency that other runners can rely on.

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3h15 Bus 

Wave 1, Batch B: Tinus Olivier, Youssef Kanouni, Tebogo Rangoato, Joe Faber

In this bus, runners can expect: There will be a plan, always communicated and updated as the race unfolds, with one aim to keep moving forward. It might not always be laughter, but the aim of the game is to enjoy the unbelievable experience Sanlam Cape Town Marathon offers as much as possible. 

Tinus Olivier | Started pacing SCTM in 2023

For Tinus, there is no better feeling than seeing other runners achieve personal goals crossing that finish line. Highlight memories while pacing have been grateful runners crying after their race, and to be introduced to the family of a man who achieved his goal, and to shake the hands of his dad. 

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3h30 Bus

Wave 1, Batch C: Sphiwe Tsolanku, Amit Kumar Yadav, Louzanne Coetzee, Jacobus Sevenster

In this bus, runners can expect: Good vibes, smart pacing, and steady support. It’ll be a relaxed, settled start and the energy will build as the race does. Get on board for motivational stories and running jokes.

Sphiwe Tsolanku | Started pacing SCTM in 2024

Sphiwe knows how much it means to hit a personal best and has had races made by the pace buses on the course. Inspired by this, he became a pacer and now reaps the rewards of being able to offer encouragement and maintain the rhythm of the run. He believes it’s trust, teamwork and triumph that come to play, even in what’s often seen as an individual sport.

Amit Kumar Yadav | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

Amit has a wealth of running insights from 15 years of running, 65 marathons, and 6 Comrades finishes. For the first time, he’s giving back, making the switch from others’ goal times being the focus rather than his own.

Louzanne Coetzee & Sewie Sevenster | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

As a blind athlete, Louzanne joins a pace bus on most days while training, marking a massive positive impact on her running journey. She has competed and completed races on the world stage and has established bonds through running with friends that feel like family. Her biggest inspiration for becoming a pace setter is the fact that she can share her love for running with fellow athletes. With her guide runner, she knows what it means to work as a team and is excited to hear the stories and connect with the community on race day.

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3h35 Bus

Wave 1, Batch D: Tavon Petersen, Mkhululi Jack

In this bus, runners can expect: A steady pace, encouragement, motivation, and a positive atmosphere to keep spirits high.

Tavon Petersen | Started pacing SCTM in 2023

Through his own experience running in a pace bus, Tavon has learnt discipline, consistency, and the joy of running for others as much as for himself. He’s excited to join the bus once more, taking the opportunity to give back. Tavon is proud to be a part of the history and legacy, to showcase Cape Town to the world, and help runners hit their goals on a global stage.

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4h00 Bus

Wave 1, Batch D:  Sbusiso Mlangeni, Wandile Mahlasela, Smash Ramoshaba, Welile Mdunge

In this bus, runners can expect: Music, motivation, easy energy and encouragement. If you’re looking for a bus with soul, this is the one to jump on. With empathetic drivers, this bus is about the finish time and the journey of the experience. 

Wandile Mahlasela | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

Wandile was inspired to become a pacer primarily by the deep sense of fulfilment he receives when helping other runners achieve their own running goals, such as achieving a PB or just finishing a race on schedule. Pacing has impacted him in so many ways, to become more selfless and involved in connecting with a deeper sense of community.

Smash Ramoshaba | Started pacing SCTM in 2023

Smash is driven by two things: community and running. Pacing allows him to tap into both, giving back to the running community and focusing on helping others while (and at times through!) running, and has seen the impact it has had on his life.

Welile Mdunge | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

Runners can expect: 

Welile’s method is to watch the time, but also to watch people’s faces. She says pacing is about people, not only the splits. She was inspired to pace by the joy of others believing in themselves on the day. She loves using her experience as encouragement and being the voice of belonging, a steady reminder that every athlete has worked to be there. She has seen firsthand how powerful it is when women, in particular, feel seen and supported in sport and she’s there to celebrate that.

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4h00 Bus

Wave 2, Batch E:  Veruschke Juries, Pitso Notshi, Maredi Mphahlele, Richard Moeti

In this bus, runners can expect: A blend of consistent splits and high spirits. It’s set to include quiet encouragement from some drivers and a pace party with singing and cheering. If your focus is on getting that goal and enjoying your time as you do, you’ll be in good hands here.

Veruschke Juries | Started pacing SCTM in 2016

Veruschke adores seeing runners achieve their goals and will do her best to make a race memorable, whether it’s for a PB or about the vibe. She worries about the time so runners don’t need to; rather, their energy can go to their feet and the feat of what they’re doing.

