Promoting Holistic Health Among Staff Through the Annual Employee Wellness Day
The Employee Relations and Employee Wellness Office recently hosted its annual employee wellness day at Ellis Park Sportsgrounds, KwaDlangezwa Campus.
This annual observance not only serves as a reminder of the significance of holistic health in the workplace but also as a call to action for employees to take active steps into improving their overall health in an effort to prolong their lives.
The event commenced on a spiritual note, with a powerful prayer by Professor Kevin Naidoo, Deputy Dean: Research and Internationalisation in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. He shared a scripture that seemed to align with the purpose of the wellness day project as it spoke to the five dimensions of health: physical, mentally, emotionally, spiritual, and social.
Prof Prince Jaca, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Institutional Support, thanked all employees, stakeholders, and guest speakers for honouring the invitation to Wellness Day. He assured that University management was in full support of this day, adding that it was a necessity to have spaces where employees can take care of their bodies.
“Wellness is a result of a personal initiative. Continue to be part of [this annual event] and look after your body every day because it is your own personal initiative to look after your body,” Prof Jaca urged the attendees.
Various guests attended this event. Dr Steve Xolani Molefe, a specialist psychiatrist, delved into the theme “Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body”. He noted that the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) staff was fortunate to have such a health-focused event.
Said Molefe, “Let’s take care of our minds, souls, and bodies so that they take care of us because we are spiritual beings.”
He added that in higher education institutions, bullying was prevalent, thus contributing to more employees – regardless of their positions – battling mental health challenges. According to Molefe, the institution’s health lies in the health of its workers so that they can produce quality work. He encouraged the employees to visit health institutions to learn more about how to improve their health and prevent illnesses.
John Manyike, the head of financial education at Old Mutual Limited who was also invited as a guest speaker, shared lessons about financial management and important savings employees should consider. He stated that some upbringings influence people to normalise making poor financial decisions. Furthermore, he stressed that lack of financial education often leads to psychological issues.
The day was crowned by a performance by gospel artist Thina Zungu. In closing, Thabo Lebakeng: Director of Employee Relations & Employee Wellbeing passed the vote of thanks to UNIZULU staff members for the support. He quoted a scripture from Deuteronomy 6 verse 8 which reads: “Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads”. This was to emphasise that employees ought to constantly remind themselves of the information that they had consumed during the wellness event.
Attendees thereafter participated in a variety of activities throughout the day – from soccer to netball to aerobics. They also could visit exhibition stalls for eye tests, high blood pressure checks, insurances and financial advice.
– Pamela Mlaba
Pictures: Xolani Ncube