- The Kleinvlei Fitness Hub recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, having grown from six to 36 women since its founding.
- Over the years, the gym has contributed to various outreach programmes, such as cancer awareness and support for local organisations, all self-funded by its members.
- The hub’s members share deep friendships and continue to find joy in fitness, community service, and ballet performances.
Members of the Kleinvlei Fitness Hub recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and are looking forward to many more years.
The hub started when Henry Campher, facility manager at the Kleinvlei Centre at the time, sent out letters to the surrounding community to encourage people to start an exercising club in the centre.
According to Eileen Jacobs, spokesperson for the hub, they started with six members and has since grown to 36 women.
“The founding members are still active at the hub. They are Alta Layman, Dorothy Daniels, Charmaine Philander, Melody Johnson and Cicelia Jooste. Dean Augustus later took over as facility manager from Campher, and under his guidance we obtained NPO status.
Cancer
“Johanna Steenkamp was the first chair, but a year into the post she was struck down with cancer and sadly passed away. We remember her fondly and appreciate all she’s done for the club.”
On 8 December 2015 Desirée Daniels took over as chair, and is currently still in that position.
“Over the 10 years we did well as a local gym, and we came along with deserving organisations in the area, although we didn’t have any funds.
“We engaged ENON Rehabilitation Centre, Thema Workshop for the Handicapped, cancer awareness outreach, and making food for the underprivileged. All this was funded out of the pockets of the women, 95% of whom were social grant recipients.
Introduced to ballet
“A highlight for the club was when we were introduced to ballet instructor Lydia Johnson,” said Jacobs.
“Under her guidance, and with blood, sweat and tears, we were introduced to the world beyond Kleinvlei. We started off dancing with a group from Bridgetown, but soon enough they felt that we were good enough to dance on our own.
“The next year we danced on our own at the Cape Town Carnival. Many of the women joined the club as young women but are also now seniors.
“We share a great friendship with one another and we love one another. Besides being each other’s prayer warrior, we also help one another in whatever way we can when someone goes through difficulties.”
