THEMBALETHU – Thousands of community members in the Nkangala District were urged to prioritise regular health screenings and “not miss a beat” as the Mpumalanga Department of Health commemorated World Heart Day in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
The event, held in partnership with the National Department of Health and various health stakeholders, formed part of a global campaign to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
This year's commemoration was held under the global theme, “Don’t Miss a Beat”, encouraging people to prioritise their heart health, as heart disease can often go unnoticed due to a lack of obvious symptoms.
Speaking at the event, Mpumalanga Health MEC Sasekani Manzini said the campaign aimed to encourage communities to take responsibility for their heart health through prevention and early detection.
“We call on all members of the community to see the signs and protect their hearts, particularly because many cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors can be prevented or managed,” Manzini said.
She warned that many residents were living with undiagnosed high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol, which are major risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.
“As the Health Department, we are taking this message directly to our communities: Let us normalise health checks. Do not wait until you are seriously ill before you visit a health facility. Know your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and other key health indicators, and seek professional advice when something is not right,” she said.
Community members attending the event received free health screenings and education on healthier lifestyles, including regular exercise, healthy eating, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, and adhering to prescribed treatment.
Manzini emphasised that early detection was essential in preventing avoidable deaths, urging residents to make regular health checks part of their lives.
“A simple health check today can help identify a risk early, create an opportunity for timely intervention and ultimately save a life. Let us make prevention a way of life, let us protect our hearts and keep the beat,” she said.
Residents welcomed the initiative, saying it had helped them better understand the importance of monitoring their health.
Jabulani Hlatswayo (44), from Thembalethu, said the event had changed his understanding of regular health screenings and encouraged him to take his health more seriously.
“I’ve been fearing going to check my health status because I always thought that health status is only for HIV and other transmitted diseases, not knowing that it also concerns me to know about my health. Therefore, now I will start taking my health seriously and make a point of quitting smoking because it is not good for my lungs, kidneys and heart,” he said.
The World Heart Day commemoration in Thembisile Hani formed part of the department's ongoing efforts to bring primary healthcare services closer to rural communities in the Nkangala District and across Mpumalanga.
