- The Bothasig Residents Association (BRA) started a social walk initiative on 13 March 2023 to promote health, well-being, and community connection.
- The walks, which welcome participants of all ages, have fostered camaraderie among residents, with the oldest participant being 88-year-old Cesar DeOliveira.
- The walks, held on Mondays and Wednesdays, aim to expand to more routes to include more residents.
For more than year now Bothasig residents have been able to join their fellow neighbours in a brisk and gentle walk through the streets of the area, thanks to a community based initiative project.
The initiative, Bothasig Residents Association (BRA) Social Walk, was started by the organisation in a bid to get residents, young and old, out to meet and connect, and to create a sense of community.
Mario Borchards, BRA chair, started the initiative on 13 March 2023.
“The project recognises the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially for older adults. The walks are designed to be social and inclusive, providing an opportunity for residents to meet and interact with their neighbours while engaging in physical exercise.
“We have residents who have lived in Bothasig for over 40 years and do not know their neighbours. Building social cohesion and a vibrant community spirit is very important to us. We now have people from all over joining the walks,” explains Borchards.
All are welcome
Borchards says the walks have been very well attended.
“We have an amazing core group of residents ranging in age from teenagers to those in their eighties. The camaraderie among them is incredible, and many have become friends. Our oldest participant, Cesar DeOliveira, is 88 years old and attended the inaugural walk. He very rarely misses a walk and is often at the front of the pack. He is our inspiration.”
He says everyone in the community are welcome to join.
Borchards says he is not aware whether this has been done in any other community, but that they encourage other areas to follow suit. “Among the various projects we have, the social walk is the most engaging.”
Asked what their future aims and objectives are, he responded saying: “We aim to expand the social walk to other routes in Bothasig so that it is accessible to more residents. We also want more residents to come out, meet, and socialise with their neighbours.”
There is one main route at the moment. “We start at the entrance of Bosmansdam High School and do a 3,3 km loop. Beginners can take shortcuts down side roads to shorten the route. We ensure that everyone is safe, and since the inception of the walk, there have been no security issues,” Borchards says.
- People interested can join them on Mondays and Wednesdays at 18:15 at the entrance of Bosmansdam High School on Adam Tas Street, Bothasig.
