Durban - Comrades Marathon winner Tete Dijana, who is a security guard, received a R100 000 bonus from his employer, the Mi7 National Group, on Monday.
As the men’s champion, Dijana secured the R260 000 prize money and a gold medal with his time of 5:30:38.
The Mercury reported on Monday that despite a massive windfall after winning this year’s Comrades Marathon, the 34-year-old plans to keep his day job as a security guard.
Mi7 National Group director Colin David said Dijana has another reason to celebrate his well-deserved victory, after the Mi7 National Group rewarded him with a R100 000 cash bonus.
David said the reward is in recognition of his outstanding first place finish in the world's largest and oldest ultramarathon.
“The bonus consists of a R50 000 cash component immediately payable and a R50 000 fund at Dijana's disposal for any future training he may require,” he said.
David said Dijana also received a full month’s paid leave for much-needed rest and recovery. He then plans to return to his post, he said.
“As a company, and as an industry as a whole, we are not only extremely proud of Dijana, but also in awe of the tireless dedication, perseverance, and diligence accomplishing this feat required.
“These are the traits on which we place great value in our line of work and are an embodiment of Mi7’s principles. By rewarding such accomplishments, we hope to inspire others to passionately chase their dreams with the same rigour displayed by Dijana,” said David during the handover of the cheque.
David further explained Dijana’s unpaid leave submission three months before the race.
“Dijana submitted a formal request for unpaid leave in May this year, citing personal responsibilities as the reason for doing so. Mi7 guarding supervisors approved the request and were only made aware of Dijana’s training in June. Subsequently, Dijana was contacted and his only request was that his deployment at North West University remain unchanged upon his return,” he said.
Dijana has been employed as a guarding officer by Mi7 National Group since 2020 and is stationed at the North West University.
