Fitness Clubs
What personal experience motivated Coach Joseph Nekati to start training elderly women at the Commandos Fitness Club?
Coach Joseph Nekati's motivation stemmed from a profound personal tragedy. His mother was diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes, which led to her suffering a stroke that ultimately caused her death on January 5th, 2023. This painful loss became the catalyst for his mission to help others avoid similar fates. Deeply affected by this experience, Nekati partnered with a colleague to recruit elderly women for fitness training, creating a program specifically designed to combat chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. His initiative aims to improve health outcomes for senior women through regular exercise, turning his personal grief into a meaningful community service.
Watch clip answer (00:15m)
WION
02:07 - 02:22
What is the global impact of non-communicable diseases according to recent WHO data?
According to figures from the World Health Organization as of December 2024, non-communicable diseases are a leading cause of death globally, responsible for 41 million deaths annually. These diseases account for a staggering 74% of all annual fatalities worldwide. In Zimbabwe, seniors at the Commandos Fitness Club are taking action against these diseases, exercising in a graveyard to combat conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Watch clip answer (00:15m)WION
02:29 - 02:45
How are older Zimbabweans combating chronic diseases despite limited fitness facilities?
Older Zimbabweans are addressing chronic health issues by exercising wherever they can, including in unconventional locations like graveyards through groups such as the Commandos Fitness Club. With limited access to formal gym facilities in their neighborhoods, these seniors have created their own fitness communities. Their primary goal is to combat Africa's growing problem of chronic diseases, specifically targeting heart problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes through regular physical activity. This grassroots fitness movement demonstrates how elderly Zimbabweans are taking proactive steps to maintain their health despite infrastructure limitations.
Watch clip answer (00:18m)WION
01:33 - 01:52
How are seniors using unconventional spaces to manage health conditions in Zimbabwe?
In Zimbabwe's capital, 65-year-old Nelly Mundandwa and fellow seniors have transformed a graveyard into a fitness hub where they conduct hour-long sessions of squats, lunges, and stretches to upbeat music. This daily routine has become much more than just exercise for participants like Mundandwa. For her, these workout sessions amidst gravestones serve as a crucial lifeline in managing diabetes. The Commandos Fitness Club not only helps seniors combat chronic health conditions but also provides motivation and community support in an area with limited access to conventional gym facilities, demonstrating their resilience and commitment to healthier aging.
Watch clip answer (00:20m)WION
00:45 - 01:05
Why did seniors in Zimbabwe create a fitness club in a cemetery?
Seniors in Zimbabwe's capital established a high-energy fitness club in a cemetery due to a shortage of available gym space. This unusual location serves a dual purpose - providing them with space to exercise while offering a powerful reminder of how lack of physical activity can shorten lives. The participants view dancing amid gravestones as a salutary reminder of the consequences of sedentary lifestyles, which are contributing to rising cases of chronic diseases throughout Zimbabwe.
Watch clip answer (00:24m)WION
00:00 - 00:24
What is the global impact of non-communicable diseases according to recent WHO data?
According to figures from the World Health Organization from December 2024, non-communicable diseases are a leading cause of death globally, responsible for 41 million deaths. These diseases account for 74% of annual fatalities worldwide, highlighting their significant impact on global health. This data underscores why initiatives like the Commandos Fitness Club in Zimbabwe are crucial, as they help seniors combat chronic conditions through regular exercise and community support. As these diseases become increasingly prevalent, particularly in Africa where diabetes and hypertension are common, community-based fitness programs offer an important intervention strategy.
Watch clip answer (00:15m)
WION
02:29 - 02:45