Vuka Jozi Properties Inspires Employees to Embrace Running and Healthier Lifestyles

By Thembi Moyo

In Johannesburg’s inner city, where the demands of work and urban life can leave little time for physical activity, employees at Vuka Jozi Properties are showing how running can improve health, build discipline and bring colleagues together.

What began in 2012 as a team-building exercise has developed into a running journey that has seen nine employees take part in the iconic Comrades Marathon, while others participate in races ranging from 5km events to full marathons. Charlton Dolly, senior property manager at Vuka Jozi Properties, said the initiative started when the company’s manager, Mike, looked for ways to bring employees together through a shared activity.

Mike registered staff members for the Night Race in Johannesburg, giving everyone, from caretakers and cleaners to maintenance staff and management, an opportunity to participate. The first event was a 10km race, but it sparked an interest in running that continued to grow over the years. “What started as a team-building exercise has grown into something much bigger. We now have nine guys who have run the Comrades Marathon,” said Dolly.

The employees have progressed from shorter races to half-marathons, full marathons and ultra-distance events. Some have also participated in the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town, while others have taken on the Comrades Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal. Dolly said the running initiative has encouraged employees to become more active and pay greater attention to their health and general well-being.

For some, running has also provided a positive alternative to spending weekends in pubs, replacing old habits with training, exercise and participation in sporting events. One of the employees whose life has changed through running is France, 64, who decided to take up the sport after realising that he was getting older and needed to pay closer attention to his health.

France said he became concerned that some of his lifestyle habits were not good for his health, particularly with conditions such as diabetes in mind. He decided to make changes, starting with shorter distances before gradually increasing the kilometres he could run. What began as an effort to improve his health soon became something he genuinely enjoyed.

He progressed from running 10km races to completing 42.2km marathons and eventually taking on the demanding Comrades Marathon. Today, running is an important part of his life. He said it makes him feel good, keeps him active and gives him something positive to focus on.

For France, the benefits go beyond physical fitness. He believes running also helps with mental well-being by keeping people occupied and giving them a constructive way to spend their time.

His journey shows that it is possible to make positive lifestyle changes at any age, provided one is willing to start somewhere and remain committed.

France also encouraged young people to participate in sport, saying it can help them develop discipline, maintain healthy lifestyles and avoid negative influences. “Sport is good for young people. It keeps you busy and helps you stay on the right track instead of getting involved in the wrong things,” was his message.

Although the Vuka Jozi employees generally train individually because of their different schedules and personal goals, they come together to participate in races. After completing an event, they spend time together before returning to their daily routines.

Dolly said the company previously sponsored race entries for employees, covering events ranging from 10km races to half-marathons. Although financial constraints have affected its ability to sponsor every race, the company continues to support employees participating in the Comrades Marathon. The Comrades Marathon, one of South Africa’s best-known ultra-distance races, remains a major annual goal for the group.

Beyond the achievements of individual runners, Dolly hopes their experience will inspire more people living and working in Johannesburg’s inner city to become physically active. However, he acknowledged that safety concerns remain a challenge for people who want to run in the CBD, particularly early in the morning or during busy periods.

He believes organised running groups could help address some of these concerns by allowing people to exercise together rather than running alone. “If we can get five to 10 runners together and grow the running community within the inner city, it would be a positive thing,” he said. Dolly suggested that more running activities could be organised around the CBD to bring together residents, workers and businesses while encouraging people to explore Johannesburg’s landmarks through sport.Some running clubs already visit the inner city to run past landmarks such as the Nelson Mandela Bridge, offering participants an opportunity to experience the city from a different perspective.

He believes similar initiatives involving inner-city residents and workers could help build a stronger running culture, promote healthier lifestyles and encourage social interaction. For Vuka Jozi Properties, what began with a single team-building race has become an example of how workplace initiatives can encourage employees to adopt healthier habits and challenge themselves beyond their professional responsibilities.

As the runners continue to set new goals, their experience carries a message for the wider community getting active does not necessarily require expensive facilities or complicated programmes. Sometimes, it begins with taking the first step, making a commitment and finding the motivation to keep going.