Hundreds of people descended on Rotunda Park in Turffontein, south east of Johannesburg on Saturday 1 December to participate in the healthy lifestyle campaign marking the 30th Anniversary of World Aids Day.
Participants arrived early in the morning dressed in gym clothes to take part in the 5km walk.
Then it was time for instructors to take the enthusiastic crowd through two hours of aerobics. They kicked, moved, danced, stretched muscles and raised legs to rhythmic music. Dancers swayed their bodies to entertain the crowd and many took part in Indigenous Games.
Being active this way improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, regulates blood sugar and reduces weight, said Nonhlanhla Magwaza, Operation Manager Health Promotion in Region F.
Sixty five year old Harriet Mthembu agrees, saying she enjoys exercise and takes part in the daily aerobics class taking place at the park. “I have arthritis. However this does not deter me from being active. It actually pushes me to do more.”
Health workers also offered medical screening, including HIV tests, Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure. Held under the theme “Health in the hands of people”, the Healthy Lifestyle campaign seeks to encourage communities to engage in physical activities such as running, walking and eating healthy.
A number of city departments took part in the event including Citizen Relationship Management, Region F health promoters, Environmental Health, JMPD and private stakeholders such as the Anova Health Institute and the Gauteng Department of Sport and Recreation
We are saying, you can do it yourself without going to the gym, added Magwaza. The plan is to encourage residents to eat healthy, form exercise classes, and support groups to stay active she concluded.
Participating organisations were allocated stalls to promote their health-related services and products.
The city urges communities to utilise the variety of free recreational programmes it offers.
