Sports and Recreation opens online registration for Big Walk and National Recreation Day

Big Walk and National Recreation Day online registration opens

2018 marks the Centenary celebrations of ‘Tata’ Nelson Mandela birthday under a theme: “Be The Legacy, Celebrating the birth of a world icon and a life of service”. This year also marks the Centenary year celebrations of Mama Albertina Sisulu – the doyen of South Africa’s struggle for freedom and democracy under the theme, Albertina Sisulu: A Woman of Fortitude.

Based on both these iconic centenary celebrations, 2018 has been marked with multiplicity of activities in dedication to their sacrifices for their attainment of a democratic, non-discriminatory South Africa. These hand-picked activities in recognising both renowned freedom stalwarts, commenced back in March 2018 and scheduled to continue throughout the year.

Sport and Recreation South Africa dedicated number of events in recognising both freedom stalwart’s selfless dedications to the liberation struggle. Amongst those events selected, included as well is the annual Big Walk and National Recreation day. Both these events are pillars of Sport and Recreation South Africa “I choose to be active” campaign which places emphasis on healthy lifestyle. 

According to the Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health of World Health Organisation (WHO: 2010) Physical inactivity is now identified as the forth leading risk factors for global mortality. Physical inactivity level is rising in many countries with major implications for the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the general health of the population worldwide.

The World Health Organisation:  NCD Country Profile, 2014 estimates that 43% of deaths in South Africa are associated with the NCD, and the risk factors associated with NCD its physical inactivity and obesity. According to Healthy Living Alliance almost 70% of women and 39% of men are overweight in South Africa and the country has the highest obesity rate in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Universal Declaration of Human Rights (article 24) states that all people have basic human right to recreation activities. National Sport and Recreation Plan reinforces this notion that recreation plays a pivotal role in improving the health and wellbeing of an individual, creating liveable communities and promoting social cohesion. Informed by the National Development Plan (NDP) vision 2030, National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP) envisage that by 2030 fifty percent (50%) of South Africans will be participating in sport and active recreation.

It is against this background that active recreation is at the core of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) programmes. Importantly, in 2014 Cabinet declared the first Friday of October each year as National Recreation Day granting all South Africans an opportunity to get involved in active recreation activities.

In line with the Cabinet decision, my Sport and Recreation Department in 2015 conceptualised and started “I Choose to be Active” campaign which is a call to action for all South Africans to engage in physical activity including myself hence, I will ask everyone this question: - “How about you?”. Importantly the campaign seeks to change the behaviour of all South Africans and attitude towards healthy living and physical activity”, stated Minister TokoxileXasa.

This year (2018) National Recreation Day (NRD) is scheduled to take place on Friday, 5th October and the Annual Big Walk on Sunday, 7th October 2018 across all nine provinces with details outlined as follows:

Note that registration for both activities is free and will be taking place from 1st August – 7th September 2018, interested participants can access the registration link on Sport and Recreation South Africa website: www.srs.gov.za.

Enquirires:
Mickey FusiModisane
Tel: 012 304 5159
Cell: 082 992 0101
E-mail: mickey@srsa.gov.za 

Vuyo Mhaga
Tel: 012 304 5239
Cell: 076 636 5193
E-mail: Vmhaga@srsa.gov.za