The Bill Jardine Stadium in the heart of Industria, Region B, was buzzing with activities for 180 people who attended the #CyaZeeVocaVoca healthy lifestyle programme recently.
The programme is an effort by the Department of Recreation in collaboration with the City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services (EMS), Joburg Water, the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
“It’s been a well-run programme seeing the community turn out in large numbers to exercise and learn about living a healthy lifestyle is encouraging and motivating. This should be a monthly activity in our neighbourhood,” said Musa Mahlangu, a teenager from Region B who participated in aerobics.
Sport and recreation programmes promote an active lifestyle, improved quality of life, and enhanced physical fitness, mental health, and psychological freedom from distress and hostility. Mass participation programmes instil the pleasure of being active among people of all ages and support long-term healthy behaviour, such as healthy eating habits, exercise, and pleasant recreation time.
With the Covid-19 pandemic being the new reality of our society, the Sport and Recreation team responded impressively in ensuring that steps were put in place to limit its spread without compromising the delivery of services. The day was packed with exhilarating workout activities, with players participating in karate, cricket, hockey, touch rugby, table tennis, aerobics, and boxing.
“We are honoured to be a part of this programme; the children are eager to learn and engage in our boxing exercises, as well as to learn more about discipline. We urge young people to join in on sports and dedicate themselves to learn more about healthy lifestyles as it is the best decision one can make about their health,” said Dylan Thomas, an elderly man who coaches the youth in Industria how to play basketball.
The #CyaZeeVocaVoca campaign aims to motivate citizens to live active, healthy lifestyles. The objective is to boost participation in sports and recreational activities while also enhancing the quality of support and information available on leading a healthy life.
“It has been a remarkable initiative by the City to get the community out and about and exercising,” said Siphosethu Ngwenya, a young cricket player.
“With Covid-19 dominating our lives for the past year and a half, we must learn to live with it and defeat it by developing strong and robust immune systems,” he said.
Written by Ntombifuthi Junerose Nkosi
21/11/2021