“Today is my 100-day achievement speech,” the Minister said.
In South Africa, politicians who have easy jobs in government tend to gain weight due to the perks that come with being a state employee.
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has bucked South Africa's trend and embarked on what he has defined as the 'Wednesday Weight Challenge' to combat anticipated weight gain.
“When President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed me, I didn't look like a sports minister, I looked like a food and drink minister. So I decided to lose weight,” McKenzie said.
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#Wednesday Weight Challenge
Mackenzie revealed that she weighed 146kg when she started the challenge. As African National Congress Vice-President Paul Mashatil pointed out, the brawler joked about his weight and said he was unable to fasten his jacket during his oath of office as a minister.
“Vice President Paul Mashatile asked me to tighten my jacket during the swearing-in ceremony, but I couldn't because I have a big stomach,” he said in a post on his social media.
The Minister began his weight loss journey by preparing for the Nelson Mandela Foundation Walk and Run, and took part in a 5km race in mid-July.
Running a 5k race is not very fun when you are overweight. I would like to thank you. @NelsonMandela The foundation that invited me had so much fun, the runners are so cool 👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/ZyTLnZbJRQ
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 20, 2024
By the end of the month, Mackenzie was able to zip up her jacket.
“I started walking and running occasionally, but mostly walking. Now I've decided to take it a step further. I'm at my Wednesday weigh-in. I weighed myself on the scale. Go get it, I’ll weigh you every Wednesday,” the groom-looking guy said in August, when he weighed 137.9kg.
vice president @PMashatile During the swearing-in ceremony, I was asked to fasten my jacket, but I couldn't because I have a large stomach. Since then I started running and this morning I was wearing the same suit 😎😍🇿🇦🎤 Don't be jealous and run 🔥 pic.twitter.com/G7Kpb3VfSG
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 31, 2024
I'm still shocked at how many people are inspired by my walking and running videos. Let's take it to the next level. Get a scale, I'll show you #WednesdayWeight🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/q027xqpMQh
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) August 7, 2024
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consistency
Since his appointment as Minister, Mr McKenzie has been as vocal about weight loss as he has been about the department's tireless efforts.
“Today is my 100-day speech. I started this weight loss journey when I was appointed Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture. Take care of your health. I feel great. I did it, and my journey to health continues,” he said Thursday.
Today is my 100 day achievement speech. I started this weight journey when I was appointed Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. Please take care of your health. I feel so much better. I did it and my health journey continues 🥹🥹🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️ pic.twitter.com/FKffDOpTpw
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 17, 2024
In a video on his X account, MacKenzie revealed that he has lost 15kg since taking office.
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lose weight permanently
Earlier this year, AKA's father, Tony Forbes, used the 21 days leading up to his late son's birthday to develop healthy habits and give AKA a posthumous birthday present.
“I counted 21 days left between now and Keenan's birthday. So the challenge for me is to stick to the plan. He always tells me, 'Dad, we only have 15 years left. , please cherish it.'' So this is my chance to show that kid what he's capable of and that he's not done,” Forbes said in the video.
Like Mackenzie, the Forbes senior also shared his journey with the public.
Forbes said she went public with her workout journey because she wanted support. “I also wanted to be responsible to myself and to people. If I'm not going to get up and run, I have to say that to myself and to people,” he said. told The Citizen.
AKA's father ran 5 kilometers every day for the first week.
“When I'm running, I don't really focus on distance or pain. I think about Keenan and Megacy,” he said.
“I don't see myself running a marathon or anything like that, but rather being active and healthy. I want to increase my distance next week. I also want to compliment my running with gym weights.”
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