Thousands attend KZN’s Big Walk and Recreation Day

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KwaZulu-Natal capital, Pietermaritzburg came alive this past week-end as the province’s Department of Sport and Recreation staged two major fun filled events to encourage active and healthy lifestyles.

The activities began on Friday morning with the commemoration of National Recreation Day (NRD) at a well-attended community event at Mehlokazulu Secondary School in Imbali Township, Pietermaritzburg. It was part of the national activities to mark the first Friday of October which was declared National Recreation Day by national government two years ago.

The aim is to encourage all citizens to live active and healthy lifestyles as the country is facing a major problem of obesity and lifestyle diseases. On the day provinces engage in simultaneous sport activities including fun-walks and aerobics to encourage people to adopt active lifestyles. The day’s activities included a 5km walk, mass aerobics and various indigenous games organized by partners, LoveLife.

The newly built Umsunduzi Athletics stadium, in Pietermaritzburg had a taste of hosting a major event when over 3000 people participated in the National Big Walk, on Sunday 07 October. The event had a 5km and10 km fun walks around the CBD, as well as fun activities for the youth and senior citizens.

Acting Head of KZN Department of Sport and Recreation, Ntokozo Chonco, applauded the people for participating in the initiative.

“The aim of this event is to encourage our citizens to make walking and exercising part of their daily lives. You must not only walk during this day but you must do it as part of your regular activities. This is the message from our Premier Willies Mchunu and MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi,” he said.

To add to the fun, most of the participants stayed on until the last minute of the event to stand a chance to claim one of many lucky draw prizes donated by our generous sponsors.

 The biggest winners of the day were Ms Noluvo Willi of Elandskop, who walked away with a 32 cm flat screen TV and Babalwa Malevu, a school pupil at Ekhwezi Primary who won a microwave oven for her home.

Many participants in both events said they were excited and would definitely take part next year.

Government encourages potential participants to register online when registration opens ahead of the events taking place.

Venues and registration details for next year will be announced in time on mass media including social media platforms.

Vision

A healthy, winning, and socially cohesive province through sport and recreation.

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