POLOKWANE – The purpose of the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s programme is to encourage social cohesion and nation-building among South Africans. Attendees had the choice of participating in the 15 km, 10 km or 5 km walk.
The Big Walk programme was established by the National Department of Sport and Recreation. The initiative was prompted by the increase in obesity and the high number of heart attacks occurring among South Africans due to unhealthy and stress-related lifestyles. The Department of Sport and Recreation therefore identified walking as an effective form of exercise to improve the cardio-vascular system which involves the heart, blood vessels and lungs.
According to Jermina Kaka, Communication, Marketing and Publications Officer for the department, one of the main reasons for hosting the Big Walk is to inspire people to start making a habit of walking.
She says by encouraging people to walk more often, they are creating a desire for a healthy lifestyle as walking is a good form of exercise and helps relieve stress, especially in adults.
But it is not just the public that were encouraged to participate, says Kaka, MEC of the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Onicca Mokgobedi-Moloi, encouraged public officials from her department as well as other provincial departments to join the initiative… public officials from all five the districts in Limpopo took part in the walk.
She underlined the fact that it is not only Limpopo hosting the Big Walk, but that it formed part of a national programme, all on the same day.
She says their department is satisfied with the turnout but hope to see even more people participating in next year’s Big Walk programme.
Kaka says for those who missed out on this year’s Big Walk programme, the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture encourages them to join in the fun next year but in the meantime, she urges everyone to take part in social actitivities that promote health and fitness in the lives of the people of Limpopo.
