'We did not join Hollywood AC for money', Tete Dijana and Edward Mohibi rubbish Nedbank statement

Contrary to a statement from their former club, Comrades Marathon winners Tete Dijana and Edward Mothibi say they did not jump ship for financial reasons.

The revered ultra-marathoners were on Thursday unveiled by Hollywood Athletic Club as its latest marquee signings at an elaborate ceremony at the betting giant’s head offices in Umhlanga; they swiftly moved to quell the impression that they are mercenaries.

In announcing the duo’s departure on Wednesday, Nedbank Running Club’s national manager, Nick Bester, said: "Their contracts have not been renewed due to their retainer rates exceeding what the club can sustainably offer."

But, resplendent in the black polo shirts of their new club and sporting smiles as wide as the Limpopo - having been given a heroes' welcome by the Hollywoodbets staff who formed a guard of honour for them as they walked the purple carpet - Dijana and Mothibi said their move was about a need to grow and definitely not motivated by the lure of the greenbacks.

"I need to grow," three-time champion Dijana told the media corps. "It’s not about money; that is their statement. For me, it is about growing. I am not here for money. I always say I don’t chase money; money chases me. We are here to run and to grow, and we are going to develop. There’s no Hollywood development where I stay, so maybe we can start that."

Mothibi said: "No, not everything is about money. Money is the last thing you should think about. As a person, you need change to grow and face other realities. I hear people talking about money, money. But do you think everything should be about money? There’s something else that helps a person to grow. So, it is not about money. I want to explore and see the changes in my career."

The duo—who are coached by the reticent yet highly effective septuagenarian Dave Adams—are arguably the country’s most revered Comrades runners, having been dominant over the past few years. Dijana has been the Down Run champion on three occasions (2022, 2023, and 2025), while Mothibi won the 2019 Up Run and has finished second and third previously.

They are joining Hollywoodbets with four other members of their "Happy Bunch" group; gold medallist Johannes Makgetla is the most notable of the team that trains for the Ultimate Human Race in the quaint high-altitude town of Dullstroom, Mpumalanga.

While their new employers have said there is no pressure on the duo to deliver the Comrades title or help the club to a clean sweep—with their new teammate Gerda Steyn expected to win the women’s race again—the reality is that this is why they have been signed.

With this year being the Up Run, Mothibi will be among the favourites, but Dijana—despite looking for his maiden Up Run gold—cannot be discounted. He is sure to be eager to make up for the disappointment of 2024, when he cramped badly to finish 14th.