The Durban University of Technology Gender Forum, in partnership with the Faculty of Health Sciences, hosted the third annual Spring Fun Walk at Curries Fountain last week.

The event was initiated to promote healthy living and staff interaction among employees at DUT.
Participants went out of their way, all dressed for the season of Spring in brightly coloured dresses, shirts as well as adorning beautifully decorative hats as prizes for the best ‘spring hat’ and first three participants to finish the race, received prizes.

Chairperson of the Gender Forum, Ranilla Pillay said: “The main purpose of holding such an event is to promote staff interaction in a much more relaxed environment. We want to ensure that our staff members are physically and mentally fit as health is a priority on the agenda.”

Staff members gathered at the registration booth to list and get tags before participating in the walk. Lecturer Jaya Naidoo, who is from the Department of Hospitality and Tourism, came in first beating the other 105 participants, much to his delight.

“This is a good initiative at DUT as it aims to keep employees fit and healthy. There should be more events like this which promotes good health and well-being among staff members. I am happy about my achievement and would like to thank the Gender Forum and Health Faculty for hosting such an exciting event,” said Naidoo.

Other prize winners included general worker, Ronnitha Singh and lecturer at the Department of Homoeopathy, DrJabulile Ngubane. Each winner received a trophy for their excellent performances. The winner for the best ‘spring hat’ went to international education officer, Indrani Naidoo. Naidoo’s hat had a collage of flowers, flags and stickers. The hat reflected her work as an international education officer as it showed flags from different countries.

Coming in second in the ‘spring hat’ was Yasmitha Padayachee, a physiology technician in the Department of Basic Medical Science and third was Indraloshni Naidoo from the Department of the Library MLS Central Service. All 106 participants also received goodie bags for their efforts and participation in the fun walk event.

Besides the fun walk and competition, staff also had the opportunity to check their vital health signs such as cholesterol, eyesight and blood pressure at the event. The Department of Somatology students were also on hand to offer free massages to participants after the event.

Pictured: Winner of the Spring Hat competition, Indrani Naidoo, displays her colourful spring designer hat.
-Talent Buthelezi.