Healthy Schools for Healthy Communities

For the past 10 years, the Department of Human Movement Science at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth, South Africa) and the Department of Sport, Exercise and Health of the University of Basel have been working closely together.

This collaboration includes an NCD prevention strategy by integrating physical activity and playful exercises into the daily school routine of marginalised communities, as well as promoting the health of teachers, who are often under a lot of strain. Communicable diseases are also explored and areas for action are proposed from a scientific perspective. A number of postgraduate students from both institutions have obtained their Master's degrees through research conducted under the collaboration projects, as have two PhD students. There are currently 5 PhD students working on the research projects.

We dedicate this 10^th Anniversary Report to the memory of the late Prof. Dr. Lungile Pepeta, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Nelson Mandela University, who was a strong advocate and supporter of the project activities. We remember his warmth and passion for communities and his drive to promote the health and well-being of the South African people - a passion that is reflected in the work of the collaborative activities. We miss him and will remember him fondly in the future.