Looking to get fit and enjoy a day out with the family? Online registration for the Annual Big Walk and National Recreation Day has opened.
Registration for both events opened on 1 August and will conclude on 7 September.
National Recreation Day (NRD) is scheduled to take place on Friday, 5 October and the Annual Big Walk on Sunday, 7th October 2018 across all the nine provinces.
Those looking to participate in the Big Walk can register on the Department of Sport and Recreation’s website using the link https://www.srsa.gov.za/register/1299/id, while those looking to partake in the NRD can register on https://www.srsa.gov.za/register/1300/id.
NRD is a result of a Cabinet declaration of 2014, which deems the first Friday of October as National Recreation Day. The day grants all South Africans an opportunity to get involved in active recreation activities.
“In line with the Cabinet decision, the 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?,” said Minister Tokozile Xasa.
She stressed that the campaign seeks to change the behaviour of all South Africans and attitude towards healthy living and physical activity.
According to the Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health of World Health Organisation (WHO), physical inactivity is now identified as the forth leading risk factors for global mortality.
This as physical inactivity levels are rising in many countries with major implications for the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the general health of the population worldwide.
The 2014 WHO NCD Country Profile estimates that 43% of deaths in South Africa are associated with NCDs.
According to the 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.
The Big Walk and National Recreation Day takes place in the year which marks the centenary celebrations of Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu.
“Based on both these iconic centenary celebrations, 2018 has been marked with a multiplicity of activities in dedication to their sacrifices for the attainment of a democratic, non-discriminatory South Africa.
“Sport and Recreation South Africa dedicated number of events to recognising both freedom stalwarts’ selfless dedications to the liberation struggle. The events selected include the Annual Big Walk and National Recreation Day,” said the department.
The Big Walk will take place at Fountains Valley Resort, while NDR will take place at the Union Buildings, both located in Pretoria. - SAnews.gov.za
