Another door opening (3 Oct)

The miracle of another door

Walk Day 3

© Jean du Plessis, 30 September 2025

It had all seemed so obvious to me: the potential of an operational synergy between our Blocktober movement against gender-based violence in partnership with the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children (SBC), and the work of the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA), based in Newlands. Amongst the ideas I floated, to anyone willing to listen, were: linking SSISA running groups to our fund-raising October ascents to the Blockhouse? Or perhaps solidarity spinning sessions? If not that, what about the swimmers? No? … In truth, I was becoming rather desperate.

These frantic thoughts had much to do with my own internal turmoil since that moment, in late February, just ten days before the 2025 Cape Cycle Tour, when an impatient driver smashed into me and my bicycle from behind, causing multiple fractures requiring complicated surgery, months in hospital and an extended convalescence. Prominent amongst the many negative results of this trauma, was the realization that, come October I would not be able to do my usual 31 Blocktober solidarity mountain biking ascents from Newlands to the King’s Blockhouse. What could I do to compensate for this? Was I letting down the annual awareness- and fundraising campaign that I co-founded in 2020? What, if any, role could I play to help making it as successful as last year?

Each of my increasingly unrealistic new ideas came to nothing, until the day I knocked and walked, impulsively and without appointment, into the office of Marvin Jacobs, the Fitness Centre Manager at the SSISA gym, introduced myself and gave him my 7-minute pitch. A huge presence in a tiny office, Marvin listened attentively and, to my surprise and delight, responded with enthusiasm to the idea of some form of collaboration. He promptly contacted Ruben Coetzee, a colleague in SSISA’s Community Health Intervention Programmes (CHIPs), and a more formal meeting was arranged.

Silverton CHIPS in action

 Within minutes of meeting Ruben, I sensed he was the ideal contact. He explained that “the CHIPs programme was established way back in 1997 and is still going strong”. With the primary aim, through its OptiFit and OptiFit Lite models, of addressing the growing prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol, the CHIPs programme has eight active OptiFit branches located in Delft, Elsies River, Grassy Park, Kuils River, Matroosfontein and Silvertown. What impressed me most about Ruben’s approach, was his understanding that “fitness is not about money and cool equipment, as those can disappear and/or break down remarkably quickly. Much more important for long-term success is bottom-up community organization and collaboration.”

 As we communicated over the following days, drawing others into the conversation along the way, an idea began to form. “What about working towards establishing an OptiFit branch at SBC, for both residents and staff?” This could have multiple benefits, including improvement of health and fitness, possibly provide opportunities for outgoing SBC residents to join other OptiFit branches, improve enjoyment of the regular Blocktober solidarity walks on Table Mountain, etc. Furthermore, “what about at the same time involving some of the CHIPs programmes in the monthly Newlands Forest solidarity walks with SBC, as well as the more challenging weekly walks during the upcoming Blocktober campaign?”

 We agreed our next step would be a site visit to test some of these ideas with both CHIPs members and the Saartjie Baartman Centre, which explains how I found myself in a van last Wednesday, 20 August 2025, driving to Silvertown, a suburb on the Cape Flats I had never even heard of. With me were Ruben and Lala Steyn, one of my Blocktober associates, and we were to be joined at the Silvertown Community Centre by the Director of SBC, Bernadine Bachar, plus a member of her staff who organizes the Blocktober / SBC solidarity walks. While driving, Ruben told us that “the Silvertown OptiFit outreach branch is one of the most active of all the partners, with a morning and evening class held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Membership costs a mere R30 per month. Costs can be kept low as the hall is made available free of charge by the City of Cape Town”.

Silverton CHIPs meet Saartjie Baartman and Blocktober

As we approached and parked outside the hall, we saw small groups of women in matching gym outfits walking around the block, warming up for the exertions to come. We entered a hall with high ceilings and ample light coming in via rows of windows, the string of neon lights on the ceiling redundant during the day. The walls were painted creamy yellow from ceiling down to eye-level, and maroon from there down to the floor, with numerous brown double-doors, one of which remained wide open to the outside, and another leading into to a reception area with a door to an office and, next to that a poster on “CITY VALUES” on the wall. The windows and floor of the hall were beautifully clean, even if the floor was somewhat scuffed, in spite of signs on the wall asking everyone to “PLEASE STACK CHAIRS”, as well as “DO NOT PULL CHAIRS, PICK CHAIRS UP”. Stacks of maroon chairs along the walls, and the inevitable regulation fire extinguishers and EXIT signs, completed the picture.

