In a bid to be seen and heard, the Body Beasts health and fitness centre in town participated in a peaceful digital demonstration last week.

The closure of the fitness industry has hit employers and employees hard as these companies are still not allowed to operate during the current level 3 lockdown.

On that day, members, employers and employees dressed in black and shared pictures of their peaceful demonstration on digital platforms.

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Magdaleen Botes, the owner of Body Beasts health and fitness (SPAR complex, Lydenburg), Body Beautique Gym (The Heads Shopping Centre, Lydenburg), Magdaleen Botes Sports Institute (Lydenburg) and Body Beautique Gym (Mokopane), told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that it has been five months and they need a confirmed date for their facilities to open.

“On August 15, when the Covid-19 TERS relief expires, jobs are at stake.”

She added that the demonstration was a success.

“We got a seat at the discussion table as FiTSA committee the next day. The following day, FiTSA was invited to be on the Zoom call with the Department of Sport and Recreation, as well as Planet Fitness and Virgin Active.”

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Botes is a member of FiTSA, a council that stands for independent gyms.

“If we do not get the definite date for the reopening of gyms this week from the department of sports, we will proceed and continue with our court case on August 19 in the High Court of the Western Cape against the government.

Adv Carlo Viljoen is representing our case with FiTSA as the applicant against the state.”
Botes said they also sent a letter documenting their plight directly to the presidency office. Acknowledgement of the letter was received and they await feedback.