26 Jan 2016

In the wee hours of Saturday morning a hype of excitement ensued as hundreds of fitness fanatics draped in white T-shirts and sports gear walked for health from Tlokweng the Border Post to Botswana National Productivity Centre (BNPC) premises in an effort to improve fitness. 

The walk-a-thon, which is commonly known as a sponsored walk, was organised by the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) in an effort to promote its products, healthy living and healthy eating. 

“In this particular time of the year when everyone has made their resolutions on leading healthy lifestyles this year it is important to give them a boost and ensure that they know which healthy foods to eat,” said BAMB finance manager, Mr Elvis Ncaagae in an interview.

Mr Ncaagae said the event was meant to promote organic products sold at BAMB which were produced under the natural environment and therefore pose less health risks. 

He added that healthy exercise coupled with eating healthy foods in the right quantities creates a healthy nation.
   He said participants of the walk-a-thon opted to walk for either 20km or 10km and participated in aerobics session and a Zumba session and afterwards went through health screening.

“We were doing this for the first time and given its success we might end up having to do it every year in January,” he said.
   

He said his organisation was a parastatal which was mandated to provide a market for locally grown crops such as cereals, pulses and oilseeds by ensuring that there was enough supply for the nation at affordable prices. He added that  they would continue to create awareness of the nutritive value of these foods
   

Caught up in the midst of fitness fanatics was Ms Julie Moloi who also exuded excitement at the initiative, saying it had helped her to start the year on a high fitness note.
   “I was doing this basically for health reasons, I have been an exercise fanatic since my university days and to date 20 years or so down the line I am still keeping up. As you can see me, I am healthy.

 I absolutely have no problem with my body in fact when I take some time without exercising my body starts complaining, I have made exercise a part of my lifestyle,” she said.
    Ms Moloi, who completed the BAMB  20km walk- a-thon, said she does not perceive exercise as tedious, adding that it has become an integral part of her life as it gives her energy.

 “I never do crash diets, I eat every meal and I watch my portions, I also eat organic foods too,” she said.

She also said it was important for parents, particularly those who live in cities and towns, to desist from leading sedative lifestyles and adopt a healthy lifestyle and also to drill it in their children to lead healthy lifestyles as it has enormous health benefits. Ends