First Lady Bongi Ngema-Zuma's Changing Diabetes initiative went into overdrive at the weekend. The Bongi Ngema-Zuma Foundation, of which she is a patron, attracted scores of people, as young and old participated in the 5km fun walk through the streets of Zamdela Township in Sasolburg, Free State, in commemoration of World Diabetes Day.
THERE are currently 6.5-million people living with diabetes in South Africa.
If nothing is done to curb the pandemic immediately, this number could double in 20 years - with many millions more at risk.
Diabetes has been declared a global health problem with 366-million people living with the disease, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Last month President Jacob Zuma's spouse Bongi Ngema-Zuma's Foundation took a related initiative - a community health awareness and education 5km walk to Zamdela township in Sasolburg in Free State to commemorate World Diabetes Day.
Speaking after the walk Ngema-Zuma said: "I am not diabetic, but I am prone to the disease because of my family. That is why I initiated the walk to encourage others to do the same.
"My mother lived with diabetes for more than 28 years before she passed on and she was never on insulin because she looked after herself very well," she said.
"One only needs to consider that an estimated 366-million people worldwide live with diabetes to appreciate the extent to which we are all required to do something to stop this pandemic," she said.
Simon Mofokeng, 55, was exhausted, but determined to walk despite his failing health. He has lived with type 2 diabetes for nearly 20 years.
In August Mofokeng lost two brothers within seven days to the silent killer. He also lost two sisters in 2007 to diabetes.
"My paternal family is prone to the disease," Mofokeng said.
His aunt became blind and she later died of the diseases. All her children are diabetics and one of them is also losing his sight.
Last month, Mofokeng was hospitalised for five days due to complications associated with diabetes.
"I nearly lost the battle and I thought I was going to die," he said.
"At my brothers' funerals, I urged people to have themselves tested. Even those who came for a walk today must do so with a sense of purpose," he said.
Silver Bahendeka of the International Diabetes Federation's Africa Region said: "In South Africa, the incidence and severity of diabetes is complicated by poverty, poor access to treatment and the fact that it often occurs together with infectious diseases like TB, malaria and HIV-Aids."
Bongi Ngema-Zuma highlights diabetes PHOTOS
First Lady Bongi Ngema-Zuma's Changing Diabetes initiative went into overdrive at the weekend. The Bongi Ngema-Zuma Foundation, of which she is a patron, attracted scores of people, as young and old participated in the 5km fun walk through the streets of Zamdela Township in Sasolburg, Free State, in commemoration of World Diabetes Day.
THERE are currently 6.5-million people living with diabetes in South Africa.
If nothing is done to curb the pandemic immediately, this number could double in 20 years - with many millions more at risk.
Diabetes has been declared a global health problem with 366-million people living with the disease, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Last month President Jacob Zuma's spouse Bongi Ngema-Zuma's Foundation took a related initiative - a community health awareness and education 5km walk to Zamdela township in Sasolburg in Free State to commemorate World Diabetes Day.
Speaking after the walk Ngema-Zuma said: "I am not diabetic, but I am prone to the disease because of my family. That is why I initiated the walk to encourage others to do the same.
"My mother lived with diabetes for more than 28 years before she passed on and she was never on insulin because she looked after herself very well," she said.
"One only needs to consider that an estimated 366-million people worldwide live with diabetes to appreciate the extent to which we are all required to do something to stop this pandemic," she said.
Simon Mofokeng, 55, was exhausted, but determined to walk despite his failing health. He has lived with type 2 diabetes for nearly 20 years.
In August Mofokeng lost two brothers within seven days to the silent killer. He also lost two sisters in 2007 to diabetes.
"My paternal family is prone to the disease," Mofokeng said.
His aunt became blind and she later died of the diseases. All her children are diabetics and one of them is also losing his sight.
Last month, Mofokeng was hospitalised for five days due to complications associated with diabetes.
"I nearly lost the battle and I thought I was going to die," he said.
"At my brothers' funerals, I urged people to have themselves tested. Even those who came for a walk today must do so with a sense of purpose," he said.
Silver Bahendeka of the International Diabetes Federation's Africa Region said: "In South Africa, the incidence and severity of diabetes is complicated by poverty, poor access to treatment and the fact that it often occurs together with infectious diseases like TB, malaria and HIV-Aids."
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