We were warmly (if rather hurriedly) greeted by the exercise leaders, who were busy unlocking a locker room and laying out mats, stepping boards and chairs. Three of them had whistles around their necks, which one started blowing to alert the participants to gather. Their gym outfits consisted of navy-blue trainers with white soles, black exercise pants, navy-blue sweatshirts (with a SSISA badge on the right and a CHIPs badge on the left), lighter blue peak caps with “SILVERTOWN CHIPS” proudly displayed in white letters; and, for some, a black scarf covering their hair.

 Soon the last of the walkers had joined, their leaders getting them ready and in line, everyone with a clear role, and us the visitors barely noticed after that initial “hello and welcome”. Their activities had the reassuring feel of a tested, well-organized, enjoyable routine that simply worked. Everyone started off with a series of stretches, and the various ensuing exercises were diligently performed and visibly enjoyed by the forty participants. There were three groups, each with their own coach and doing a distinct routine, but all to the same rhythmic music. The front group just used mats, the middle group had mats and stepping boards, and the back group used just chairs. At points some participants switched groups, though one’s ability to switch seemed to depend on one’s fitness level.

 To end off the props were quickly cleared, and everyone joined together in a final aerobic dance routine to the sound of drums and cymbals, ending with much laughter and clapping of hands. The entire experience was a pleasure, no, actually a privilege to witness, and we could not help but try to move along with the beat, although sadly I have to admit we were more ‘out of’ than ‘in’ step. What is certain is that this was no prepared show put on just for our benefit. We happened to be present on just another morning of their regular event; which would take place again that evening, then again on the Friday morning and evening. (We were told that the evening sessions do include men.) And so on, again and again, six events per week, 24 per month, throughout the year.

For a wonderful moment, on that day at the Silverton Community Centre, with those energised and committed women doing such wholesome activities, regularly and in unison, in spite of undoubtedly tough lives and plagued by much poverty, crime and other challenges, it all made sense to me again. “Surely”, I wished aloud, “this can help to carry us forward in the urgent but seemingly unwinnable struggle against gender-based violence. Surely, another door is opening. Even if I cannot do my Blocktober ascents up the mountain this coming October, there are clearly other ways for me to support”.

And, as if to reinforce these thoughts, the following internet post appeared on the CHIPs Facebook page, a mere few hours after the conclusion of our Silvertown visit. Written and posted by Ruben Coetzee of SSISA, with pictures in support, it was clear to me that yes, another door was definitely opening. Ruben’s post is worth quoting in full:

 “The power of collaboration is truly transformative. When we unite diverse perspectives and skills, we ignite innovation and create success that goes far beyond what individuals can achieve alone. This morning, the Saartjie Baartman Center in Manenberg, with some of their Blocktober supporters, visited our Silvertown OptiFit Outreach branch to see first-hand how our OptiFit and OptiFit Lite models are empowering communities through trained leaders. Inspired by this partnership, our vision is to expand our model and establish an OptiFit branch at the Saartjie Baartman Center, with plans to launch the Saartjie Baartman OptiFit programme later this year—aligning with the 16 Days of Activism for no violence against women and children. The Saartjie Baartman Center does incredible work supporting women and children survivors of abuse, and through our CSR initiative, CHIPs (Community Health Intervention Programme), the Sports Science Institute is proud to collaborate in advancing this vital mission. Together, we are driving meaningful change and strengthening our communities.”[1]

SSISA and Saartjie Baartman are working towards the launch of the OptiFit branch at the Saartjie Baartman Centre. 

 

Read other blogs in the series

October Walk Details in Cape Town

• Date: 4 October 16.30 pm
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Duration: 2.5hrs, 7.5km
• Tabelberg Rd route to Blockhouse: Click this PIN for starting point.
• Click here to join future walks.  

 

 

 

 

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[1]  Sourced on 20 August 2024 at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AthCTUXoT/.