Written by: Venal Naidu and Elizabeth Kunene

The aerobics marathon, one of the key features of the Essence Festival took place at Durban’s New Beach on Saturday.

Skilled instructors from local communities facilitated action fun and action-packed routines such as kick boxing, step dancing, pilates, yoga and any more for hundreds of people who were in attendance.

Sbahle Mpisane, fitness specialist and one of the instructors on the day, was quite excited to be a part of a massive festival.

“The essence is amazing. It’s uniting everyone in Durban and I’m very excited to be here and be part of it as well,” said Mpisane.

Mpisane also stressed the importance of exercise in living a healthy life.

“Exercising is a lifestyle it’s not seasonal; it’s something everyone should be practicing right now, eat well, love yourself, it’s as simple as taking medication when you sick,” explained Mpisane.

Irsla Magwagwa from AFA Aerobics Club in Pretoria said that traveling all the way for the festival was definitely worth it.

“Being at the essence festival is very nice you experience different people, different vibe, different music, we enjoying ourselves we training hard,” said Magwagwa.

Magwagwa also hopes that this marathon will eventually attract thousands of people as to come and attend as she is an aerobics coach in training herself

“If you are not attending any events at the essence festival you are missing out because I am here having fun and getting fit,” exclaimed Magwagwa.

Thembinkosi Ngcobo, head of parks and recreation said that this event is all thanks to the Department of Sport and Recreation.

“The Sports and Recreational Department are influential in putting this aerobics marathon together just like the how the other departments have their major events, this is a major event from the sports department, because sport is also important,” said Ngcobo.

The Essence Festival will end on Sunday 1^st of October with a concert.

*Caption: People working out at Essence Festival Aerobics Marathon.