21 Nov 2022

Seepapitso Senior School Class of 86 on Saturday hosted an event to help each other in leading healthy lives and  address different life challenges.

In an interview with BOPA, the event’s organising chairperson, Mr Tshepiso Peter Motsilanyane said non-communicable diseases were on the rise, hence their idea to host the health awareness event.

“Apart from non-communicable diseases, there are different challenges in life, some of which end up affecting our mental health, we therefore congregated here to help each other in overcoming all these,” Mr Motsilanyane added.

He said all of them were above 50 years and more likely to be affected by different diseases, noting that this was a wake up call not only for the group members, but the nation at large.

He said they had invited BOCAIP, who conducted health screens on different illnesses such as high blood pressure as well as HIV testing and counselling, and also delivered a presentation on mental health, touching on the challenges that may lead to the illness.

Mr Motsilanyane also noted that mostly affected people end up indulging in drugs and alcohol abuse and eventually abusing others.

“We were encouraged to open up when we encounter challenges in life and avoid indulging in alcohol and drug abuse as a solution,” he said, adding that they were also taught how to identify those affected by mental health, as that would be the first step to assisting them.

BOCAIP, he said, had highlighted that studies had shown that men were the most affected by mental health, which eventually led to violence at home, noting that communities had to work together to address such.

He said they also did aerobics, koi, tag of war as well as egg and spoon races, further highlighting that this was meant to show members as well as Batswana, the strategies they could employ in an effort to keep healthy.

Mr Motsilanyane said they discussed different topics such as farming, where they encouraged members to venture into farming to feed the nation and eventually contribute to the economy.

He said they also motivated each other on investment opportunities, locally and internationally, adding that they also addressed some issues that affected women.

Working together, he said, was vital in attaining desired results, urging Batswana to come together in an effort to achieve those that individuals could not attain working alone.

“Team work pays, we should not rely on government for everything. We can achieve a lot working together,” he said.

A group member, who led the exercise session, Mr Daniel Letshelaphala said it was important to exercise regularly to keep healthy, noting that most non-communicable diseases could be addressed through exercise.

Mr Letshelaphala said exercising should be part of one’s daily life, noting that apart from going to the gym, one could walk or jog.

“It is important to exercise different parts of the body such as strengthening the heart, lungs and removing unwanted substances in the body as well as strengthening muscles,” he said.

He urged Batswana to take responsibility for their health, noting that health started with each individual not the government.

“Life expectancy has reduced due to different illnesses that could be addressed by regular exercise.

Let us take our health seriously,” he added. The event was held under the theme; Our Health, Our Wealth. ENDS