Young and old health and sports enthusiasts in Alexandra were the envy of their inactive counterparts when they took to the streets at the council’s Go Jozi Health Life Style Street Fair Programme.
The event, which was held at the Altrec Sports Complex, was also conducted in other regions as part of the city’s plan to improve residents’ quality of life and life expectancy by tackling obesity, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity.
The activities were a 10km bike race, 5km walk and run, aerobics, games of basketball, baseball, cricket and soccer. There were screenings for diabetes, hypertension, cancer and women’s health – all accompanied by live entertainment.
Some agencies were also present selling products and services.
The walk and run went through major routes in Eastbank and Tsutsumani, with most of the participants who made it back from the race then enjoying aerobic exercises and others sports to help them shed their flab.
The emergency management services were on site with ambulances – but there were no incidents requiring their intervention.
Nomsa Nkosi, programme co-ordinator, said the city wanted the activities to be conducted regularly, and this would require residents’ buy-in through their participation. She said the council encouraged residents, local non-profit, faith-based and traditional organisations to own the programme as it was for their benefit.
The winner of the race, cyclist Philip Tshoma (24), said there was a need for residents to undergo a mind shift if they were to own the programme.
“Most of them regard soccer as the only sport and disregard other physical activities which [only required] the desire to get up and go – walking and running are simple, natural events which everyone can and should do to improve their healthy lifestyle, any time of day,” he concluded.
Details: Joburg City Council 011 492 7160.
