Walking to a healthy lifestyle

05 October 2015

 

Hundreds of young and old Johannesburg residents stepped up to a healthy lifestyle when they took part in a fun walk organised by the City in Kibler Park in Region F on Saturday October 3.

 

Staged under the theme “Stepping Up to a Healthy Lifestyle”, the fun walk was aimed at encouraging the local community to adopt healthy living by engaging in physical activity such as walking, running and cycling.

 

The fun walk started at the Summer Avenue park at 8am, proceeded along Paul Street, Hulda Road and Felix Drive; turned into Straton Street; and back to the park. The first 10 walkers to arrive back at the park were presented with gold medals. The first 100 after that received silvers, whereas the last group bronzes.

 

According to Event Organiser Lesego Lala, the fun walk was a huge success. The turnout also exceeded the City’s expectations, Lala said. She said there was also a range of other activities aimed at promoting healthy living.

 

“Everybody who took part enjoyed every minute of it. From the City’s perspective, it was an easy way to reach out to the community and educate them about healthy lifestyles and other aspects of life,” she said.

 

Ward 125 Councillor Solly Mogase and City Health Department officials shared healthy tips with the community. These included information on the prevention and treatment of diabetes, high blood pressure and HIV-AIDS. There were also stalls where residents could be screened and tested for chronic illnesses and other diseases.

 

Among the exhibitors who were present at the event were various City departments and entities – including Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) and Disaster Management Services – and leading bank Nedbank. Department of Home Affairs officials were also on hand to give advice to pensioners and youth on how to apply for the new smart cards and passports.

 

Councillor Mogase urged the community to adopt a healthy lifestyle so they could live longer.