11 November 2009
Cape Town will be a hive of activity this weekend with a number of events taking place in a show of support for World Diabetes Day on Saturday.
One of these will see the city's famous landmark, Table Mountain, being lit up on Friday night, while residents and visitors to Robben Island will enjoy free eye screenings.
A Global Diabetes Fun Run/Walk would also be held on Saturday morning, starting at Mouille Point Lighthouse.
The SA National Parks, City of Cape Town and diabetes company Novo Nordisk have collaborated to light up the mountain following a call by the International Diabetes Federation, European Union and World Health Organisation for countries to symbolise support for the cause of diabetes.
Table Mountain and more than 1 000 famous landmarks - including New York's Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera House and the London Eye - will be lit up in blue to raise awareness about this growing epidemic.
"Every South African is being asked to show support on this truly momentous occasion by lighting a blue candle ... and switching off all lights for just 15 minutes during the time Table Mountain is lit," said Ilze Rabie, spokesperson for Novo Nordisk.
"These are small gestures that will go a long way in creating awareness of this devastating health threat."
The mountain will be lit up between 8pm and 10pm.
Speaking on behalf of Jonga Trust, an NGO that screens and manages eye health for disadvantaged communities, Fabrizia degli Espoti said the eye screenings would highlight the severe impact of diabetes on eyesight. She said surveys showed that more than 90 percent of diabetes-related blindness could be prevented if detected early.
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