Virgin Active opens shop in Gaborone
Zolani Kraai | Tuesday December 15, 2015 13:15
The club is set to provide an alternative to the Gaborone fitness and wellness market, which has been dominated by Jack’s Gym.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Alfred Madigele and the Botswana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Zenene Senombe.
Madigele described the gym club as a ‘temple of fitness’, saying it is refreshing to say the least, how open and modern the design of the health club is.
Madigele further said he was not surprised by the initial membership taken up before the club even opened doors. The assistant minister also appreciated that his ministry is set to resolve one of its challenges; that Batswana generally do not live healthier lives. He noted that with the existence of Virgin Active, Batswana could now befriend, by no means the only health and fitness establishment in Botswana, in their journey to attain healthier lifestyle.
When giving an overview of the Virgin Active brand, the company’s Africa Managing Director, Ross Faragher-Thomas said his company is in Botswana to provide a holistic health and fitness package to Batswana.
He said since its inception in 2001 the company has grown and expanded its gym facilities globally hence they are delighted and grateful for the reception Batswana offered.
He said Virgin Active continues its journey to embark on expanding horizons and achieve health goals. Faragher-Thomas also noted that one of the main reasons his company chose to invest in Botswana is the fact that the country is a leading light of stable democracy with profound leadership, with a conducive business environment. The large crowd of potential new members who turned for the official opening were mesmerised by the club’s interior designs.
Virgin Active has 114 clubs in South Africa and Namibia. In Europe, it has 146 clubs, including 101 in the UK.