Community welcomed outdoor gym and sports field in KwaMbonambi
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha officially handed over a fully equipped outdoor gym to the community of Slovo Township and a sports field to the community of Nzalabantu in KwaMbonambi on Sunday, 26 April 2015.
This project is part of government’s programme to promote a active and healthy lifestyle within communities. The objective of this project is to encourage people to live active and healthy lifestyles in order to reduce lifestyle related diseases as well as addressing social ills.
MEC Sibhidla-Saphetha said that, “government wants to see it communities living healthy lifestyles to promote longevity. Government wants to see the youth healthy and participating in all sporting codes in schools as well as competing in provincial sporting activities.
These outdoor gym parks and sporting fields allow people to have access to gym facilities closer to their homes. We know that many people cannot afford to pay for gym memberships and they may not be of easy access to the community. This is part of the integrated strategy of the Province to create active and healthy communities.’’
At the official opening trained instructors provided guidelines and demonstrated how one should use the machines and ensure that the gym equipment is used safely so as to prevent injuries. The department also handed over sporting equipment’s to schools and local soccer teams to encourage sporting activities within schooling hours.
The Mayor of uMfolozi Municipality, Cllr S.W Mgenge stated that “the municipality encourages the community to look after the facility and protect it from being vandalized so that it can be utilised by the next generation. The gym caters for everyone in the community and we want to see it being utilised to the maximum advantage”.
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha and the Mayor for uMfolozi Local Municipality, Cllr S.W Mgenge trying out one of the gym equipment at the official opening of Slovo outdoor gym.
Mayor, Cllr Smangaliso Mgenge, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha, Mr M. Mbuyazi, Mr M.V Mthethwa and Mr C. Mbuyazi unveils the plaque at the new sport field in Nzalabantu.