TAKE A HIKE!

KEEPING FIT AND FUN
When starting the journey of exercise, consistency is key. Sometimes you just want to spice up your routine with doing something less painful but still leaves you feeling good and refreshed.
Hiking can be your new best friend. It is the best substitute to your usual workouts. Here is why:

  1. Just like cardio exercises, it helps with reducing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke
  2. It helps maintain your weight
  3. It helps with building muscle mass which help prevent osteoporosis
  4. Your body receives vitamin C when outside in the sunshine
  5. It helps to reduce stress which contributes to your mental health
  6. For those with type 2 diabetes, hiking can reduce and even eliminate your need for insulin. With the guidance of your doctor.

HIKING SPOTS IN GQEBERHA
Gqeberha has one of the most scenic hiking spots where you can hike with friends, families and colleagues.

  1. SETTLERS PARK NATURE RESERVE
    This is a nature reserve where the Baakens river flows toward the oceans situated in Milpark the heart of Gqeberha.
  1. CAPE RECIFE NATURE RESERVE
    Cape Recife Nature Reserve is situated next to Pine Lodge Holiday Resort off Marine Drive, Summerstrand. The trail leads you to a refreshing breeze of the ocean and offers some of the best beach views.

  1. VAN STADENS WILDFLOWER RESERVE
    The Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve is situated about 40 km west of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), on the old Cape Road (R102). The reserve has a stunning view of the Storms River, and you are surprised by the beauty of the flowers. The national flower is also found in this reserve.

QUICK HIKING TIPS

  1. Protect your feet. Wear closed comfortable shoes
  2. Dress in layers. In case you get overheated you can easily remove a clothing item.
  3. Protect your skin. Put on sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses.
  4. Stay hydrated. Brink some H2O
  5. Be safe all the time. Go with a partner
    If you don’t have a hiking partner or want to meet new people. Groups like “Hike That Never End” and “StepOut-PE” on Instagram are available in Gqeberha to turn strangers into friends. So, get your comfortable shoes, call and friend and start hiking.

Ocean View informal settlement receives Hope and Dignity for Mandela Day

Shincheonji Volunteers unite with Ocean View Councillor, Lenny Moodley for Mandela Day.

In the spirit of love, compassion and unity, the Shincheonji Volunteers (of Shincheonji Church of Jesus) have once again taken a step forward to uplift the lives of those in need.

As part of their ongoing efforts to make a positive impact in communities around the city, the church chose to commemorate Mandela Day by donating much-needed sanitary towels to struggling informal settlements in Ocean View. This act of kindness not only brings hope but also restores dignity to those facing challenging circumstances.


Mandela Day, celebrated annually on July 18th, is a day of remembrance and action to honor the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s iconic leader and visionary. The day calls upon individuals and organizations to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to make a positive change in their communities. This symbolic gesture represents the 67 years Nelson Mandela dedicated to fighting for human rights and social justice.


The donation drive was met with enthusiasm and warmth from the members of the church, as they believed it was their responsibility to give back to the community and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. Through their collective efforts, they gathered a substantial number of sanitary towels to distribute, ensuring that no woman in the informal settlements of Ocean View had challenges this month.

The act of donating sanitary towels goes beyond just providing a physical necessity; it signifies unity and empowerment. By reaching out to these communities with love and support, Shincheonji Volunteers is fostering a sense of togetherness that transcends cultural, religious, and social boundaries. This gesture emphasizes the shared humanity that binds us all and underscores the importance of standing together during times of difficulty.

As we look to the future, let us be inspired by the selfless acts of Shincheonji Volunteers and continue to spread love and kindness to all corners of the world, empowering those facing adversity and standing as beacons of hope in their lives. Together, we can create a world where no one is left behind, and all can flourish in the warmth of compassion and care.

National Arts Festival Bliss

Gqeberha’s Stellar Theatre Stars Shine Bright in Grahamstown


Grahamstown National Arts Festival, the largest and most vibrant cultural event in Africa, presents a delightful selection of outstanding talent, both local and international. With a duration of 11 days every year in June and July, the population of Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape nearly doubles, drawing more than 50,000 individuals who eagerly gather for an abundance of arts, crafts, and pure entertainment.
From theatre to dance, opera to cabaret, fine art to craft art, classical music to jazz, poetry readings to lectures, every art form imaginable is represented in one of the most diverse festivals in the world. And there’s something for every taste, with techno raves, medieval banquets, craft fairs, cyber cafes, carnivals, buskers and walking tours.


In this esteemed cultural extravaganza, Gqeberha artists had the opportunity to exhibit their exceptional talent. Alongside numerous other Gqeberha artists, the likes of Mongezi Ncwadi, Lonwabo Xatasi, Thando Mabutho, Ntombetsh Ntombethembaa Zitshu, and Lungelwa Magqamfana captivated audiences at the Grahamstown Arts Festival with their remarkable theatre performance “MAMGCINA”, leaving spectators in awe.

This production, adapted from ‘Cry Freedom’, portrays the tale of a black domestic worker who wakes up one morning to discover herself alone, entrusted with the care of a dog. Her master, who is under house arrest, and her family are mysteriously absent. The police interrogate her, suspecting that she holds information about his whereabouts. Meanwhile, she also grapples with an ultimatum from her well-educated but unemployed husband. On the first day of 1978, her husband receives news of Mamgcina’s conviction but struggles to locate her in any of the prisons.

Gqeberha truly stands as a city brimming with an abundance of talent, consistently nurturing and showcasing exceptional artists across various domains. With its richness and unwavering representation, this city continues to shine brightly in numerous spheres, solidifying its reputation as a creative powerhouse.

via https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/mamgcina/

Ditch The Gym, Still Get Slim

MAKING EXERCISING DOABLE AND AFFORDABLE

Exercising can be easy, free and fun. Of utmost importance, it can make you feel good in order to keep on doing it!
Working out can help to increase the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins. When we feel good, we do good.

EXERCISING ON A BUDGET
Home workout are great and effective in keeping fit while saving money on gym fees. You can slim up in your living area, in your garden, or your nearest park.
But what if you want to add some weights? Worry not, you can use what you have at home already and here is how:

  • Use a 5-litre bottle with water as your dumbbell. 1 litre of water weighs about 1 kilogram so 5 litres will weigh 5 kilograms (NB: Not considering other factors that may affect the weight).
  • Use the same 5 litre bottle but this time fill it with beach sand or any sand to add more weight on your exercise. 1 litre of volume equates to roughly 1.53kg therefore 5 litres of volume will be 7.65kg roughly.
  • Use a chair to do more elevated exercises.
  • Use an old tyre, fill it with stones, tie a long rope on to the tyre and pull it on the other end with your hands or tie the other end of the rope on your waist and walk while the tyre is behind you. That will engage both your arms and legs when you add some speed to the exercise.