Closed Project

Western Cape on Wellness (WoW!)

Project Description

Western Cape on Wellness (WoW!) is a wellness-promoting platform advocating the self-management of health. The Health Foundation is a partner of the project which was developed by the Western Cape Government Health (WCGH) to foster healthy lifestyles by promoting increased physical activity, healthy eating and weight management.

Physical inactivity, unhealthy eating and obesity are considered major risk factors for diseases like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In the Western Cape, NCDs accounted for 60% of deaths for males and females between 2009 and 2013, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in 2013 (Morden et al, 2016).

WoW! takes a collaborative partnership approach, working multi-sectorally (with “all of government” and “all of society”) and multi-modally (incorporating various methods). WoW! has co-developed, tested, evaluated and institutionalised a healthy lifestyle initiative that follows a people-centred life course approach (from pre-pregnancy to senior citizens).

The project promotes healthy lifestyles across multiple settings, including worksites, primary healthcare facilities, schools, and community and public spaces through:

  • Partnerships with site-specific organisations offering physical, health-related, wellbeing and sports and culture activities, and
  • Awareness campaigns using communication tools and activations and knowledge management tools.
WoW! wellness champions

WoW! wellness champions

Accessible Wheelchair Mats- Mobi-mat launch, Muizenberg Beach

Accessible Wheelchair Mats- Mobi-mat launch, Muizenberg Beach

Accessible Wheelchair Mats- Mobi-mat launched on International Wheelchair Day, Muizenberg Beach

Accessible Wheelchair Mats- Mobi-mat launched on International Wheelchair Day, Muizenberg Beach

Biokineticist and wellness specialist, Sibekezelo Myaka promoting a healthy lifestyle in the Western Cape

Biokineticist and wellness specialist, Sibekezelo Myaka promoting a healthy lifestyle in the Western Cape

Biokineticist and wellness specialist, Sibekezelo Myaka promoting a healthy lifestyle

Biokineticist and wellness specialist, Sibekezelo Myaka promoting a healthy lifestyle

Goals/Outcomes

The WoW! project aims to reduce the NCD risk profile of Western Cape citizens and decrease the healthcare burden in the Western Cape.

Partners

WoW! partners include:

Transversal and Inter-Governmental partnering

The Western Cape Provincial Government, Local Government, and National Government: Eskom/Eskom Western Cape, Transport/Metrorail Western Cape, and PRASA CRES.

Cross-sector partnering

Academia: Cape Peninsula University of Technology, North-West University, University of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch, University of the Western Cape

Private: Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies, Capsicum Culinary Studio, Caring Network, Chrysalis Academy, Coconut Jazz, CoCT (City of Cape Town), Consulate General of India, CPUT (Cape Town University of Technology), DeafSA, Die Son, Eskom, Fresh Life Produce, Fuller Music, Green Monday SA, Heart & Stroke Foundation South Africa, Humane Society International, iKyaya Loxolo Old Age Home, Infection Control Africa Network (ICAN), Iziko Museums South Africa, Jazzart Dance Theatre, Keletso, Khet’Impilo, Livemax Media & Streaming, New Flats Langa, OCAL Global, Omega Bonteheuwel, Pain Management Unit Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Nutri-Reset, Perfect Fit 360, Pharma Dynamics, Philani, Proveg International, PAN South Africa, Qhubeka, Radio786, Rennie Property, Right to Care, Rusthof Old Age Home, RX Radio (Red Cross Children’s Hospital Radio) , SACLA, SASP (South African Society of Physiotherapy), SHAWCO, Sinovuyo Old Age, South African Health Qigong Association, SSISA (Sports Science Institute of South Africa), SUNWELL, Sweet Life, TB/HIV Care, The Health Foundation South Africa, The Mhani Gingi Trust, The Truth About Relationships, Touching Nations, Ubuntu Touch Project, Your Wellness Matters/44ten Media.

For more on WoW!

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/westerncape-on-wellness/background-wow

About SAPRIN

SAPRIN is a network of Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) nodes in South Africa, funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and hosted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). SAPRIN integrates three established HDSS nodes in South Africa, namely, MRC/Wits University Agincourt HDSS in Bushbuckridge District, Mpumalanga (1992); University of Limpopo DIMAMO HDSS in the Capricorn District of Limpopo (1996), and the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) HDSS in uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal (2000), linked to the University of KwaZulu-Natal to create a network of harmonised population-based cohorts for use by the wider research community and national policymakers.

To understand the particular challenges that urban communities face and the impact of rural-urban migration, SAPRIN has started expanding into urban areas. Along with C-SHARP, two other urban nodes have been established in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

Zodwa Velleman - The Health Foundation Board Member

Ms Zodwa Velleman

Group Executive: Regulatory and Corporate Affairs

Zodwa Velleman is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa with international experience in litigation, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and corporate and commercial law. She completed her articles at Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Africa (NSA) where she later worked as an associate, before joining Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, then ranked as the third-leading law firm in the United States.

