Unisa KZN Region hosts a student health and wellness festival

Students often juggle countless responsibilities, from meeting work or study deadlines to managing personal commitments. As a result, it is all too easy for students to neglect their health and wellness. Yet, as the saying goes: "health is wealth", which couldn't be more accurate for students aiming to succeed in their studies. The Student Affairs Department, in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Region, recently extended an invitation to all Unisa students to attend the Student Health and Wellness Festival in Durban.

Staff members, student leadership and partners

At the heart of the festival was a range of essential health services designed to cater for students' well-being. The event provided confidential and free HIV testing, offering students peace of mind and an opportunity to take control of their health. The festival covered essential topics such as Tuberculosis (TB)  and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) awareness, equipping students with the knowledge to stay safe and healthy throughout their academic journey. The experts shared valuable insights, tips and strategies to help students thrive academically. Insights included time management, stress relief or study techniques; the programme participants' expertise guided students pursuing academic excellence.

The speakers emphasised that staying physically active is not just about maintaining a healthy body but also a key ingredient in sharpening students' minds. The festival featured exercise and aerobics sessions conducted by a reputable gym. Students were encouraged to join in and experience the stimulating benefits of a good workout. Exercise can boost a student's energy and enhance their mental focus and cognitive abilities, thus leading them to academic success. Dr Joyce Myeza, Regional Director for KwaZulu-Natal, welcomed the programme participants and students. Lizette le Roux, Deputy Director of Student Development, discussed Student Development's approach to student support, and Tebogo Mangope, a Student Health and Wellness practitioner, provided a menu of services available.

Students listening attentively to the presentation

Shabnam Moidheen from Old Mutual spotlighted the secret to living a robust and prosperous life. She said: "Start building your financial fortress right from the outset." She introduced students to a tool in the form of the 22Seven app, which is the brainchild of Old Mutual and precisely tailored to South Africans. "This nifty app serves as a trusty financial sidekick. It is designed to help students navigate the treacherous waters of budgeting, keep tabs on their hard-earned cash, and even seemingly wave a magic wand and make those pesky, unnecessary expenditures disappear. Plus, it has students covered in saving," said Moidheen.

Nwabisa Mphithi Mbhele, the representative from the KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society, said her organisation is on a mission to open the eyes of communities, quite literally, to the importance of ocular health. With a slew of awareness and prevention programmes, this society ensures that everyone understands the significance of caring for their eyes. They assist both the blind and the deaf, offering a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, and a guiding light through the darkest of times. They provide counselling services to nurture emotional well-being, braille classes to empower the visually impaired, computer classes to keep everyone digitally connected, and tactile sign language to bridge the communication gap for those who are both deaf and blind. They also offer accredited sign language classes.

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*By Jo Cossavella, Communications Officer, Unisa KwaZulu-Natal Region