The KwaZulu-Natal MECs for Health and Sports and Recreation, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo and Ms Weziwe Thusi, together with eThekwini’s Deputy Mayor Ms Nomvuzo Shabalala will this Sunday, 7 August 2011, join the Durban Stars in promoting healthy living during the Corporate Challenge games to be held at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“Compared to countries such as the USA and Portugal, South Africa is already losing more people in the workforce age group (35 to 64) due to cardiovascular disease. These premature deaths have a major impact on the economy of the country” says the MEC Dhlomo
The Corporate Challenge games are organised by the Durban Starts to bring together government departments and corporate in the spirit of interaction, sport and enjoyment. The aim is to promote an integrated and partnership-based healthy lifestyle promotion and chronic disease prevention platform that is motivating citizens to make healthier lifestyle choices to improve their quality of life, and avoid the most common, and largely preventable, chronic diseases – including cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, Type 2diabetes and some types of cancer.
The MEC says; “You may have heard the prognosis; if the chronic diseases of lifestyles epidemic in this country continues unchecked, this generation of young people may be the first in history to live sicker and die younger than their parents’ generation. The magnitude of the epidemic means that everyone has a role to play in its reversal, especially because the solution requires policy and environmental changes on many levels.”
Other activities will include the Department of Health’s screening services, the Old Mutual’s wellness programme; where participants will be screened for various ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes and body mass indices and others. Mercedes Benz will showcase their cars and Ithala Bank will introduce its Mascot (uSgwili) programme. The MEC for Health will also use the event to announce the roll-out of a healthy and active communities programme as well as to call on the private sector to start workplace programmes.
Journalists are invited to the activities of the day. The details are as follows;
Date: 7 August 2011 (Sunday)
Time: 9h00 (Speeches at 14h00)
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Please RSVP to chris.maxon@kznhealth.gov.za or reception@durbanstars.co.za it is important!
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