She holds a B Juris and LLB from UWC and graduated cum laude from the GIBS Leadership Development Programme. She has also completed a short course in Public Policy at the London School of Economics.

Zodwa enjoys spending time with her family, mentoring young lawyers, and practising pottery.

Prof Lara Fairall

Prof Lara Fairall

Director of the Knowledge Translation Unit

Professor Lara Fairall is the Founding Director of the Knowledge Translation Unit (KTU). She left clinical medicine to join the UCT Lung Institute where she was charged with localising, implementing and evaluating a South African version of the WHO Practical Approach to Lung Health which became PALSA. Lara has led the expansion of PALSA to comprehensive primary healthcare across the life course, and its evolution into PACK. She has also established a partnership with the British Medical Journal (BMJ) to underpin the evidence base of the clinical recommendations made in PACK and to help spread PACK to other low middle-income countries (LMICs).

Lara is passionate about Universal Health Coverage and support for health workers to enable them to connect the communities they serve with the evidence-based care they need.

She is also an honorary Professor in the Department of Medicine at UCT and Professor and Chair in Global Healthcare Delivery at the King’s Global Health Institute at King’s College London.

Dr Japie du Toit

Dr Japie du Toit

Non-Executive Director

Senior Manager of Life Healthcare

Dr du Toit is a medical doctor and business graduate with extensive experience in the public and private health sectors. He has been involved in the Western Cape Department of Health, focusing on central hospital management, budget administration and facilitating public-private partnerships. In the private sector, he has worked as a specialist healthcare advisor at a leading consulting firm and is now with Life Healthcare, a private hospital group in South Africa.
Dr Mandla Moyo

Dr Mandla Moyo

Non-Executive Director

Chief Executive Officer of the Sports Science Institute

Dr Mandla Moyo is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and wellbeing. In addition to his role as Financial Director at National Health Group, he has worked with various healthcare organisations to advance this mission. Dr Moyo brings expertise in risk management, sustainability and governance, backed by 17 years of experience at Ernst & Young, a Big Four global advisory firm, where he served as a partner for 11 years. He has also acted as a strategic advisor to institutions across the public and private health sectors in the Western Cape. As a financial expert, his qualifications and professional memberships include Chartered Accountant (SA), MCom, BCompt [cum laude] (UNISA), Certificate in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). He also holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (Healthcare Management) from Liberty University, Virginia, USA. Mandla enjoys running and spending time outdoors with his family.
Mr Carl Liebenberg

Mr Carl Liebenberg

Non-Executive Director

Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Terayon Capital Partners

Carl Liebenberg has over 25 years of senior-level experience in financial services, spanning international tax, private banking, asset management and corporate finance. He has advised on equity and debt transactions in sub-Saharan Africa in sectors including waste management, retail, media, mining, ICT, financial services, infrastructure, clean energy and agriculture. Carl holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Finance and Economics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State and an MBA from the University of Cape Town.
Ms Letebele Jones

Ms Letebele Jones

Non-Executive Director

Communications Specialist

Letebele Masemola-Jones is a seasoned communications professional with extensive experience across various sectors, including film and television production, corporate communications in the oil and gas industry, international philanthropy and the legislative arm of the South African state. A global citizen with a diplomatic flair, she has travelled extensively across North and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Europe for professional and personal endeavours. These experiences have enabled her to break down communication barriers and successfully navigate diverse environments. Letebele is passionate about the power of communication to build, develop and transform lives across society. Educated in Zambia, the UK, Canada and the United States, she holds a Higher National Diploma, two degrees in Public Administration, Communications, and Film and Video, and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Boston University. Until the end of 2024, she served as the Communications and Engagement Manager for SKAO in South Africa.
Dr Reinder Nauta

Dr Reinder Nauta

Non-Executive Director

Founder and Managing Director of National Health Group

Dr Nauta is a healthcare entrepreneur who pioneered low-income capitation models in South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree from Stellenbosch University and furthered his studies in Primary Health Care Development at Mahidol University in Bangkok. With extensive executive-level experience in the healthcare industry, he currently serves as a director of Akacia Healthcare, a local, independent pharmaceutical manufacturer. Dr Nauta is the founder and former Managing Director of CareCross Health, one of South Africa’s leading GP networks and managed care companies. He is also a past chairman of Occupational Healthcare South Africa (OCSA) and CareWorks, a leading HIV/AIDS management company. Beyond the healthcare industry, Dr Nauta is pursuing a personal dream — managing his guest farm, Stanford Valley, in Overstrand.
Harry Grainger, CEO of The Health Foundation, 2025

Mr Harry Grainger

CEO of The Health Foundation
Harry Grainger is a visionary leader with over 30 years of experience in finance and strategic management. He began his career in accounting, gaining insight and mastering the fundamentals of business operations. This foundation led to a career-long journey in strategic management and executive leadership at various private and civic companies. As CEO of The Health Foundation, Harry is dedicated to long-term value creation, fostering a culture of innovation and driving sustainable growth. Outside the office, you’ll find Harry experimenting in the kitchen or tending to his garden.