Hundreds shed a few kilos in City’s weight-loss drive
26-01-2015
Almost two years after it was launched by Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Parks Tau, the City of Johannesburg’s Healthy Lifestyle Programme has a loyal and growing following.
The programme – which seeks to encourage and instill a sense of health consciousness and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle among Johannesburg residents – is steadily taking a life of its own, as witnessed on Saturday when Johannesburg residents turned out in large numbers to take part in Healthy Lifestyle Street Fairs in no fewer than 50 wards throughout the city.
The street fairs are fun and interactive events that give participants the opportunity to sign up for the citywide weight-loss challenge and obtain early diagnosis, treatment and referral of chronic diseases. Residents also learn about screening for diseases and conditions such as sugar diabetes, obesity, mellitus, hypertension and prostate cancer.
The activities on Saturday included 5km fun walks, cycling, aerobics, six-a-side soccer matches and children’s games.
In Hillbrow in Region F, residents – young and old – descended on the Hillbrow Recreation Centre, where they underwent a gruelling two-hour karate training session.
Mmatshepo Monyai, a 27-year-old judo and karate enthusiast, said she was happy with the support the city was affording the centre.
“It is my wish that more and more people take advantage of this opportunity to look after their health and bodies, especially since it is offered for free,” said Monyai.
Other activities that took place at the centre were aerobics and a soccer match.
In Snake Park, Soweto, the Mayibuye Primary School in Ward 50, Region C, was buzzing from as early 6am when locals, including 67-year-old Mavis Moagi, started arriving for the first event of the year.
Gogo Moagi had walked from Block 10, a few kilometres from the ground, to make sure she had the best spot from which to follow aerobics instructor Seluleko Chaluza. She eagerly embraced every exercise move. After an hour, she sat on the bench to catch her breath.
“I normally exercise at the community hall in Block 4. In fact, we exercise there daily, from Monday to Friday. It helps a lot. I had debilitating arthritis in 2012. I couldn’t walk. But since I started exercising last year, my health has improved. I take treatment for arthritis and high blood pressure but it’s the exercising that has helped me the most,” said Moagi with a smile.
“I am very happy that Go Jozi is doing this for the community. This also helps us interact with other people in the neighbourhood and share ideas on how to stay healthy.”
She said her diet had also improved, with her family eating more vegetables.
“We get vegetable hampers once every month,” she said.
Another early bird was Violet Musingati, 64, from Block 2, who arrived at 6.15am. She was late by her standards, especially because it was her first street fair.
“Every day I go for a run around my neighbourhood at 5am,” she said.
“I have a disabled grandchild who I have to prepare to leave for school at 6.30am. That’s why I have to run early. I have no health worries at all. But since I started exercising, our diet in the house includes a lot of vegetables.”
Nearby, in Tshepisong Phase Six, about 150 locals showed up for the street fair at the Tshepisong Park 3. With booming background music, aerobics instructor Linky took a group of about 20 women (and a handful of children) through their paces.
Huffing and puffing, they tried to keep up with the fast pace, determined to shed off those extra kilos gained during the festive season. Although most of them do regular exercises at the nearby Tshepisong Community Hall, the long lay-off made the going tough.
A few metres away, former professional boxer Raymond Mashifane was playing matchmaker. Eleven bouts were on the bill and the first fight pitted nine-year-olds Ernest Ndebele and Anele Dudula against each other in a two-round bout.
Fast and furious, the youngsters did not waste time, trading blows like true professionals. Anele drew the loudest cheers. He was declared the champion after flooring his opponent.
“Boxing teaches these kids discipline. We mentor them, we want them to avoid crime and drugs, which are destroying this community,” said Mashifane.
Jabulani Ngubane, the chairman of the Sports Congress Forum and a member of the local sports committee, welcomed City’s plan to host street fairs every second week.
Raymond Mudzuli, City of Joburg’s Coordinator: Food and Resilience Programme in Region C, was pleased with the turnout in both Snake Park and Tshepisong. He said the community’s response was very encouraging.
The street fairs are in line with the City’s Growth and Development Strategy 2040 (GDS 2040), which seeks to mobilise residents to make positive and healthy lifestyle changes.