Yes to healthy living

HADDON. City of Johannesburg (COJ) together with Ward 55 Cllr Rashieda Landris, Social Development, Urban Management, EMS and Johannesburg Metro Police on September 25, hosted a Fun Health Walk Day from Haddon to Bellavista, promoting healthy living in the south.

While some people thought leading a healthy lifestyle was expensive and out of their reach as they can not afford organic food, health promoters at the event dispelled all of their misconceptions.

COJ Regional Health Manager, Oupa Montsioa said: “We chose Ward 55 because it is one of many communities that struggle with drug abuse, violence in families and gangsterism. So we came to say that instead of people sitting and vegetating in these lifestyles it would be better that they joined us for an exercise.”

Also available at the event were testing stations where attendees tested for HIV, hypertension and diabetes. There was a male circumcision station as well.

This health initiative was launched three years ago at Wembley Stadium as part of the City’s 2014 vision to be a World Class City through healthy citizens.

Parents and their children turned up in numbers to find out more about how they could best adapt to living healthy and what constitutes a healthy diet.

“We’ve been to many health walks already and we’ve learned that when you walk every day you will become healthy and also lose weight,” said Kasey Valentine who attends Voorbrand Primary School.

Forest Hill Primary School learner Kayleen Slimmerts said that to her, health has become very important as it strengthens her body and has helped her to reduce the amount of sweeties that she eats!

Although, the two youngsters who were enjoying their school holidays say that what makes them love to be part of the health walks organised by the City is that they also get to walk for those who can’t walk for themselves.

Ward 55 Clr Rashieda Landris said, “We’re working towards encouraging both young and old to lead a healthy life and also to abstain from any sort of substance abuse.”

Adding that they wanted to raise health awareness in areas where there are social challenges. “I’ve learned that together with the health department, promoters and clinics, we can actually combat lifestyle dieases and unhealthy living.”

Landris gave thanks to all officials who participated to make the Health Walk a success.