Source: Club champions healthy ageing in Nkulumane – herald
Eliah Saushoma, elisaushoma@gmail.com
A GROUP of elderly women from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb is proving that age is no barrier to healthy living, using regular exercise to improve their wellbeing while supporting Government efforts to promote preventive healthcare and active ageing.
The women, who belong to the Qinisani Fitness Club, have become an inspiration in their community after transforming their lives through structured fitness programmes. Their commitment to healthy living was recently recognised when they received medals for championing wellness and active ageing.
Speaking after receiving the award, the club’s founder, Mrs Yonah Mpofu, said she started the initiative after noticing that many elderly people were living sedentary lifestyles despite the well-documented health benefits of regular physical activity.
“As we grow older, our bodies naturally undergo changes, but regular exercise remains one of the most effective ways of maintaining good health. That inspired me to invite other elderly people so that we could exercise together,” she said.
Mrs Mpofu said the club started with just 11 members and initially exercised without professional guidance until a young volunteer from the community offered to train them on proper exercise techniques.
“We now have a structured timetable and meet every Monday, Tuesday and Friday between 7AM and 8.30AM,” she said.
Mrs Mpofu said the programme has produced remarkable health improvements among members.
“One of our members who suffered a stroke is now able to walk again because of these exercises. She continues to inspire us. We have also seen improvements among members who had high blood pressure and diabetes,” she said.
Mrs Mpofu urged elderly Zimbabweans to embrace physical activity, saying regular exercise helps reduce the burden of preventable illnesses and expensive medical treatment.
She said members also encourage one another to adopt healthier eating habits by consuming more vegetables, fruits and white meat while reducing sugar, fatty foods, fizzy drinks and excessive red meat.
Club member Mrs Rebecca Nyoni (54) said joining the fitness group had transformed her health.“Before joining Qinisani Fitness Club, I struggled with high blood pressure. After only two months of exercising, my blood pressure has stabilised and is now normal,” she said.
Mrs Nyoni said the club also promotes healthy traditional diets, encouraging members to eat pumpkins, dried vegetables, mopane worms and other nutritious local foods.
“I encourage other elderly women to join us. Regular exercise keeps us fit and healthy and reduces our dependence on medication because many diseases can be prevented through physical activity,” she said.
The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, who officiated at the awards ceremony, commended the women for taking charge of their health and supporting Government’s preventive healthcare agenda.
She said the initiative aligns with Vision 2030, which seeks to build an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society.
“A healthy nation is essential for achieving Vision 2030 because economic development depends on healthy citizens. Communities cannot fully participate in development if they are burdened by preventable illnesses,” said Minister Ncube.
She said Government recognises the important role senior citizens continue to play in national development and remains committed to promoting programmes that enhance their health, dignity and social inclusion.
“Development is not only about roads, buildings and infrastructure. Development is also about healthy people,” said the minister.
She noted that the Qinisani Fitness Club was doing more than promoting physical fitness by helping elderly peopleovercome loneliness and social isolation.
“By coming together regularly, encouraging one another, laughing together and exercising together, you are strengthening not only your bodies but also your emotional and mental wellbeing. You are reminding one another that growing older does not mean becoming inactive or forgotten,” said Minister Ncube.
She urged the club to expand its membership so that more elderly people across Bulawayo Province could benefit from the programme.
The minister described exercise as one of the most affordable and effective forms of preventive healthcare, saying every walk, stretch and aerobic session contributes to a healthier nation.
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