photo; Courtesy
Renowned Olympic champion Caster Semenya has been named an ambassador for gender equality ahead of the 2026 Race to Gender Equality, a public walk and run designed to raise awareness about persistent gender gaps and inspire collective action across communities.
Hosted by the Motsepe Foundation, the initiative uses sport as a platform to spark reflection on social norms, structural barriers, and everyday biases that continue to shape opportunities for women and girls worldwide.
By positioning a high-profile athlete at the forefront of the campaign, organisers aim to amplify conversations around fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity on a global scale.
The Race to Gender Equality will offer participants a choice of distances, including a 5km fun run, as well as 10km and 21km race categories.
The different distances symbolise personal commitments to advancing gender justice in homes, workplaces, institutions, and public life.
Individuals are encouraged to dedicate their participation to specific issues they care about, ranging from gender-based violence and unequal care work to pay disparities, access to capital, leadership representation, education, barriers in STEM fields, technology bias,s and legal equality.
The 2026 event coincides with 10 years of advocacy through the Foundation’s Gender Equality, Wellness and Leadership (GEWAL) Centre, which promotes inclusive leadership, wellbeing, and equitable access to opportunity.
Over the past decade, the Centre has supported initiatives to address systemic inequalities and encourage broader public engagement in gender-focused reforms.
Semenya will be joined by activist Qhawekazi Mazaleni, with both ambassadors expected to participate alongside members of the public.
Their involvement is intended to highlight the role that influential voices can play in challenging stereotypes and advancing inclusive narratives in sport and society.
Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Co-Founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation, said the ten-year milestone offers a moment to acknowledge progress while recognising that significant disparities remain.
“This ten-year milestone recognises that while progress has been made, much more work remains to achieve true gender equality,” she said.
“Sports are deeply embedded in our culture. In many parts of the world, they have historically shifted perceptions around inequality. For gender inequality, this is the cultural momentum needed to spark lasting changes for the decade ahead.”
Since its launch, the Race to Gender Equality has drawn thousands of participants, including men, women, and children, reinforcing the message that sustainable change requires broad-based and cross-generational involvement.
Organisers emphasise that gender equality is not solely a women’s issue, but a shared societal responsibility.
By combining athletic participation with advocacy, the 2026 Race to Gender Equality seeks to contribute to a wider international push to close gender gaps and promote inclusive growth, demonstrating how community-driven initiatives can complement policy efforts in the pursuit of lasting equality.
About Motsepe Foundation
The Motsepe Foundation is a family-founded philanthropic organisation established in 1999 by African business leaders Dr Patrice Motsepe and Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe.
Rooted in a commitment to social justice and inclusive development, the Foundation works to address poverty, inequality, and unemployment through targeted investments in communities.
Operating primarily on the African continent while engaging in global partnerships, the Foundation focuses on education, health, gender equality, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and community development.
Its approach combines grant-making, programme implementation, and collaboration with governments, civil society organisations,s and multilateral institutions.
