Westville Campus Colour Run

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More than 500 students participated in a “Colour Run” and other entertainment held at UKZN’s Westville campus to encourage interaction between students through sport and fun games which was not possible during the pandemic.

Students were enthusiastic not only about the main men’s and women’s races race but also other offerings such as the indigenous board games magalopha/mgusha and dikelo; three tins; skipping; 30 seconds; morabaraba, and snakes and ladders.

The 5km route started at the Main Hall (MH Joosub Hall), runners set-off at 8:30 am went up the road and turned at the Bio Centre, went behind G Block all the way past the Hindu Centre went down the RMS Bridge (got splashed with powder paint), winded down by P Block to the Sport Centre and up to the finish line on the soccer field.

Beside fun, there was also a more serious side to the event. Organised by the Department of Student Residence Affairs (DSRA) in collaboration with Campus HIV and AIDS Support Units (CHASU), the aim was to promote positive living through academic success and health wellness.

Ms Lerato Khoali, Residence Life Coordinator at DSRA said: ‘Residence life is all about the well-being of students. This programme seeks to foster a sense of interconnectedness and belonging for all students in residences.

‘We wanted to assist students relax and be entertained and also promote well-being in collaboration with CHASU,’ said Khoadi.

Commenting on the event, Health Promoter at CHASU Mrs Hlengiwe Ngubane said: ‘The aim was to encourage positive living and make students aware of the need to take care of their bodies. Good health is very important - students cannot study properly if they are unhealthy.’ She encouraged students to go for screenings for blood pressure, HIV, diabetes, and other issues.

The 5km race route symbolised a run around the campus. The men’s race was won by Mr Sphelele Mtambo of the Crystal Valley Residence and the women’s race by Ms Lusanda Luyeleyele of the Millarosa Residence.

Residence Assistant at S Block Ms Phethego Makaleng said: ‘Before COVID we organised these sorts of things quite regularly, so DSRA and CHASU decided to stage the fun to give those who have not experienced the event before because of the virus, a chance to see what it is all about.

‘As a former runner myself I know how it feels to be part of this kind of thing - there’s so much emotions and happiness - there’s too much fun in this thing,’ said Makaleng.

Sponsors included Red Bull, Vodacom and ABSA.

Words: Zama Khoza

Photographs: Albert Hirasen and Sethu Dlamini