Keeping Fit and Healthy with Morati & Makadi

This Women’s Month,?Infrastructure News?focuses on the importance of women’s health and wellness with the Deputy Director, Strategy and Messaging from the Directorate, External Communications, Morati Sethabela and Makadi Raseone, the Deputy Director in Employee Health and Wellness Programme (EHWP) at the Department of Infrastructure Development. Women experience various health illnesses. It is important to focus on preventative measures such as regular health screenings, making conscious food and lifestyle changes and to be informed about common medical illnesses.

Morati is a fitness guru and advocate for living a??healthy lifestyle. Her health and fitness journey started after she gave birth to her first child through??caesarean section in 2009. She was concerned by her postpartum belly that and made the decision to do something about it. Morati shatters the stigma surrounding women’s fitness. Morati shared that she began her fitness journey with light exercises and daily walks, then gradually started to lift weights and??became more body conscious. She views fitness as a lifestyle choice. Due to her healthier lifestyle, her second pregnancy went more smoothly, and she was able to give birth naturally without any complications.

Morati believes that most women wrongfully accept that postpartum bodies are irreversible. “Some women do not see the need for a healthier lifestyle, they are usually inspired to look after themselves after a tragedy occurs, such as a divorce. As a woman, I demonstrate to other women that you do not need tragedies to inspire change. It is important to love and look after ourselves and our bodies as it boosts confidence and makes you feel good. I understand my body. I love my shape. I am healthy and I am happy”, she said. Morati admits that at the age of 39,??it is difficult to balance being a mother, wife, career woman with a rigorous fitness regime.??However, she makes time as she is passionate about health and fitness.

Makadi??highlights the importance of mental and physical health??amongst women. She encourages women to get regular health check-ups, “I personally go for check-ups every six months. The sooner you know about potential issues, the better”, said Makadi. According to a recent study by the Medical Research Council, women experience unique health issues and conditions and are more likely to be diagnosed with certain diseases than men. Chronic diseases and conditions such as heart, cancer and diabetes are the leading cause of death for women. Makadi also assists in programmes where women are educated about female-related diseases. The Sub Directorate, EHWP receives a directive on health and wellness from the Department of Public Services and Administration (DPSAP) which provides HIV-related services for young women, expands existing mother-to-child transmission services, including contraception, fertility services, reducing unwanted pregnancies and HIV prevention services in uninfected pregnant women. “I am happy that many women attend the Health and Wellness Programmes held in our Department. Women are less skeptical and eager to learn about health and wellness, which is something that goes a long way”, said Makadi.