MEC Sithole-Moloi launches Active Fridays
MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, has encouraged KZN citizens to embrace active lifestyle as part of daily activities in order to improve their health and wellness status.
MEC Sithole-Moloi was speaking during the launch of the Active Fridays Programme at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, 27/01/2017.
The event was organised by the Department of Sport and Recreation as part of the Healthy Lifestyles Programme. The Active Fridays programme is one the new activities introduced by MEC Sithole-Moloi as part of her efforts to ensure that programmes implemented on the ground have the desired impact by changing people’s lives.
Sithole-Moloi, who was accompanied by Umsunduzi Municipality Mayor Themba Njilo, joined “Fitness Bunny” Sbahle Mpisane and local instructors in a marathon aerobics session involving hundreds of residents from different parts the Umgungudlovu District who graced the launch event.
Addressing the crowd, which included school children, youth and elderly, Sithole-Moloi said the aim of Active Fidays is to encourage all citizens of KwaZulu-Natal to look after their bodies through exercise, playing sport and eating healthy food.
She said obesity – which is often caused by unhealthy diet and poor lifestyle choices - is a serious challenge facing the whole of South Africa as it leads the increase of lifestyle diseases.
“We want everyone to ensure that every Friday is a day where we are all active. Try some activities even if it means doing some short exercise sessions that will make a difference. The Department has built outdoor gyms in many areas and we should use those facilities to keep fit. We should embrace active lifestyles as part of building a healthy society,” she said.
MEC Sithole-Moloi added that she will also engage with her Education counterpart to ensure that exercising and sport become an integral part of school activities.
Mayor Njilo also echoed Sithole-Moloi’s sentiments and thanked senior citizens for being exemplary to young people about active lifestyles. Many senior citizens have organised themselves into luncheon clubs where they conduct activities that keep their minds and bodies active.
Sithole-Moloi said the Department will organise monthly activations in different parts of the Province in order to ensure that the programme is sustainable and influences people to make positive dietary and lifestyle choices.