Why I will be walking the talk – MMC Vondo

26 June 2015

 

With just over a month to go before thousands of walkers lace up their takkies and hit the streets of Johannesburg in the annual Discovery 702 Walk the Talk, the big question every participant has to answer is: “What are you walking for?”

 

Walking to raise funds for a charity or awareness about an issue is what this year’s Walk the Talk, which is backed by the City of Johannesburg, is all about.

 

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Social Development Councillor Chris Vondo says he will be walking to create awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and to draw attention to the City’s Go Jozi Healthy Lifestyle Programme.

 

“This year I’m walking my talk and creating awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and how small changes can make a massive difference in curbing non-communicable or lifestyle diseases and conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart ailments,” he says.

 

On Sunday July 26, more than 50 000 walkers will converge at the Marks Park Sports Club in Judith Road, Emmarentia, for the start of one of the biggest fun races in the country. The race will take walkers through the leafy suburbs of Johannesburg such as Emmarentia, Greenside, Parktown, Parkhurst, Parkwood, Westcliff and Parkview.

 

For those taking the 15km fun walk, their route will include the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge and Newtown. Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar says preparations are already in place to ensure the 2015 event runs smoothly.

 

“Hundreds of JMPD officers will be on duty along the routes on the morning of the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk to ensure traffic is well managed so the participants can enjoy a safe and successful event,” says Supt Minnaar.

 

He adds that several streets will be closed to vehicular traffic to ensure the safety of the participants and that of members of the public.

 

“We will have a dry run on Friday June 16 as part of the planning,” he says.

 

Participants have free parking in the Botanical Gardens and at Roosevelt High School. The City’s Go Jozi Programme encourages healthy eating choices and regular exercise to maintain physical fitness and mental health.