Pitso Notshi | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

Pitso, also known as the ‘Honeybee’, has been a passenger in many buses and realised the gravity of having people lead him in both races and other places in life. The inspiration to help others was sparked by this, and getting to see people overcome both physical and mental barriers is one of the most rewarding parts of being a small but powerful part of an athlete’s race.

Maredi Mphahlele | Started pacing SCTM in 2024

Maredi’s desire to help other runners achieve goals is driven by his passion for the running community. He’s always been a runner, but has gained so much from running with a bus, able to focus on consistent movement rather than pressure on keeping a pace. For Maredi, it’s a privilege to be amongst the Official Pace Setters in one of the most exciting marathons on the African continent and the globe. 

Richard Moeti | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

For Richard, it’s an amazing thing to see people work together to conquer challenges. To be a part of that aligns with his philosophy that we conquer when we tackle challenges as a united front, and pacing represents that.

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4h15

Wave 2, Batch F: Dorian Esau, John Legoale

In this bus, runners can expect: Lekker “gees” (atmosphere), good music, and a quality final 12km following a comfortably paced 30km.

Dorian Esau | Started pacing SCTM in 2020

Being a pacer has helped Dorian in his own racing, as he can focus on the end and maintain energy for the last part of the race. The name of his game is efficiency and consistency, taking a relaxed start and a strong finish rather than a fast start and a tough finish.

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4h15 

Wave 3, Batch G: Zola Jozana, JP Juries, Tumelo Gidion Motshabi  

In this bus, runners can expect: A step-by-step strategy including music and motivation as pain is encouraged into energy with a positive atmosphere. Memories will be made here, and we can almost put a 100% guarantee that they’ll all be good!

JP Juries | Started pacing SCTM in 2018

Becoming a pacesetter means more than just being someone carrying a flag for JP. It’s about seeing athletes progress as they achieve goals and make their dreams a reality. He’s excited about making the race easier for athletes by “doing the hard work” and managing the splits.

Tumelo Motshabi | Started pacing SCTM in 2024

Tumelo believes in teamwork and collaborating with others to achieve a common goal. This is a belief that was founded in running and leading a group towards the finish line. 

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4h30

Wave 3, Batch H: Maropeng George Mojela, Moss Seabo, Molefe Mosweu  

In this bus, runners can expect: A combination of everything to encourage and engage runners, the rhythm from tambourines and a count of steps will be the order of the day.

Molefe Mosweu | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

With training and guidance from experienced friends over the past years, it came to a point where Molefe lost interest in chasing his own time goals. His experience of officially joining the pacing team has encouraged him to train harder, channeling discipline and determination. For him, assisting fellow runners with pacing to achieve their targets is fulfilling as a way of giving back the experience to others, especially novices. 

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4h45

Wave 3, Batch H: Phaphama Malusi, Samkelo Sithole, Mandla Dladla  

In this bus, runners can expect: Music as motivation and stories to succeed. 

Mandla Dladla | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

Mandla believes that encouraging each other when running requires teamwork and discipline. He started working with the running community to see runners achieve their goals in 2019, inspiring the journey to do more and become an official pacer.

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4h30 

Wave 4, Batch I: Petrus Khoza, Mfundo Dlamini, Thula Mkhwanazi  

In this bus, runners can expect: The bus motto is “We start Together and finish Together”. On race day, there will be tambourines, flags, good laughs, and encouragement, spearheaded by clear instruction on what the plan is.

Petrus Khoza (CozaBus) | Started pacing SCTM in 2024

Coza’s key motivation comes from the joy derived from seeing fellow runners achieving their targets, either a qualifier or a PB. Through pacing, his training and running journey has changed, adding in both fast and slow paces to be prepared to pace-set any time. The best part for him now is that he never needs to run alone in races.

Mfundo Dlamini | Started pacing SCTM in 2024

The opportunity to impart the African spirit to runners across the globe inspired Mfundo to start pacesetting. The role helps focus his running and sharpen the basics.

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4h45

Wave 4, Batch J: Tsholo Makwe, Jeff Ramokoka, Lazarus Malebana  

In this bus, runners can expect: A run that makes newbies look forward to their next marathon. It’s all about the vibe, the beat of the tambourine, and a reminder of gratitude (not attitude) to supporters and marshals.

Tsholo Makwe | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

Tsholo has always enjoyed pacing new runners, guiding and supporting an enjoyable journey to the finish line.

