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24 March 2025 GRDM Hosts Fun Run to Raise Awareness for World TB Day

Media Release: GRDM Hosts Fun Run to Raise Awareness for World TB Day

24 March 2025

In commemoration of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day which is today, 24 March, the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Hessequa Office, in collaboration with the local Child Welfare South Africa office in Hessequa, hosted a 5km fun run on Saturday to celebrate and raise awareness about TB.

The fun run took place in Riversdale, starting at the Town Sports Stadium (“Steg”). Approximately 120 community members, including councillors, and local rugby players, participated in the event.

The event was officially opened by Councillor Jobieth Hoogbaard, the Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services. During a brief speech, Hoogbaard welcomed everyone and mentioned that it is always enjoyable to participate in community initiatives—not only for the fun of it but because there is always an important purpose behind them.

“The purpose of this fun run is, first and foremost, to raise awareness about TB and to convey the message that TB can be prevented and is easily treatable. Too many people in our communities die from TB every year, and enough is enough,” said Hoogbaard.

The theme for the 2025 World TB Day is ‘YES! WE CAN END TB: COMMIT, INVEST AND DELIVER.

Among the participants were several dedicated young athletes who took the fun run very seriously.

The GRDM Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel, who is also a local resident, attended the celebrations. Stroebel used the opportunity to engage with residents and handed out water and cool “ysies” to participants at the water point, encouraging them along the way. Towards the end of the festivities, Mayor Stroebel conducted the lucky draw and handed over the power bank prize, to the lucky winner. He delivered the closing remarks, thanking the participants and everyone present, especially the children, for their support.

The Riversdale Municipal Health Office wants to use this opportunity to thank all individuals and shop owners for the donations received. “We were quite surprised with the turnout this morning as well as with the support we received from both our superiors and our local community,” said Bronwen Moolman, one of the organising members from the Riversdale office.

A special word of gratitude to:

Sponsors:

  • GRDM Communications
  • Child Welfare SA – Riversdale
  • Riversdale Superspar
  • JC Butchery
  • Era Soda
  • Klein Begin Ice
  • Bubble Boys Space
  • The staff of the local FNB branch
  • Engen One Stop – Riversdale
  • Riversdale Hospital
  • EMS
  • Droom
  • CPF Riversdale
  • DJ – Ethan du Preez
  • Sandra Daries
  • Hessequa Municipality

Acknowledgments:

Riversdale Blues Rugby Club – for assisting with the setup and cleanup of the stadium.

Riversdale Town Rugby Club – for allowing the use of their home field.

Caption: Exciting Activities from This Morning’s Fun Walk/Run!

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