Impendulo Primary School pupil Baphiwe Matodlana is happy to have helped his school take third place in the 6km Move for Your Health fun run held in Newlands earlier this month.
They took part in the category for schools with an enrolment of over 400 pupils and also won R4 000 prize money, which will help with their future sporting activities.
The Move for your Health event, organised by the Sports Science Institute of SA (SSISA), attracted a large number of pupils to the school’s mass participation contest.
Baphiwe,13, says the race was about more than just crossing the finish line. It was also about improving their health and fitness.
“I have always enjoyed running, whether its long distance or sprints, because it helps me to stay focused,” said the Grade 6 pupil.
Ten schools took part in the Move for Your Health campaign, which has been running for 15 years.
The campaign is especially focused on children’s physical exercise as well as encouraging them to make healthy life choices.
For the past eight years, Vukani and its sister papers have partnered with the campaign, publishing a series of SSISA articles, aimed at improving training methods, promoting healthy eating and upgrading overall lifestyles.
Grade five pupil Alutho Diamond, 13, says as someone who enjoys physical activities he felt comfortable doing the 6km race and would like to encourage more children to get active.
“I tried to run as fast as I could to get closer to the lead but it was still fun and I will do it again,” he said.
For 10-year-old Asanda Khanyi, who is in Grade 5, the race was easy and she was prepared to put in a few more miles.
As proof of Impendulo Primary School’s commitment to getting their pupils active and moving for their health, this is the third time they have been part of the campaign and promise to continue supporting it.
Sports coordinator Sandi Matodlana says their school lacks resources and the money will be used for equipment, which will encourage more pupils to take part in sporting activities.
“Our school lacks in many ways so taking part in such campaigns also plays a part in promoting diversity.
“It’s good to start this early to make the children part of something and be able to compete with schools from other areas,” said Matodlana.
He said the school puts too much emphasis on physical education and the Move for Your Health campaign also pushes for healthy living among pupils.