Big Walk and National Recreation Day online registration opens
2019 marks 25 years of celebrating Freedom and Democracy’ and also commemorate 65th Anniversary of the Women’s Charter thus giving South Africans an opportunity to focus on the advances the country has made since the dawn of democracy. The 1954 Women’s Charter in its call to action indicate that woman should join hands with men and remove social evils and obstacles hampering on progress of society.
Our 25 years of democracy further appeals to society moral conviction urging everyone to join hands in speeding up transformation across all platforms. Government remains committed to mobilising society and strengthening partnerships with civil society therefore addressing many challenges inclusive of societal social ills.
Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa continues to shape up society by raising awareness about positive and healthy lifestyle with the objective of reducing mortality rate and curbing the scourge of non- communicable diseases.
This coming October, a number of I choose 2B active activities or programmes have been identified as pillars that will be utilised in raising awareness to society on elements associated with a healthy lifestyle. As we continue celebrating our ‘25 years of Freedom and Democracy’, the annual Big Walk and National Recreation day are identified as some of those pillars.
According to the Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health of World Health Organisation (WHO: 2010) Physical inactivity is now identified as the fourth leading risk factors for global mortality. Physical inactivity level is rising in many countries with major implications for the prevalence of non -communicable 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, Department of Sports and Recreation South Africa started “I Choose 2B Active” campaign which is a call to action for all South Africans to engage in physical activity. The campaign seeks to change the behaviour of all South Africans and attitude towards healthy living.
This (2019) National Recreation Day (NRD) and Big Walk activities are scheduled to take place in October respectively with details as follows:
- Programme: National Recreation Day (NRD)
Date: Friday, 4th October 2019
Venue: Union Building Gardens
Commencement time: 08H00
NRD activities include: (Power box, Tai-Chi, Combat), Kiddies Corner
- Programme: Big Walk
Date: Sunday, 6th October 2019
Venue: Fountains Valley commencing at (Cnr. Molten and Hans Strydom)
Parking available at Fleur Park and Fleur Primary School.
NB: Park and ride has been arranged from Fountains Valley to Fleur Park to drop off participants after the walks.
Big walk activities: 5km, 10km, 15 km - post Walks aerobics session, Kiddies corner & open stage entertainment
Note that participation is free however, all participants need to register by visiting Sport and Recreation South Africa website: www.srsa.gov.za and registration opens on 2ND September 2019 until 35 000 participants have registered then registration closes.
The National Recreation Day (NRD) and Big Walk will also be taking place across all nine provinces on the 4th and 6th of October respectively. See details below:
|
Provinces |
The Big Walk Venues |
National Recreation Day: Venues |
Contact |
|
National |
Tshwane, Fountains Valley Resort |
Tshwane, Union Building |
Ms. Ntombise Mene 012 304 5169 Ms. Nonkosi Manyanda 012 304 5214 |
|
Eastern Cape |
Port Elizabeth |
Bisho, Bisho Stadium |
Ms. Ntutu Mvambo 043 492 0233 |
|
Free State |
Free State Athletics Stadium |
Mangaung Outdoor |
Ms. Tshegofatso Moses 051 407 3500 |
|
Gauteng |
Tshwane Fountains Valley Resort |
Kagiso Mogale City Westrand |
Fani Mokoena 083 704 5484 Oupa Tsotetsi 083 554 1976 |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Pietermaritzburg CBD PMB Athletics Track |
PMB Athletics Track |
Ms. Thuli Dladla 084 751 8771 |
|
Limpopo |
Polokwane, Old Peter Mokaba Rugby Fields |
Polokwane Rugby Field |
Ms. Mpho Ledwaba 082 215 5619 |
|
Mpumalanga |
Nelspruit, Mbombela Stadium |
Nelspruit, Mbombela Stadium |
Simon Legwati 013 766 5195 082 882 7643 |
|
Northern Cape |
Kimberly, Galeshewe Stadium |
Kimberly Galeshewe Stadium |
Owarego Baitsi 082 630 5381 |
|
North West |
Mmabatho, Mmabatho Stadium (MAFIKENG) |
Mmabatho, Mmabatho Stadium |
Ms. Revelation Masibi 018 392 4295 |
|
Western Cape |
Turfhall Softball Crawford |
Portlands Sport Complex Mitchells Plain |
Mr. Jody Urion 021 438 9629 |
NB: Participation is free however participants need to register on the Sport and Recreation South Africa website: www.srsa.gov.za Registration opens 2nd September 2019
Enquiries:
Mickey Fusi Modisane
Tel: 012 304 5159
Cell: 082 992 0101
E-mail: mickey@srsa.gov.za
Asanda Magaqa
Cell: 072 372 6808
E-mail: asandam@dac.gov.za
