Gym members in a stretching session
By Nkaba Molamu
A philanthropist and inspirational speaker has opened an inclusive gym in Giyani, Limpopo province under the theme: #Jikizinto (turn things around).
The aim of the gym, opened on October 24 by Masingita Masunga (44), is to bring affordable and accessible fitness and wellness closer to people in rural and township areas and offers activities such as aerobics and occupational therapy.
Facilities are inclusive in that wheelchair users can easily access the gym and anyone can participate irrespective of age or abilities. Of the current 26 members, six are pensioners.
Masunga, who is into sports and fitness and has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, founded the ‘abOVEnormal’ brand in 2021 after realising that there was no huge black-owned fitness and wellness brand. The Giyani gym is the second abOVEnormal gym. The other one is in Pretoria.
“During the pandemic lots of people realised the importance of wellness and mental health. I was ill and I couldn’t afford medical bills and I also had to stop going to the gym because I couldn’t afford and I thought that there are so many people who are like me who cannot afford a gym especially in the rural and township areas who can benefit from something that is affordable,” Masunga said.
Former Orlando Pirates football player, Tonic Chabalala, was invited to lead a bootcamp training at the opening of the gym.
“Let not your disability determine your tomorrow because you can achieve something greater,” Chabalala said and encouraged beginners to lift weights that they are comfortable with. “You can keep your mind healthy by playing various games such as Stack Up, Scrabble, Monopoly or 30 Seconds or by making bracelets,” he added.
Chabalala told ThisAbility that the gym would bring a lot of changes into the community because it doesn’t only focus on physical fitness but also mental wellness.
Vokati Khosa (74), told ThisAbility that daily exercises offered at the gym helped to improve her mobility after she underwent an operation to replace both her knees. “The occupational therapy sessions help me a lot because they take my mind off things that sometimes bother me, and I have made beautiful bracelets and necklace for myself,” Khosa said. She also encouraged her husband to join the gym since there is no joining fee and will encourage other pensioners to be part of refreshing the mind and strengthening the body.
For more information, visit www.abovenormal.africa
