In this day and age, where digital entertainment captures the hearts and minds of South African youth, it’s time to address the growing issue of video game addiction head-on.
K-Way, in partnership with Gaiya Fit, extend the conversation around Mental Health beyond the month of October. This is in aid to drive awareness around the upliftment of mental wellbeing in South African youth – to send across a message that mental wellbeing is not a destination, but something we continuously need to work at.
Research shows that South Africa has seen a surge in video game usage among children, with some spending more than six hours a day immersed in virtual worlds.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of this on their social development and overall well-being. Some have even gone so far as to liken video games to a new form of addiction.
“It is extremely important to strike a balance between the virtual adventures and the real-world experiences that help shape our lives,” explains Cape Union Mart Marketing Manager, Odile Hufkie. “As a local brand, K-Way wanted to do our part in driving this conversation.
“We believe in the power of transformation, and that’s why we’ve taken the most popular games and turned them into real-life adventures. Titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Minecraft, which have captivated millions of gamers worldwide, can now be experienced beyond the confines of a screen through our initiative – Don’t Change the Player, Change the Game.”
For this reason, the K-Way team partnered with South African presenter and fitness personality, Ryle De Morny to host an event for Cape Town-based children and their families aimed at connecting with nature and spending time being mindful.
The event will take place at Gaiya Fit gym on 18 November, where children will learn the basics of breathing and yoga with the team from Blissful Kids – another small, local business.
The event will run between 9am – 11am, and while attendance is free, participants will need to book via Quicket: K-way-kiddies-yoga-day/.
De Morny explains: “I was excited when Cape Union Mart reached out to me during Mental Health Month, and am truly excited by the potential of this event to touch lives and bridge the gap between the virtual and physical realms.
“We plan to empower the youth to recognize that life outside the screen is an adventure waiting to be embraced. It’s a realm where their mental health can thrive, their social skills can flourish, and their potential is limitless.”
“Research shows that nature plays an important role in supporting mental health, and our role as Cape Union Mart is to enable South Africans to spend more time outdoors finding their own sense of adventure,” concludes Hufkie.
