Student’s quest to offer free aerobics sessions brings victory
After multiple rejections, minimal turnouts, and a lack of venues, one North-West University microbiology and physiology student has made her goals a reality. Now Palesa Seoka leads aerobics classes, focusing on improving fellow students’ mental and physical health, creating community, and facing academic stress.
In December 2023, Seoka struggled to cope, and her mom introduced her to aerobics. “I remember that year. I was down because of my academics, and the transition from high school to university took a toll on me. And my mom suggested I join aerobics at her workplace, and the passion grew from there,” she said.
In 2024, Seoka started her first set of classes at Cachet Park on the Bult after failing to find a venue on campus. At first, she was discouraged, but friends and students urged her to continue. Seoka said, “People were motivating me to proceed with hosting the classes, and I decided to use Cachet Park since it’s free of charge. I made posters to invite people and a group chat they could join.”
Despite the encouragement and efforts made to host the classes at Cachet Park, few people turned up. “The hard part came when people had to attend on the day of the launch, where only three ladies attended, and as the semester went on, the number of participants was not consistent. The largest attendance I had that semester was eight,” she said. The classes were then discontinued.
LESS ANXIETY, BETTER SLEEP
The turning point for Seoka came when she contacted Teboho Smith, the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences sports officer. “Palesa approached me and asked if there is an aerobics class within the faculty and said that she wants to be an aerobics instructor, and I said no [there are no classes],” Smith said.
Aerobics promotes rapid breathing that maximises oxygen levels in the bloodstream, resulting in a quicker heart rate and enhanced blood circulation to the muscles and lungs. Additionally, aerobics can improve mental well-being, alleviate anxiety-related tension, and promote better sleep.
Because aerobics is a non-traditional sport, it took a lot of persistence. Smith said: “Because aerobics has never been offered, there was a lot of fighting involved and a lot of knocking on doors ensuring the classes take place, considering that aerobics is different [from other sports].”
Locating a venue for weekly use was another challenge. “I contacted both the Sports SCC and the Arts and Culture SCC, but we were still turned down. I reached out to the office in charge of reserving spaces on campus, and they indicated there were no openings,” he said.
The lack of communication and the administrative issues led Smith to approach the relevant personnel personally to speed up the process. “It was finally approved, and we got a date to launch the classes.”
Thanks to Seoka’s commitment and determination to promote the physical and mental well-being of students, alongside the help of her faculty sports officer, she could host the second grand opening for her aerobics classes in April 2025.
FREE CLASSES FOR ALL
“Our grand opening took place on 22 April 2025. Classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 18:00-19:00. Then on Saturdays, class is from 08:00-09:00,” she said.
Naledi Mere, a first-year student, attended the grand opening on 22 April. “I joined the class because exercise is good for your mental health, and I encourage students to take part in these classes as a way to de-stress,” she said.
Students can attend the weekly sessions at the Alumni Hall, and the weekend class is held in the N2A G01 building on the engineering campus. “The classes are not restricted to the natural and agricultural sciences students; students from different faculties are welcome to join,” Smith said.