SCARC Head Coach Nkosi Mzolo leads by example, navigating the rapids with partner Mfaniseni Nyambose.
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The Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC), based in Soweto, has claimed the prestigious Team Award at the 75th edition of the Dusi Canoe Marathon, one of the world’s most gruelling canoe races.
Dusi Chairman Doug Gow (right) presents Nhlamulo Mahwayi and Sibusiso Tyiki from the Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC) with the prestigious Dusi Top Team Award for 2026. The award, given to the club with the first two boats home, recognised SCARC’s dominant performance at the 75th edition of the marathon.
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SCARC secured the Top Team Award, presented to the club with the first two boats home, through strong performances from Benjamin Mntontshi and Siseko Ntondini, who finished 5th overall, and Nhlamulo Mahwayi and Sibusiso Tyiki in 29th position. Every SCARC canoeist who started the race successfully completed the challenging three-day course through the Valley of a Thousand Hills and achieved their personal goals.
Siseko Ntondini and Benjamin Mntontshi battle the white water during the three-day course through the Valley of a Thousand Hills. The duo secured an impressive 5th place overall finish, acting as the lead boat that secured SCARC the Top Team Honours.
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Nkosi Mzolo, SCARC’s Head Coach, was over the moon with the team’s achievement. “Winning the Team Award is a tremendous accomplishment for SCARC and a proud moment for all involved,” said Mzolo. “This, combined with our impressive medal haul of 2 Gold, 6 Silver, and 4 Bronze medals, highlights the depth of our development programme.”
A SCARC athlete leads a pack of competitors during one of the Dusi’s legendary portage sections. Every SCARC canoeist who started the race successfully completed the challenging course, cementing the club's status as a leading youth development initiative in South Africa.
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In the Ladies race, Lesedi Bobo from SCARC, partnering with Nosipho Mthembo from KZN, delivered another strong result, finishing 9th overall. SCARC’s junior athlete Alulutho Tyenge also delivered a memorable performance after his K2 partner was forced to withdraw due to injury however Tyenge finished the race on his own – a sure sign of determination and perseverance that inspired everyone at the Dusi.
SCARC junior athlete Alulutho Tyenge demonstrating the perseverance the club is known for. After his K2 partner was forced to withdraw due to injury, Tyenge inspired onlookers by continuing and finishing the gruelling race on his own.
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Founded 23 years ago on the banks of the Power Park Dam in Soweto by Brad Fisher, chairman of Adreach Ltd, and a group of canoeists from the Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, SCARC has grown into one of the strongest canoe clubs in South Africa. The club plays a meaningful role in the holistic development of all its members while delivering competitive excellence.