Recently the elderly people met at Ha-Tshisele village in Thohoyandou to walk to the Royal Gardens in Nandoni, Limpopo. The aim of the event was to promote walking as a healthy way to fight age-related diseases like sugar diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

“The king should make this walk a weekly event, as some of us really need this kind of exercise. Even though it was not easy for me to walk the entire 10km, I pushed myself up until to the end as I know that at the end I will be the one who will reap the benefits,” said Maria Munyai (71), one the grannies who took part in the walk.

More than 10 000 local residents joined the event, which was mostly attended by older people as children were at school

“It is painful and fun at the same time. If they call us to do this again next week I will definitely participate, as to me it will be a rare exercise,” added Munyai.

The famous walk is organised as a form of heritage month celebrations in the Vhembe area.

Health benefits of exercise

I believe that it will help me a lot to lose some fat, as I have gained a lot of weight and it is going to put me at risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.” – Dzumbululo Muanalo

“The walk is what I needed, as to me it’s another form of exercise. I believe that it will help me a lot to lose some fat, as I have gained a lot of weight and it is going to put me at risk of high blood pressure and heart disease,” said Dzumbululo Muanalo (34), one of the people who participated in the walk.

During the walk paramedics and professional nurses were also present to help those who struggled to get to the end because of medical conditions.

After the walk the Vha-Venda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana said: “Walking is good for health, it is good for one’s body. It is a good thing seeing so many of my people forming part of the walk. I am also happy seeing that among the people who participated in the walk, there are a lot of old people.”

The walkers were joined by Communications Minister Faith Muthambi, local celebrities and two Muvhango actors. – Health-e News