Maun employees from various government offices and private companies flocked to the Maun Sports Complex last Friday for a wellness day hosted by the North West District Commissioner’s office. The event was held under the theme: “Collaboration and Networking: Striving for a Healthy Workplace.”
Officially launching the event, North West District Commissioner (DC) Thabang Waloka stated, “This is a significant milestone for our district. Our health is our most valuable asset and requires maximum care. In order for public servants to serve the public with excellence, they must be healthy.”
He urged both veteran and young employees to prioritise their wellbeing and maintain a healthy lifestyle, rather than relying solely on wellness events to check their health status. “Let us normalise regular medical check-ups and exercise, both indoors and outdoors, and keep wellness and fitness on our agenda year-round,” Waloka said.
The DC stressed that beyond physical illness, employees are vulnerable to depression, stress, and anxiety, which contribute to toxic and tense working environments. He noted that if the welfare and health of employees are prioritised, a healthier, stress-free workforce can be sustained.
Waloka also expressed appreciation for the public-private partnerships and collaborative efforts that made the event possible. “To all our sponsors and partners, we extend our gratitude for the expertise, contributions, and efforts you put forth to make this event a success.”
Waloka mentioned that the office intends to make the wellness day an annual or bi-annual event, budget permitting. He noted that P17,000 was raised for the event through a beauty pageant last month. Furthermore, the DC highlighted the need for self-reliance, stating it is crucial to find ways to progress without depending entirely on government aid.
Batawana Paramount Chief, Kgosi Tawana Moremi II, who also graced the event, remarked, “This initiative is highly welcome in our district, where we are experiencing an alarming rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).” He suggested the event could significantly help reduce NCDs and recommended it be held twice a year or quarterly.
Kgosi Tawana praised the high turnout, adding that it was encouraging to see people taking bold steps toward bettering their health.
The event attracted participants from the Maun Police, BDF, Water Utilities, LEA, Red Cross, the District Commissioner’s office, and DBS, among others. Activities included a fitness walk from the RAC premises at the Old Mall to the stadium in Thito Ward, followed by various sports such as volleyball, netball, football, tug-of-war, athletics, and fun games like sack and elephant races.
