Nkosizile Ndlovu
AT 77, Sebenzile Mlotshwa had almost given up hope of ever bathing, dressing and walking comfortably on her own.
The retired Zimbabwe National Army officer struggled to put on her socks and shoes and feared her health was deteriorating.
Today, she says she has a new lease on life, thanks to free exercise sessions at Mountain View Fitness Gym in Lobengula West, Bulawayo.
“I honestly thought I was seriously ill. There was a time when I could not even put on my socks or shoes on my own, and bathing had become difficult. I had almost given up on my health because I could no longer walk properly,” she said.
“Since I started coming here, I have noticed a remarkable change in my body. I can now move around more freely and do things that I had struggled to do before.
“This gym is more than a hospital to me because it has given me hope again. I encourage other elderly people to come and exercise. We should not simply sit at home and think that nothing can be done about our health. I can now feel that I am alive again.”
Mlotshwa is among a growing number of senior citizens attending the community initiative established in March last year by fitness coach and Harsh Torch Dance Group proprietor Thulani “Thuts” Dube.
While younger members pay US$5 a month towards equipment and facility improvements, elderly residents exercise free of charge.
For 76-year-old Gilbert Ncube, who joined two months ago, the sessions have improved his sense of well-being and encouraged him to remain active.
“I used to experience problems with my stomach, which was frequently bloated, and it made me uncomfortable,” he said.
“Since I started exercising, I have felt better and I am now able to do some of the things that I had stopped doing. At my age, you may think that you should simply slow down and accept every difficulty that comes with getting older, but this place has shown me that keeping active is important.”
63-year-old Sibusisiwe Masuku said she previously became tired walking even short distances but had since adopted a more active routine and started paying attention to her diet.
“Since joining this gym, I have noticed positive changes. I have also learnt that exercise alone is not enough; what we eat matters as well,” she said.
“I now make an effort to come every day because I want to remain active and look after my health.”
Retired Bulawayo City Council employee Stephen Mloyi, 67, said the gym had helped him overcome inactivity after retiring two years ago. “I was no longer as active as I used to be, and I began experiencing joint pains,” he said.
“Coming here has encouraged me to start moving again. I feel that I can now walk more freely, and the exercises have given me something positive to look forward to every morning.”
Dube, 43, said he started the gym after a frightening health scare prompted him to think about the importance of fitness and community well-being.
“I had disembarked from a kombi at Hyper and was walking towards 13th Avenue when I suddenly felt extremely tired. I was sweating profusely and struggling to breathe properly,” he said.
“That experience made me think deeply about my health and what I could do to help myself and other people in the community. That is when I decided to establish Mountain View Fitness Gym.”
Dube said the initiative was designed to make exercise accessible to people who could not afford gym membership, particularly senior citizens.
“My main focus is on the elderly. I am not doing this for money or personal gain. I want to see our elderly people living healthier lives and remaining active for as long as possible,” he said.
Dube also encourages members to adopt balanced diets and healthier lifestyles.
Beyond the physical workouts, the sessions give elderly residents an opportunity to socialise, share experiences and encourage one another to stay active.
Despite his varied professional interests, he says the gym remains a personal commitment to community service.
For Mlotshwa, the biggest reward is regaining confidence in her ability to carry out everyday tasks.
“I can now feel that I am alive again,” she said.
