SAFARI - the Progressive Business Forum website

HEALTH“The fight against diabetes and associated diseases isone we have the power to win, both individually andcollectively. But we have to take the first step to elevateit to the national, continental and global psyche – firstlyeducating ourselves and then also those around us onwhat needs to be done.”of your health. This self-awarenessis best achieved by undergoing avoluntary screening and testing fordiabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure,and HIV and Aids. Once this has beendone, self-awareness entails ensuringan active, healthy lifestyle for oneself.It’s about getting regular exercise andeating right.On my part, I’ve established theBongi Ngema-Zuma Foundationin August 2010 to confront thescourge of diabetes and, at the sametime, advance education and ruraldevelopment as anchor pillars of ourstrategy to make a lasting impact.Our foundation has been runningfor well over two and a half years. Inthis short period, we have reachedmore than five million people throughour community and media outreachprogrammes. Our vision is to achievewithin the foreseeable future aSouth Africa where no one losestheir life due to lack of awarenessabout diabetes. It’s a bold vision, yetachievable. We are very determined,and may actually be hitting aboveCampaigning for healthy lifestyles.our weight. But this is our newavenue of hope that we are sparklingup with tangible and pragmaticprogrammes to share knowledge andraise awareness about diabetes inorder to change the lives of SouthAfrican citizens, mostly the blackmajority, for the better. In the broadersocial context, our foundation seeksto drive the empowerment of womenand children, rural development,education and health, primarilycentral to diabetes and associateddiseases.Based on the values of sustainableeducation, a commitment to servewith integrity, and conduct that isat all times responsible, accountableand transparent, our foundationpursues the objectives of increasedawareness about diabetes, itsrisk factors and preventative andmanagement measures; collaborationand strategic partnerships with keystakeholders; resource mobilisation;the empowerment of rural, urbanand vulnerable communities, andsupporting people to take ownershipof their health through counselling,education and other interventions.I count on all of you in business,government, civil society and thenon-governmental organisationsectors to join us as we embark onthis ambitious journey to make adifference. None of us can succeedin anything of lasting, multigenerationalvalue without the otherplaying a part. We all need each otherto work constructively and collectivelyin applying our positive energiestowards building a prosperous SouthAfrica. And a prosperous South Africawill need to be a healthy one. ✥Warning signs andpreventionDifferent individuals canexperience varying warning signs,and sometimes even none, butthe most common signs are thefollowing:• Frequent urination• Excessive thirst• Increased hunger• Weight loss• Fatigue• Lack of interest andconcentration• Vomiting and stomach pain (oftenmistaken as the flu)• A tingling sensation or numbnessin the hands or feet• Blurred vision• Frequent infections• Slow-healing woundsIf you show any of these signs,consult a health professional.At present, type 1 diabetes cannotbe prevented. However, there issubstantial evidence that achievingand maintaining a healthy bodyweight and moderate physicalactivity can help prevent type2 diabetes. The InternationalDiabetes Federation recommendsa guideline of at least 30 minutes’daily exercise, such as briskwalking, swimming, cycling ordancing. For example, regularwalking for at least 30 minutes perday has been shown to reduce therisk of type 2 diabetes by 35–40%.50 I S S U E 1