From addiction to the ultimate human race: Erwin Arends’ story of never giving up
Erwin Arends and Mpume Dlamini-Arends share their powerful story of addiction, recovery, family, resilience, and how running helped transform a life ahead of the 2026 Comrades Marathon.
The 2026 Comrades Marathon theme, Comrades Marathon “Ska Fela Moya” (Never Give Up), celebrates perseverance, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit.
Few stories embody that message more powerfully than the journey of Erwin Arends.
In a moving and deeply personal conversation with Danny Guselli, Erwin and his wife, Mpume Dlamini-Arends, opened up about the realities of addiction, recovery, marriage, family, and the difficult road toward rebuilding a life.
Their story is not just about running. It’s about survival.
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When life takes an unexpected turn
For many people, addiction is something they hear about in headlines or see portrayed in films. For families living through it, however, it can feel like a daily battle with no finish line.
Erwin candidly reflects on a period of his life marked by alcoholism, a struggle that affected not only him but also those closest to him.
What followed was a journey through rehabilitation, self-discovery, and the difficult work of confronting his challenges head-on.
Recovery didn’t happen overnight. It required commitment, accountability, and the willingness to start over.
Again and again.
The role of family in recovery
Throughout the conversation, Mpume shares her perspective as a wife, partner, and supporter navigating the complexities of addiction within a family.
Her reflections offer a powerful reminder that recovery is rarely an individual journey.
Behind every comeback story are often people who choose hope when giving up feels easier.
The couple speaks openly about the challenges they faced, the difficult conversations they had to have, and the resilience that helped them keep moving forward together.
It’s an honest account of what happens when a family decides to fight for a better future.
Finding purpose on the road
For Erwin, one of the most significant turning points came through running.
What started as a physical activity eventually became something much deeper.
Road running provided structure, discipline, and a new sense of purpose. It offered goals to chase, challenges to overcome, and a healthier way to channel his energy.
Over time, the road became a place of healing.
Each kilometre represented progress. Each finish line became a reminder of how far he had come.
And like recovery itself, distance running taught him that success often comes from taking one step at a time.
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While the conversation takes place against the backdrop of the Comrades Marathon, this is about far more than completing an ultramarathon.
It’s about refusing to let your worst chapter define the rest of your story.
It’s about second chances.
It’s about rebuilding trust, repairing relationships, and discovering that change is possible; even when the odds seem stacked against you.
The message at the heart of Erwin and Mpume’s story mirrors the spirit of “Ska Fela Moya”: Never give up.
Not on yourself. Not on the people you love, and not on the possibility of a different future.
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