Unisa’s Wellness Day takes holistic approach to wellbeing

On 15 September 2023, Unisans gathered at the E-garden on Unisa’s Muckleneuk Campus to engage in aerobic exercises and fun activities. This initiative, dubbed Wellness Day, was hosted by the Employee Relations and Wellness Directorate in order to promote general health and wellness for students and staff.

Unisans preparing for aerobic exercises and the fitness dance experiences

Affirming the idea of health and wellness

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Puleng LenkaBula, extended her heartfelt gratitude towards staff from various colleges and departments, who engaged in the activities of the Wellness Day event.

In addition, the VC took the opportunity to announce the university’s latest recognition amongst the best performing 500 companies in the country. “We are ranked amongst the top five in the university category, according to the Top 500 publication. This is all because of you and the work that you do to contribute to the university,” she remarked to resounding applause.

The VC continued to motivate the employees regarding the importance of their health, stating: “it is important that you exercise, and undergo health and wellness checks to ensure that your wellbeing and your working environment are well maintained, not only for yourselves but for our students as well. I know that we will all succeed. May this season be the best for you and your families,” said the VC.

A holistic wellbeing approach

Dr Shelley-Ann Williams, Manager: Employee Wellness from the Employee Relations Directorate stated that the Wellness Day is hosted annually, to give employees a change to focus on their health and wellness, and to allow them to have fun through exercises, and to destress.

(From left) Vicky Malefo, Leon Roets and Dr Shelley-Ann Williams

Williams said that COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on the wellbeing of staff and students, and it was necessary to intervene through not only health screenings, but also through financial advisors. She stated that there were stations set up at the OR Tambo Building for the following screenings and testing; BMI (body mass index), diabetes, cholesterol, tuberculosis, blood pressure, and HIV/AIDS. “There are also massage therapists, dentists, and debt counsellors from the National Credit Regulator (NCR). We have taken this holistic wellbeing approach for staff so that they can be reminded of the need to have a work-life balance” she remarked. “Employees need to take responsibility and practise self-care. And part of wellness day is giving staff the opportunity to exactly that,” she said.

Lizzy Mareme

In affirming Dr Williams’s message, Vicky Malefo, Health and Wellness Manager, HIV/AIDS Division, remarked that the Wellness Day event is an initiative aimed at promoting general health and wellness within the institution. The event, she said, further purports to take health and wellness to the people, with a view to mitigate against employee absenteeism attributable to utilisation of external healthcare facilities. In addition, Malefo said the event further aims to demonstrate collaboration among various Unisa health and wellness services that comprise the following: Employee Wellness Section (Psychosocial Services), HIV/AIDS Section (Primary Health Care Services), and Sports and Recreation Services.

“Wellness Day 2023 definitely lived up to its slogan, which is mind, body, and soul,” said Lizzy Mareme, from SMPD Print Production, who participated in the activities. She explained that Wellness Day grants employees an opportunity to check their health and be reminded to balance their life apart from being in the office. In addition, Mareme stated that the medical screenings are just as important because, she said, “we need to know our health status and be reminded of the healthy ways of living. Personally, I enjoyed the fun walk and pantsula dance fitness experience as we got to engage with other staff members and have fun.

#Unisa150

*By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement