By Lekereni Chinkhota

Salima, April 16, Mana:

Salima District Council has reaffirmed its commitment to continue organizing aerobics as a preventive measure of non-communicable diseases, as part of spearheading healthy living and ensuring that residents are active and productive,    

Speaking on Monday on behalf of Salima District Commissioner, Light Burton, on the sidelines of the aerobics session, underscored the importance of being active through exercising and expressed that as one way of contributing to the drive Salima District Council would be facilitating and mobilizing citizens to take part in the sessions.

He said that, “We are happy because the citizens are willing to participate in these activities. We can see that various stakeholders of the district came to participate with us today which shows how committed they are.”

Burton said with the rise in numbers of non-communicable diseases it was important to stay active, hence a continuation of these aerobics would contribute towards the wellbeing of citizens.

He added that since the inception of the aerobics the numbers of people participating continue rising which was encouraging and revealed that they are anticipating to be conducting the activity every fortnight in order to gain maximum benefits from the exercises.

A businessman and a participant in the aerobics, Ronald Tiyesepo, said the aerobics are a good idea because there is no cost attached to the activity taking into consideration that gym fee was expensive therefore to have such an activity at no cost is highly commendable.

He said the skyrocketing cases of non-communicable diseases was a cause for concern therefore being active would assist in preventing the diseases.

“Through these activities, we are able to socialize and get acquainted with one another, this will also assist to have a productive community, the spirit being instilled in us is that we have to be active and exercising frequently," Tiyesepo said.

He said during the sessions there is also sharing of ideas among various stakeholders which would contribute to the development of the district.

“Development needs health people and our businesses can thrive if we are fit. Let us use this opportunity to share our talents and business ideas,” Tiyesepo said.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Salima Police, Rebecca Ndiwate, one of the organizers expressed enthusiasm with the turn up of the people who attended the sessions.

She said that, "It is encouraging to see people from different backgrounds patronizing these sessions, it will further be encouraging if we continue seeing a huge crowd coming to participate in these events, because the goal is to have as many people as possible during these sessions."

Ndiwate revealed that they have further planned to be conducting town marches, clean up exercises, volleyball, football and netball matches.

The event was graced by Member of Parliament for Salima Central Constituency, Gerald Kapiseni Phiri and District Commissioner, James Mwenda among other dignitaries. 

Participants were trained by officers from Parachute Battalion.