Press release -
Discovery Vitality rallies South Africans to move more and give back this World Move for Health Day
Johannesburg, 12 May 2025 - In a powerful show of community and action, Discovery Vitality marked World Move for Health Day this weekend with a renewed push for its Give2Move initiative, a campaign encouraging people across South Africa to donate new or gently worn running and sports shoes to help others take their first steps towards a more active life. A host of new drop-off locations were also added, making it easy for people to support the drive.
The weekend’s activities included activations at selected parkruns across the country on Saturday and a Vitality Run Series race, The 2025 Checkstar Challenge with Vitality, on Sunday. Together, these events brought movement, motivation, and meaning to communities nationwide.
The Vitality Run Series, one of the country’s most accessible race events, remains a favourite among seasoned runners and newcomers alike, with distances designed for all fitness levels and a vibrant, supportive atmosphere.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie took part in the event at the KwaZulu-Natal leg of the Vitality Run Series on Sunday.
"Running has the power to change lives physically, emotionally, and socially. Giving someone the right shoes gives them that opportunity. I encourage all South Africans to open their hearts and their cupboards, and make a difference," said Minister McKenzie.
The day before, World Move for Health Day was celebrated at parkruns in key cities, where runners and walkers were encouraged to bring along shoes to donate. Parkrun venues like Delta Park in Johannesburg, saw inspiring support from the community.
Vitality CEO Dinesh Govender, who attended the Delta parkrun, emphasised the spirit of collective action.
"We often say that movement is medicine. But for many, the first step is the hardest, especially without the right gear. Vitality Give2Move is about making that first step easier. It is deeply moving to see South Africans come together in such a generous, joyful way."
South African marathon and ultra-marathon legend, Bruce Fordyce and his wife, Gill Fordyce, who has spearheaded parkrun in South Africa since its launch in 2012, donated running shoes at the Delta parkrun.
At the heart of Vitality Give2Move initiative is a simple idea: donate a pair of running or sports shoes and help someone else discover the life-changing joy of movement.
Dr Mosima Mabunda, Chief Clinical Officer at Discovery Vitality, said the initiative is rooted in the belief that physical activity should be accessible to everyone.
"Moving more is one of the most powerful prescriptions for better health. Through Vitality Give2Move, we are not only encouraging South Africans to get active but also making it easier for others to experience the joy of movement comfortably and enjoyably."
New or pre-loved running and sports and running shoes can be dropped off at the following locations across the country:
- All Discovery Stores nationwide. (Find your nearest Discovery Store)
- All events in the 2025 Vitality Run Series
- All Team Vitality tier 1 and 2 hospitality events on our Vitality Race Calendar
- The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Sechaba House, 202 Madiba Street, Pretoria and 120 Plein Street, Cape Town City Centre.
- Discovery Group offices across the country.
- Discovery Soccer Parks at Mall of Africa rooftop, Wanderers and Sandton.
- Selected Sportsmans Warehouse stores and Virgin Active clubs nationwide (Find your closest drop off point).
- Selected parkrun events countrywide
To learn more about Vitality Give2Move, where to donate, and how to get involved, visit: www.discovery.co.za/vitality/give2move
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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 the largest global platform for behaviour change, underpinning the insurance products of leading insurers worldwide, impacting 30 million lives in over 40 markets. The Vitality model, established by Discovery Limited in South Africa, has been incentivising behaviour change among its clients for over 25 years. Vitality creates shared value by combining behavioural economics, clinical science, and financial incentives to encourage and reward members for taking steps to improve their health. The model began with a focus on health and wellness and has expanded to include short-term insurance, investments, and financial wellness.
