GoJozi healthy lifestyle programme a success

Started in 2012, the programme consists of multiple activities including aerobics, cycling, walking and soccer, and free health screening for diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Along with other health enthusiasts, the elderly were present at the Altrec Sports Complex for this year’s activities facilitated by non-profit organisation, Inner City Ambassadors, which uses sports to promote social cohesion among residents.

MMC for Health and Social Development, Nonceba Molwele said the regions also conducted similar small scale programmes every weekend to ensure a permanent culture of health and fitness.

“The mayor’s goal is for the exercises to help elongate life expectancy, promote healthy eating habits, reduce lifestyle diseases and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions resulting from avoidable ill health caused by bad lifestyle habits,” Molwele said.

She said they had expected an attendance of 2 000 residents who she encouraged to also initiate health clubs in their own areas.

Soweto’s young and aspirant professional cyclists of the Ratamogo Sports Development organisation commended the programme and said it was beneficial to the youth by preoccupying their spare time with exercise instead of directing their attention to drugs, alcohol and substance abuse. The organisation’s Sibusiso Vilakazi and Siyabonga Mthembu said with many youths unemployed and not productively engaged in society, the youth resorted to drugs particularly nyaope that was killing them and destroying families because addicts sold household assets to feed their drug habit.

“If the elderly can engage in sports, so should the youth,” said Vilakazi.

Some of the elderly engaged in soccer games using the opportunity as a way to prepare their teams for the Nelson Mandela Day Cup Competition scheduled to be held from 2 to 16 July.

Details: John Maluleke 011 025 9229.