Press Release
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Premier Thami Ntuli to attend the 10th International Yoga day.The International Day of Yoga set to become a national showpiece in SA It's all systems go for the biggest celebration of international Day of Yoga in Durban on Saturday.Chief host Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, president of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, said the local organising committee was expecting a record turnout of 3 000 participants at the Durban Amphitheatre for the 10th anniversary of the United Nations' global day celebration of yoga on 22 June.Ramlutchman has sent message of congratulations and felicitations to the consul-general of the government of India in Johannesburg - which is hosting IDY at the Wanderers cricket oval at the same time on Saturday:
"We believe with the hosting of the festival of India's ancient art of mental and physical fitness in two major cities, the future augurs well for mammoth national showpiece of yoga in Africa."He said he was pleased that the new Government of National Unity political leadership in KZN will be gracing the yoga milestone on the city's Golden Mile.
The South African government – including the KwaZulu Natal newly elected provincial premier – has thrown itsweight and blessings behind the upcoming International Day of Yoga to be hosted in the 10th successive year since it was declared as a global celebration by the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The colourful winter showpiece is expected to attract 3 000 participants from across Greater Durban and KwaZulu-Natal – including political leaders, ministers, city councilors and businessfigures with the most likely attendance of the IFP premier Thami Ntuli and coalition partners – and organisers are also looking to turning the major milestone into a tourism attractionin coming years.
Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, deputy minister of health, has lauded the Sivananda World PeaceFoundation, South Africa’s initiators of the global yoga day observance and celebration and haspraised its philanthropic president, Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, for havingconsistently raised the bar on this iconic event over the past nine years: “The Department ofHealth is pleased to join hands once again with the Sivananda World Peace Foundation and theglobal community to commemorate the 10th International Day of Yoga. This event is a milestonefor the South Africa at large and the global community.”Outgoing KZN Premier,Ambassador Nomusa Dube-Ncube, KwaZulu-Natal’s Premier, added: “On behalf of theprovincial government, I express my gratitude to the foundation and Prince IshwarRamlutchman Mabheka Zulu for having started the International Day of Yoga ten years ago. Thepartnership… has seen thousands of children benefit through yoga in schools. The Sivananda yoga vahanam (vehicle) is creating a huge difference in the education sector and amongst rural communities.
”Dr Dhlomo, deputy minister for Health has been a regular participant and has pioneered thegovernment’s interest in the promotion of yoga: “This event is a milestone for South Africa …yoga brings about an awareness of mind, body, and soul that enables people to take care of their health and fitness.”“Yoga is aligned to the health department’s mission of improving health status through the prevention of illnesses, diseases, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles for all.Ramlutchman has reciprocated with gratitude to the government’s goodwill messages, saying he was pleased with the ongoing partnership and cooperation between the government, non-government organisations and socio-religious movement.