In Harare, Zimbabwe, 65-year-old Nelly Mutandwa starts her day by trading pajamas for workout gear and heading to an unexpected exercise venue: a cemetery. Alongside fellow members of the Commandos Fitness Club, she engages in an invigorating session of squats, lunges, and stretches set to upbeat music amidst the gravestones. For Mutandwa, this daily routine is not just about staying fit—it’s a crucial tool in managing her diabetes. With limited access to traditional gyms in their neighborhoods, older Zimbabweans like Mutandwa are finding creative ways to combat the rise of non-communicable diseases such as heart problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes across Africa.
Globally, non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death, responsible for the majority of annual fatalities, according to the World Health Organization. In Zimbabwe, these diseases currently make up a significant portion of annual deaths, with experts predicting they will surpass communicable diseases by 2030. Factors contributing to this trend include sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, substance abuse, and lack of physical activity, affecting both older individuals and increasingly, younger generations.
As the prevalence of non-communicable diseases continues to rise, governments and health experts are sounding the alarm. In response to the growing health crisis, efforts are being made to encourage healthier dietary choices and promote physical activity. For Mutandwa and her fitness club companions, their unconventional workout setting serves as a reminder of the importance of staying active. Under the guidance of coach Joseph Nekati, who was inspired to help others after his mother’s stroke, they are determined to defy the odds and prioritize their health and well-being.
The community fitness club has transformed into a haven for elderly individuals passionate about staying active and healthy. Within the club’s approximately 20 members, eight of them are older adults, as mentioned by Nekati. Susan Gomo, a 64-year-old grandmother grappling with high blood pressure and arthritis, shared her inspiring journey of physical transformation. She recounted how she once weighed 86 kilograms (189 pounds) and found it challenging to even stand up, let alone breathe comfortably while moving around at home. Through her dedication and hard work, Susan successfully shed weight, now weighing 76 kilograms (167 pounds) and enjoying the ability to walk longer distances.
The group workout sessions at the club serve as a platform to motivate and inspire other seniors to engage in physical activity. Susan Gomo expressed concern over some of her peers who remain hesitant to exercise, opting instead to lead a sedentary lifestyle of eating and staying indoors. She hopes that her own remarkable progress will serve as a catalyst for them to reconsider and prioritize their health.
Mutandwa, another member of the club, adopted the practice of power walking during a visit to the United Kingdom in 2022. Upon returning to Zimbabwe, she attempted to continue this regimen in her local area but found the roads to be in poor condition and heavily congested. In search of a safer environment for her walks, Mutandwa discovered the fitness club situated within the cemetery. The well-maintained path offered by the cemetery has become a favored location for the group to exercise comfortably without interruptions. Motivated by their shared goal of leading healthier lives, Mutandwa and her companions view the cemetery as a place symbolic of their determination to stay active and defy the limitations of age, one step at a time.
Reflecting on the serene and secure setting provided by the cemetery for their workouts, Mutandwa expressed a hopeful wish for the local council to consider constructing proper facilities to further support their fitness activities. As she prepared to make her way back home, the group’s commitment to nurturing their well-being through regular exercise echoed a shared sentiment of perseverance and resilience in the face of aging.
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