Residents braved the cold weather to participate in the City of Johannesburg’s free bi-weekly Region A healthy lifestyle aerobics programme at Mayibuye Primary School on September 19.

The session marked the return of the city’s sport and recreation programme after its September 5 event at Rabie Ridge Stadium was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

Read more: Aerobics aimed at healthy lifestyle for locals

Despite the repeat of the chilly conditions, residents gathered for an energetic workout as the programme continues to move from ward to ward across Region A, encouraging communities to embrace physical activity and healthier lifestyles.

In attendance was Ivory Park Ward 177 resident and local fitness coach Matlhatsi Masilela, who encouraged residents to join the programme and make exercise part of their daily routines. “Aerobics is one of the healthiest things you can do. If you want to lose weight or just want to be active, join us. You should enjoy it.”

Masilela explained that she and fellow instructors, such as BonganiFit founder Bongani Bila, run additional training sessions during the week in Ivory Park, providing residents with opportunities to remain active beyond the city’s Saturday programme. “We train Monday to Thursday at a park in Ivory Park. [Bongani’s] the instructor, and I am an instructor as well,” she said. “We train on Fridays at Mpumelelo Clinic.

Residents should come and join us. We do it Monday to Friday, and on Saturday is the City of Johannesburg aerobics session. That means I go to the gym six days a week.”

Masilela also welcomed the city’s ongoing investment in community fitness initiatives, stating that more residents needed to be made aware of the programme. “It’s just a healthy lifestyle. You can come and be healthy like me. I’m glad that the city has introduced this programme. I know it has been going on for about eight years, but people don’t know about it, and I hope that by explaining this, more people will know about it.”

Also read: A free aerobics session for the community

The programme will continue across Region A in the coming months, with the next session scheduled for October 3 at Ya Rona Mall, followed by Riverside Mall on October 17, and Rabie Ridge Stadium on October 24.

In November, residents can join the programme at Kaalfontein Primary School on November 14, and Diepsloot Mall on November 28. The final session of the year is scheduled for December 5 at Busy Corner.

Residents interested in participating and receiving programme updates can join the City of Johannesburg’s WhatsApp group via the official link:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/C6IGH2mTU83GGyx0g9CHF1

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