Today, the Comrades Marathon Association will offer a donation to the MEC for Health in support of the Healthy and Active Communities programme ahead of running the Comrades Marathon in May this year.
The Comrades Marathon Association will hand over a cheque of R10 000 at a function to be held today, Tuesday, 19 July 2011, at 15h00 in Pietermaritzburg: Comrades House, Cornwell Street. Journalists are invited.
In April the MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo announced that he would be championing the promotion of healthy and active communities. At a meeting with business people the MEC challenged business people to ensure that they create healthy and active workplaces. To demonstrate his belief and commitment, the MEC ran and finished the 2011 Comrades Marathon.
“In all communities there are public spaces and places that can be used by all members, young and old, to engage in simple exercises to the onset of preventable chronic diseases of lifestyles such as hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes. These diseases have reached epidemic stage and are prematurely taking away bread winners from their families,” the MEC told business people at the breakfast meeting.
The MEC plans to lead a programme that targets school children and the elderly in community settings. The programme is based on the promotion of physical activity, good nutrition, responsible sexual behaviour and reduction of tobacco and alcohol use.
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
