A programme that rewards public healthcare users for making healthier choices was launched in the Western Cape over the weekend.

The pilot programme which incentivises activities promoting health, accessing care and preventing illness was launched in Westridge, Mitchells Plain, on Saturday 10 October.

Western Cape Health and Wellness MEC Mireille Wenger said the programme was the first of its kind in South Africa and was modelled on used by many private medical schemes.

“Prevention is better than cure, but making healthy choices is not always easy. Through WOW Rewards, we want to give people a little extra encouragement to take steps that can make a lasting difference to their health,” said Wenger.

Who can take part

The pilot is open to Mitchells Plain residents who use public healthcare facilities and are 18 and older. The programme will be extended to Knysna in early 2027.

The aim is to enrol up to 2 000 active participants across both locations to test the programme in city and rural settings.

How the rewards work

Participants can earn up to R100 worth of rewards every month for completing approved activities suited to their circumstances. These include:

• Booking pregnancy care before 20 weeks and attending scheduled visits;
• Taking part in approved community exercise sessions and recognised parkrun events;
• Taking part in weight monitoring;
• Keeping children’s routine vaccinations up to date;
• Collecting regular medication for long-term conditions on time;
• Completing short learning modules on pregnancy and caring for a newborn.

Once an activity has been verified, the reward will be issued through the Zlto digital platform. WOWRewards builds on the community networks of Western Cape on Wellness (WOW), working with Zlto and local partners to help residents register and take part.

Learning as they go

Chief operating officer for the provincial Department of Health and Wellness Dr Saadiq Kariem said the initiative aims to encourage healthy behaviour and food choices. “Research has shown that regular exercise combined with healthier eating habits significantly reduces the prevalence of chronic diseases in people, improves one’s mental well-being and reduces weight. All of which significantly improve one’s quality of life,” said Kariem.

Wenger said the programme is a pilot and the department will learn as it goes. “Over time, we want to understand whether these rewards help people build and sustain healthier habits. That evidence will guide how we improve the programme and whether it can be expanded,” said Wenger. By supporting small, consistent steps towards better health, WOWRewards aims to make prevention part of everyday life and help residents make their healthy choices count.

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