Press release -
Sports Minister announces running shoes donation initiative at Discovery Vitality Run Series kick-off
Johannesburg, 3 February 2025 – The Discovery Vitality Run Series (VRS) is officially underway, following a successful first event, the Olympic Spartan Harriers Firgrove Challenge with Discovery Vitality, held in the Western Cape. The race saw thousands of runners take to the streets this past weekend, marking the start of an exciting season of 16 events designed to get South Africans moving.
This year’s launch was attended by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting physical activity for all South Africans. In an inspiring address, the Minister announced the Discovery Vitality pre-loved or new running shoe donation initiative - to collect and distribute shoes to communities in need, ensuring that more South Africans partake in the excitement and benefits of being physically active.
Minister Gayton McKenzie said: “Many people in our country do not have running shoes due to high levels of poverty. I have therefore partnered with Discovery Vitality to launch a running shoe drive.”
With an initial target of 25,000 pairs of running shoes, Minister McKenzie has pledged his support to help push the goal to an ambitious 100,000 pairs by December 2025. South Africans can contribute by donating their pre-loved or new running shoes at any Vitality Run Series event throughout the year or Discovery Stores nationwide (Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg).
Dinesh Govender, CEO of Discovery Vitality, welcomed the initiative, saying: " Every pair of donated shoes represents an opportunity for someone to step into an active lifestyle. The Discovery Vitality Run Series is about making running accessible and fun for everyone, so this initiative is a natural extension of our core purpose. Working with Minister McKenzie on the Discovery Vitality running shoe initiative aligns perfectly with our goal of removing barriers to physical activity and enabling healthier communities throughout the country.”
Since its inception, the Vitality Run Series has provided a platform for runners and walkers of all levels to participate in well-organised races across the country. Whether experienced runners chasing personal bests or beginners taking their first steps towards a healthier lifestyle, the series offers a welcoming and supportive environment.
"Running is a gateway to better health, and the Vitality Run Series has proven this year after year,” Dr Mosima Mabunda, Vitality’s Chief Clinical Officer, said. “Seeing government support for the initiative is incredibly motivating. We encourage everyone to get involved, whether by running or donating, to help make South Africans healthier."
At its core, the Vitality Run Series is about getting South Africans active. Discovery Vitality’s research shows that regular physical activity improves overall health, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and improves mental wellbeing. Through initiatives like this, Discovery Vitality continues to drive its mission of making South Africans healthier - one run, one race, and now, one running shoe donation at a time.
Join a Vitality Run Series event near you and be part of the movement towards a healthier South Africa. See the full schedule here: https://www.discovery.co.za/vitality/vitality-run-series-2025
For more detail on Discovery stores: https://www.discovery.co.za/corporate/discovery-store
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About Discovery
Discovery Limited is a South African-founded financial services organisation that operates in the healthcare, life assurance, short-term insurance, banking, savings and investment and wellness markets. Since inception in 1992, Discovery has been guided by a clear core purpose – to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. This has manifested in its globally recognised Vitality Shared-Value insurance model, active in over 40 markets with over 40 million members. The model is exported and scaled through the Global Vitality Network, an alliance of some of the largest insurers across key markets including AIA (Asia), Ping An (China), Generali (Europe), Sumitomo (Japan), John Hancock (US), Manulife (Canada) and Vitality Life & Health (UK, wholly owned). Discovery trades on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange as DSY.
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About Vitality
Vitality is part of Discovery Limited, a worldwide insurer and investment manager impacting more than 30 million lives in over 40 markets, across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Vitality pioneered the ‘shared-value’ insurance model, a unique approach based on the scientifically proven principles of behavioural economics. Through this model, Vitality helps members take a more active role in managing their own wellness, encouraging them to develop healthy long-term habits that are good for them, good for the company and good for society. The effect is positive for all stakeholders – members benefit from better health, financial rewards and additional incentives; employers benefit from healthier, more productive, and more engaged employees; and Vitality benefits from a healthier membership base.
