The channel will air on DStv on channel 199 for the next four months and is set to offer diverse, entertaining and original homegrown content on subjects such as nutrition, health and fitness, human rights, youth sexuality, HIV and TB, as well as consumer and gender rights.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi were the esteemed guest speakers at the event, with comedian Joey Rasdien acting as master of ceremonies.
Motsoaledi took to the stage to give an enthusiastic talk about the various health and medical challenges faced by South Africans on a daily basis, citing numerous non-communicable diseases which are out of control in the country.
“We generally recognise four of these diseases,” said Motsoaledi.
“[The first is] chronic heart diseases associated with high blood pressure, which in Gauteng province alone, has grown by 60 000 people per annum.
“Second is diabetes, then cancer and, lastly, chronic lung diseases. What causes these diseases? It is us, we are responsible for these illnesses because of the lifestyles we are living.”
He stated that the biggest threat to our health was smoking, and also mentioned the United Nations goal of completely eliminating the habit all over the world by 2040. He also discussed future plans by the department to put more emphasis on limiting where people can smoke to further discourage partaking in this destructive behaviour.
Other negative lifestyle choices highlighted by the minister included alcohol abuse, high sugar intake and an excess of salt in our diets.
In line with observing World Aids Day, Goodlife Network kicked off its bespoke health and lifestyle content with a revealing documentary called Finding Others – a personal account of HIV activist Pholokgolo Ramothwala coming to terms with his HIV-positive diagnosis.
The evening concluded with the comical Rasdien conducting a quick Q and A session with the minister and the deputy president, which provided some light-hearted insight into the lives of these two influential men.
Details: www.soulcity.org.za