Lazarus Malebana| Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

Lazarus struggled in his first attempts to complete and achieve early marathon goals. Being a part of the journey of runners who have not been able to complete their race is a big part of why he is pacesetting. The joy of crossing the finish together and the camaraderie made him realise that it is not about running, but the human spirit that perseveres beyond all odds. 

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05h00

Wave 4, Batch J: Ashraf Orrie, Nicolas Cardenas, Anthony Rimbault  

In this bus, runners can expect: War stories, chirping other runners (friendly banter), and plenty of laughter. News is that Mr O’s Bus for Us is the most photographed bus on race day.

Ashraf Orrie | Started pacing SCTM in 2024

Ashraf, known to many as ‘Mr O’, realised during the COVID years that life is short and not everything is a race. He grew tired of chasing PBs, and it meant more to him to help others achieve their race goals.

Mr O’s most memorable marathon moment involves finding a novice runner at 14km in agony and tears and taking her home to the finish line.

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5h00

Wave 5, Batch K: Tumo Mokhatla, Zolani Mayekiso, Natasha Felix  

In this bus, runners can expect: Fun is guaranteed, singing where it makes sense, and a relaxed running environment.

Zolani “Slyza” Mayekiso | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

Zolani sees pacesetters as leaders, dream carriers, motivators, and athletes who give up their own goals to help other runners achieve theirs. This is what sparked his journey to pacing. He loves the connection with other runners, conversations and sharing our experiences.

Natasha Felix | Started pacing SCTM in 2024

When Natasha started running professionally, support became her biggest need and finding women’s support was an especially big challenge. She became a pacesetter with the focus to assist everyone in reaching their goals, with a deeper focus on supporting women. 

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5h15

Wave 5, Batch L: Diana Jansen, Renee Cupido

In this bus, runners can expect: This bus runs, laughs, conquers, and throws in a few whoop-whoops along the way!

Diana Jansen | Started pacing SCTM in 2023

Diana was inspired to become a pacesetter because she knows just how much it means to have someone steady by your side in a race, experiencing the difference a pacer can make first-hand. Pacing is about more than just holding a consistent time for her; it’s about giving back to the running community, creating connections, and helping others achieve dreams they might not think possible.

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5h30

Wave 5, Batch L: Mervin Smith, Tatum Donnelly  

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5h45

Wave 5, Batch M: Yenzi Olifant, Neil Horne  

In this bus, runners can expect: High spirits, good music, strong motivation and a good dose of laughter will be on the agenda for race day. 

Yenzi Olifant | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Pacing Debut

In Yenzi’s first ever marathon, she wasn’t sure what to do, how to pace a race, and a bus driver invited her in and helped her get to the finish, even advising her how and when to hydrate during the race. This had a massive impact on her running journey, and she has not looked back since. 

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6h00

Wave 5, Batch N: Peter Taylor

In this bus, runners can expect: Running at a constant pace, knowledge and guidance, barefoot running stories, and camaraderie and support from the bus and fellow runners in the group.

Peter Taylor | Started pacing SCTM in 2024

Peter races barefoot, and athletes in the bus can look forward to shocked faces from spectators and other participants. Peter’s (subtle) advice is to hang on and run the final 12km together; at 30km things get tough.

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6h30/Angel Bus

Wave 5, Batch N: Shahieda Thungo, Magdaleen Kemp, Natasha Arndt, Bothwell Matewe, Thabile Math  

In this bus, runners can expect: This bus, the Sanlam Angels, delivers runners to the finish line just ahead of the final cut-off. There is a different kind of magic in the bus, with a hand-in-hand connection with each runner, tunes from the ’80s, silly jokes, and tears. 

Magdaleen Kemp | Started pacing SCTM in 2023

Magdaleen feels strongly that no one should feel alone in the struggle, and her role is to believe in runners when they lose courage, bringing hope, guidance, and encouragement to lighten the journey so they can achieve goals they once thought impossible.

Natasha Arndt | Started pacing SCTM in 2023

Running is about more than just the clock; it’s about community for Natasha. Becoming a pacesetter allows her to stay accountable to the goal of helping others cross the finish line, while reminding her that running is meant to be fun. 

Bothwell Matewe | Started pacing SCTM in 2023

Pacing at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has opened up new avenues Bothwell says he could only imagine, and says that being invited to be a pacer at the TCS London Marathon 2025 is testimony to that. A memory that stands out for him is having a runner join his bus, who had lost their mother the week leading up to the SCTM 2024. They ran in honour of their mother, but broke down in the last 10km of the race and felt they could quit and Bothwell helped encourage them to complete the race with the support of other passengers on the bus.

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