{"id":18665,"date":"2025-07-28T15:20:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T13:20:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=18665"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:10:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:10:15","slug":"gautengs-mec-for-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/gautengs-mec-for-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Gauteng\u2019s MEC for Health Participates in Annual 702 Walk the Talk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#gauteng-leads-the-way-in-health-awareness\" data-level=\"2\">Gauteng Leads the Way in Health Awareness<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#tackling-non-communicable-diseases-head-on\" data-level=\"2\">Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases Head-On<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#physical-activity-as-a-key-prevention-tool\" data-level=\"2\">Physical Activity as a Key Prevention Tool<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#bringing-the-community-together-for-wellness\" data-level=\"2\">Bringing the Community Together for Wellness<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-screenings-at-the-event-support-early-detec\" data-level=\"2\">Health Screenings at the Event Support Early Detection<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#supporting-gautengs-growing-population-health-need\" data-level=\"2\">Supporting Gauteng\u2019s Growing Population Health Needs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-role-of-public-engagement-in-disease-preventio\" data-level=\"2\">The Role of Public Engagement in Disease Prevention<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#mec-nkomo-ralehokos-call-to-action\" data-level=\"2\">MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko\u2019s Call to Action<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#long-term-benefits-of-healthy-lifestyle-campaigns\" data-level=\"2\">Long-Term Benefits of Healthy Lifestyle Campaigns<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#looking-ahead-building-a-healthier-gauteng-togethe\" data-level=\"2\">Building a Healthier Gauteng Together<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Every year, thousands gather to promote healthier lifestyles across Gauteng. This year, the province\u2019s MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, joined the march. The event highlights the importance of physical activity in fighting lifestyle diseases. It also underscores community efforts to reduce pressure on health facilities. The walk started at Freedom Park Heritage Site and ended at the Union Buildings, uniting communities around the message of wellness and prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/702-walk-the-talk-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">702 Walk the Talk 2025: Tshwane Gears Up for Family-Friendly Walking Event<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"gauteng-leads-the-way-in-health-awareness\">Gauteng Leads the Way in Health Awareness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The annual 702 Walk the Talk serves as a vital platform for raising health consciousness. MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko led over 190 officials from the Gauteng Department of Health. Participants chose from three walking routes: 8 km, 6.7 km, and a 4 km fun walk. This gathering strengthens the #AsibeHealthyGP campaign, which promotes exercise and disease prevention across the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3117758413\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tackling-non-communicable-diseases-head-on\">Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases Head-On<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer cause over 70% of deaths worldwide. Gauteng faces rising cases of these conditions, which strain healthcare resources. MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasized, \u201cIt is crucial that we encourage communities to get active and adopt healthier lifestyles to reduce the burden of disease on the public healthcare system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"physical-activity-as-a-key-prevention-tool\">Physical Activity as a Key Prevention Tool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The walk promotes the role of regular exercise in preventing chronic illnesses. By walking together, participants set an example for others to follow healthier habits. Community engagement at events such as this helps foster long-term lifestyle changes that benefit public health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4123527261\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bringing-the-community-together-for-wellness\">Bringing the Community Together for Wellness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko\u2019s active participation symbolizes government commitment to grassroots health promotion. The event draws residents from diverse backgrounds united by a common goal: improving wellbeing. It also provides an opportunity for people to connect and support each other in making positive choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-screenings-at-the-event-support-early-detec\">Health Screenings at the Event Support Early Detection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the walk, outreach health officials offered on-site screenings. These help identify conditions early when treatment is most effective. This approach complements the prevention message by connecting participants to critical health services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-598367906\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"supporting-gautengs-growing-population-health-need\">Supporting Gauteng\u2019s Growing Population Health Needs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With Gauteng\u2019s population increasing steadily, the demand for healthcare services grows. MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko pointed out the rise in clinic visits for lifestyle diseases. Such events educate the public on how to reduce their risk and ease pressure on clinics and hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-role-of-public-engagement-in-disease-preventio\">The Role of Public Engagement in Disease Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Events like the 702 Walk the Talk empower communities to take charge of their health. They also generate awareness of available health resources and promote healthy living as a shared responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-717745585\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mec-nkomo-ralehokos-call-to-action\">MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko\u2019s Call to Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The MEC encourages more people and organizations to facilitate similar initiatives. \u201cWe want to build a culture of health and wellness throughout Gauteng,\u201d she stated. Her leadership reinforces the message that prevention is key to reducing disease impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DMnHdt8t_xd\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DMnHdt8t_xd\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DMnHdt8t_xd\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Gauteng Health Department (@gautenghealth)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"long-term-benefits-of-healthy-lifestyle-campaigns\">Long-Term Benefits of Healthy Lifestyle Campaigns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sustained campaigns focused on exercise and diet contribute to fewer chronic disease cases. This reduces healthcare costs and improves quality of life across the province. The walk is a vital part of this larger effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-413195289\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"looking-ahead-building-a-healthier-gauteng-togethe\">Building a Healthier Gauteng Together<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gauteng\u2019s commitment to initiatives like the 702 Walk the Talk signals a hopeful future. Continued community engagement and government support can help create healthier environments. MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko\u2019s involvement inspires collective action toward wellness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko\u2019s participation in the annual 702 Walk the Talk highlights Gauteng\u2019s proactive approach to health promotion. By joining thousands of residents and health workers in this symbolic march, the province strengthens its fight against lifestyle diseases. This initiative ties directly to broader goals of prevention, early detection, and community empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/t9015341642.p.clickup-attachments.com\/t9015341642\/5cc26ff9-73f6-44ae-9de4-8f77bea52ee0\/GAUTENG%20HEALTH%20MEC%20TO%20PARTICIPATE%20IN%20THE%20702%20WALK%20THE%20TALK%2027072025.pdf?view=open\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Residents are encouraged to support <\/a>and initiate similar activities in their local areas. Together, these efforts build resilience against non-communicable diseases and improve overall public health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gauteng\u2019s MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, actively participates in the annual 702 Walk the Talk event, promoting physical activity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":18670,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Gauteng\u2019s MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, actively participates in the annual 702 Walk the Talk event, promoting physical activity.","footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[9985,10099,10098],"class_list":{"0":"post-18665","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-lifestyle","8":"tag-702-walk-the-talk","9":"tag-gauteng-health-initiatives","10":"tag-lifestyle-disease-prevention"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18665"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18665\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18674,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18665\/revisions\/18674"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18670"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}