THE department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries through its forestry management branch in King William’s Town hosted a successful breast and prostate cancer awareness campaign on Tuesday.
Department’s communication officer Linda Donkrag said the event was aimed at creating awareness among employees and promoting physical activity for wellness and a healthy lifestyle.
“The ‘pink and white’-themed day unfolded with a formal programme of educational talks on the disease with a presentation made by Governmental Employees Medical Scheme [Gems] client liaison-officer Sibahle Ndamase,” Donkrag said.
“Health-screening services, such as blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index as well as HIV/Aids counselling and testing, TB screening and massages were conducted by Gems officials before we concluded the campaign with a 30-minute aerobics session at our netball courts,” she said.
The department’s regional director Gwendoline Sgwabe thanked the about 100 employees that came from Keiskammahoek Plantation and the Stutterheim-based Isidenge Estate for their presence, commended Gems officials who embraced the occasion and reiterated the importance of the event.
“The reason we are here is to share information about the powerful topic of breast and prostate cancer,” Sgwabe said.
“You never know when you’ll be affected by cancer and today you have the opportunity to get information from Gems. Gone are those days that cancer could not be healed.”
Acting as guest speaker, Ndamase said only a professional doctor can diagnose someone with cancer and that it cancer can be cured if it is detected early enough.
A candle lightning service was conducted by employees Tembelani Mangxila and Lottie Hermanus for all employees and families who died from cancer.
Employees grabbed the opportunity to know their status by going for screening.
The aerobic session was led by the King-based Herbalife Nutrition coach Yanga Malgas at the netball courts on the premises.
Mandisa Basi from the Keiskammahoek Plantation said the initiative was educational.
“We received firsthand information on one of the most serious illnesses and I am thankful for the opportunity by our department.”
