The health and wellness of staff contribute significantly to the successful functioning of the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The annual Staff Wellness Day was back on Friday, 5 May 2023, after a three year break during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year it was bigger and better.
The Human Resources Department says it hosts the day as part of a more comprehensive and integrated health and wellness approach.
The COVID-19 pandemic had an immense impact on UWC staff and students. Subsequently, there has been a significant rise in mental health concerns. With Wellness Day as one component of its wellness programme, the University aims to provide staff with a day of fun, access to information, proactive health screening and engagement with their colleagues away from their normal work environment.
UWC strives to promote all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in this instance paid close attention to SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being. A healthy mind and body often lead to a healthy work ethic and good productivity within the workspace, says the HR Department
Wellness Day took place on the UWC cricket oval, as well as the netball and basketball courts on the grounds of the Main Campus in Bellville.
Staff Wellness Day included physical, mental and even financial wellbeing activities, including::
Mr Umesh Bawa, Director of International Relations, said: “The Wellness Day 2023 aptly reflected UWC’s values of collegiality, passion, commitment to collective engagement and focused determination. It was wonderful both to see and experience the effervescence of UWC comradeship on the day after the long period of COVID-induced isolation.”
Prof Michelle Esau, Dean of EMS, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed attending Wellness Day for the first time since 2019. It was a day that encouraged different forms of social interaction amongst colleagues across sectors of the university. Although competition drove participation in the various activities, the bottom line was fun, fun and more fun! I had the opportunity to connect with colleagues, laugh lots, catch up, and participate in the spirit dance, although we didn’t win the cup - probably because of my lack of flexibility. However, our colleagues brought home the cricket cup. Go EMS, go! A well organised day. Thank you HR!”
Other participants said it was the single largest wellness day at UWC since its inception, with about 1 700 staff members attending.
Men’s Tug-of-war award: Risk and Compliance Department
Women’s Tug-of-war award: Human Resources Department
Volleyball: Faculty of Dentistry
Netball: DVC: Student Development Support
Women’s Cricket: Faculty of Natural Sciences
Men’s Cricket: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Mixed Cricket: DVC: Research and Innovation
Human Foosball: Faculty of Natural Sciences
Dominoes: Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
Chess: Faculty of Law - Siyakhudumisa Mbendeni
See images of the day's winners in the gallery below...
The Human Resources Department says it hosts the day as part of a more comprehensive and integrated health and wellness approach.
The COVID-19 pandemic had an immense impact on UWC staff and students. Subsequently, there has been a significant rise in mental health concerns. With Wellness Day as one component of its wellness programme, the University aims to provide staff with a day of fun, access to information, proactive health screening and engagement with their colleagues away from their normal work environment.
UWC strives to promote all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in this instance paid close attention to SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being. A healthy mind and body often lead to a healthy work ethic and good productivity within the workspace, says the HR Department
Wellness Day took place on the UWC cricket oval, as well as the netball and basketball courts on the grounds of the Main Campus in Bellville.
Staff Wellness Day included physical, mental and even financial wellbeing activities, including::
- Health screening: CANSA offered breast examination, prostate specific antigen tests and mole analysis; the dentistry mobile clinic offered dental screening; and the CHS Wellness truck offered biokinetics and dietetics advice. Representatives from Discovery and Sizwe medical aids were also on hand to offer staff expert advice.
- Financial Wellness: Provided by Old Mutual, Financial, Momentum, SFP, IMAS.
- Entertainment: by way of alumnus Chad Saaiman, various bands, spirit dances, Zumba sessions and fun games like egg and spoon races, bean bag tossing, hop scotch and giant jenga.
- Sport Activities: Included tug-of-war, cricket, netball, human foosball, volleyball, chess and dominoes.
Mr Umesh Bawa, Director of International Relations, said: “The Wellness Day 2023 aptly reflected UWC’s values of collegiality, passion, commitment to collective engagement and focused determination. It was wonderful both to see and experience the effervescence of UWC comradeship on the day after the long period of COVID-induced isolation.”
Prof Michelle Esau, Dean of EMS, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed attending Wellness Day for the first time since 2019. It was a day that encouraged different forms of social interaction amongst colleagues across sectors of the university. Although competition drove participation in the various activities, the bottom line was fun, fun and more fun! I had the opportunity to connect with colleagues, laugh lots, catch up, and participate in the spirit dance, although we didn’t win the cup - probably because of my lack of flexibility. However, our colleagues brought home the cricket cup. Go EMS, go! A well organised day. Thank you HR!”
Other participants said it was the single largest wellness day at UWC since its inception, with about 1 700 staff members attending.
The list of trophy winners are:
Spirit Dance Award: Office of the RegistrarMen’s Tug-of-war award: Risk and Compliance Department
Women’s Tug-of-war award: Human Resources Department
Volleyball: Faculty of Dentistry
Netball: DVC: Student Development Support
Women’s Cricket: Faculty of Natural Sciences
Men’s Cricket: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Mixed Cricket: DVC: Research and Innovation
Human Foosball: Faculty of Natural Sciences
Dominoes: Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
Chess: Faculty of Law - Siyakhudumisa Mbendeni
See images of the day's winners in the gallery below...
