Minnie Baloyi Launches US$10 000 Wellness Challenge

By Staff Reporter | Harare

Minnie Baloyi, wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, has marked her 50th birthday by launching a wellness initiative that will begin with a three-month weight-loss challenge offering a total prize pool of US$10 000.

The initiative, called the Wellness Plus Movement, is intended to promote healthier lifestyles while taking a broader approach to physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Baloyi announced the initiative on Facebook, saying reaching the milestone had prompted her to consider how she could use her birthday to contribute to the people and community around her. “As I turned 50 a few days ago, I asked myself ‘what will I do differently?’ to thank the Lord for this gift of half a century of my life,” she said.

“I decided to do several initiatives to assist myself, people and society around me. Therefore, I’m launching a Wellness Plus Movement.”

US$10 000 up for grabs

The first programme under the movement will be a three-month weight-loss challenge targeting participants who meet the organisers' BMI criteria. Participants will be expected to lose at least 10 kilogrammes by December 20, 2026, according to Baloyi's announcement. She said she would personally provide US$10 000 in prize money, with US$5 000 going to the winner, US$3 000 for second place and US$2 000 for the third-placed participant.

Baloyi said discussions were also under way with potential partners who could provide additional prizes. “To kickstart the movement, I’m introducing a three-month weight loss challenge whereby the overweight participants will have to lose at least 10 kg before Christmas,” she said. The challenge is open to both men and women, including young people, subject to the eligibility requirements.

Participants to document workouts

The competition will require participants to demonstrate their commitment to physical activity rather than relying solely on the final weight-loss figure. According to Baloyi, participants will be expected to post at least three workout sessions a week on their social media platforms.

They will also undergo weighing or assessment by independent assessors at registration, with further assessments expected as the competition progresses.

Baloyi warned that attempts to manipulate the process would result in immediate disqualification. The judging will also consider participants' broader contribution to promoting healthy lifestyles rather than focusing exclusively on the number of kilogrammes lost. A panel comprising health, lifestyle and wellness experts and enthusiasts is expected to be involved in assessing the participants.

The organisers are also inviting members of the public to suggest two additional rules for the competition, with Baloyi saying she wants the challenge to be both fair and meaningful.

Beyond weight loss

Baloyi said the Wellness Plus Movement would extend beyond the competition and promote a more comprehensive approach to wellness. The initiative is expected to incorporate areas such as physical exercise, nutrition, emotional health and spiritual well-being. She also referred to practices including yoga, meditation and herbal care, alongside contemporary approaches to wellness.

The broader movement reflects a growing emphasis on wellness programmes that consider health as more than simply body weight or physical fitness. However, participants in the weight-loss challenge will need to approach rapid weight reduction responsibly, particularly where they have existing health conditions or take prescription medicines. Medical professionals generally recommend that significant weight-loss programmes be undertaken safely and with appropriate professional guidance rather than through extreme dieting or excessive exercise.

Baloyi's initiative comes as she begins her sixth decade, with the former military officer using the milestone to launch a public-facing programme rather than limiting the celebrations to a personal birthday event. The Wellness Plus Movement is expected to release further details on registration, assessment procedures and additional prizes as preparations for the challenge progress.

For now, the headline attraction is the US$10 000 prize pool, but Baloyi says the larger objective is to encourage participants to develop healthier habits that continue beyond the three-month competition.

Minnie Baloyi Wellness Plus Movement