**2. Diabetes burden**

Approximately 9% of people worldwide have diabetes and that 90% of the diabetic cases are Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) cases [8]. Over 80% of diabetes cases are those living in developing countries [9]. Type-2 diabetes is rising in Africa and threatening public health sector particularly because it is predisposing factor to various NCDs including diabetes, and its prevalence is anticipated to increase by 110% over the next two decades, from 19.8 million individuals in 2013 to 41.5 million by 2035 [1]. Inactive lifestyle characterized by lack of exercise and poor eating habits are a problem in South Africa leading obesity and subsequently increased diabetes prevalence and complications. Around 7% of South Africans aged 21 to 79 years have diabetes mellitus [1]. The prevalence of DM among South Africans aged 30 years or more has expanded since 2009, and 11 million increase are anticipated in the year 2020 [10]. Statistics SA [2] further points out that diabetes mellitus and different types of heart diseases are part of the ten leading causes of death in all parts of SA. The StatsSA [2], reported that Limpopo Province has DM prevalence rate of 5.2% and is the fourth province with highest DM prevalence, while Western Cape Province leads with of 6.9% DM prevalence.
