“Wits University has launched the South African chapter of the Global Alliance for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (SA-GAPPAH), responding to the country’s urgent inactivity crisis. With one in three South Africans inactive and obesity rates rising, the initiative seeks to embed movement into healthcare, workplaces, and communities as a cost-effective “medicine” for preventing chronic disease.”
South Africa is facing a public health emergency driven by physical inactivity, obesity, and lifestyle-related diseases. In response, Wits University has launched the South African chapter of the Global Alliance for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (SA-GAPPAH), a groundbreaking initiative designed to embed physical activity into the nation’s healthcare system and community structures. This move comes at a critical time, as statistics reveal that 35% of South Africans are inactive, while non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 51% of deaths nationwide.
The Urgency of Action
Global impact: Physical inactivity causes 5 million deaths annually worldwide.
Local crisis: In South Africa, inactivity is compounded by poverty, inequality, and limited access to safe recreational spaces.
Obesity epidemic: One-third of black South African women live with obesity, placing them at high risk for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Professor Demitri Constantinou of Wits University emphasized that “movement is medicine,” urging policymakers to treat physical activity as a frontline defense against disease.
The SA-GAPPAH Initiative
SA-GAPPAH is part of the Global Alliance for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (GAPPA-H), which South Africa joined after signing the Hamburg Declaration in 2025. The initiative seeks to:
Develop national targets for physical activity.
Integrate exercise into healthcare policies and treatment plans.
Promote community-based fitness programs accessible to all socioeconomic groups.
Encourage workplace wellness strategies to reduce sedentary behavior.
Professor Georgia Torres, Head of Exercise Science at Wits, described physical activity as a “silver bullet” for preventing chronic disease, stressing that the challenge lies in motivating people to move.
The Triple Burden of Disease
South Africa’s health system is strained by a triple burden of disease:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs): Heart disease, diabetes, cancer.
Infectious diseases: HIV and TB remain prevalent.
Environmental/systemic challenges: Poverty, poor infrastructure, and limited access to safe exercise spaces.
This combination makes inactivity especially dangerous, as sedentary lifestyles exacerbate all three burdens simultaneously.
Practical Strategies for Change
SA-GAPPAH advocates for simple, everyday movement rather than elite athleticism:
Taking the stairs instead of elevators.
Walking or cycling to work.
Stretching during office hours.
Household chores like hanging laundry or washing cars.
These small actions collectively reduce risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Policy Gaps and Implementation Challenges
Despite the urgency, South Africa lacks national targets for physical activity, and existing policies are poorly implemented. Experts argue that without government commitment, the initiative risks stagnation. SA-GAPPAH aims to bridge this gap by uniting healthcare professionals, educators, policymakers, and community leaders in a multi-sectoral approach.
Community and Workplace Engagement
Embedding fitness into daily life requires community-driven programs and workplace wellness initiatives. Examples include:
On-site fitness classes in offices.
Public campaigns encouraging active commuting.
School-based programs teaching children the importance of movement.
Such interventions not only improve health but also reduce absenteeism, boost productivity, and lower healthcare costs.
Conclusion
The launch of SA-GAPPAH marks a turning point in South Africa’s fight against inactivity and lifestyle-related diseases. By reframing physical activity as a cost-effective medicine, the initiative seeks to transform healthcare, workplaces, and communities. The challenge now lies in implementation and sustained commitment, ensuring that movement becomes a national priority rather than an afterthought.
