Bonnington South Constituency, represented by Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe, hosted a major community focused health event in partnership with Theopathy Elderly Care Association at the Mma-Masire Grounds. The Lifestyle & Culinary Medicine Health Expo brought residents together for a day centered on prevention, education, and practical health awareness. The event carried the theme “Back to the Roots, Forward with Health,” which guided all activities throughout the day. It positioned health not as a clinic based service only, but as a daily lifestyle choice shaped by food, movement, and habits. The expo also showed strong collaboration between community health partners and local leadership. It created a space where families could access services without cost barriers.
The event included free health screenings that focused on blood pressure, glucose levels, and general wellness checks for residents of all ages. Community members also attended cooking demonstrations that highlighted healthier ways of preparing traditional meals using locally available ingredients. Food stalls were supported by partners such as Karong Clinics, Foundation for Vitality, and GBS Health and Wellness, which added practical demonstrations and nutritional advice. A strong message from the event emphasized that non communicable diseases are rising due to lifestyle patterns that can be changed with consistent action. Medical expert Sara Schwanke Khilji shared that one in three Batswana lives with high blood pressure, making early screening critical. She also introduced the DREAMS framework, which focuses on Diet, Relationships, Exercise, Avoidance, Mental health, and Sleep as key drivers of long term health. Her message encouraged residents to take early action instead of waiting for symptoms to appear.
A highlight of the day came through the community races, where Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe joined children in the event, drawing strong support from the crowd. The participation added energy and reinforced the importance of physical activity as part of everyday health. Residents viewed the leadership presence as a sign of commitment to practical, community level engagement in public health. Discussions throughout the expo reinforced that lifestyle diseases can be managed and even reversed when people adopt consistent healthy habits. The event also showed how education and healthcare services can work together in the same space to improve awareness. Families left with both information and direct access to services that support healthier living choices.
Bonnington South Constituency continues to position itself as a model for community driven health awareness and preventive care. The partnership between local leadership and organizations like TECA demonstrated how coordinated efforts can reach large groups of residents effectively. The focus on accessible screenings, nutrition education, and physical activity created a practical approach to tackling non communicable diseases. The expo also strengthened the message that health outcomes improve when communities are actively involved in their own wellbeing. By linking tradition with modern health knowledge, the event encouraged long term lifestyle change rather than short term intervention. Bonnington South continues to move toward a healthier and more informed population through consistent community engagement.
