08 Aug 2016

Chobe community kicked off the countdown to the anticipated 50th anniversary of Botswana’s independence with a fun-run and picnic in an otherwise sleepy Mutjenje village.

The event was a welcome development for fun-starved residents as the numbers kept swelling as the day unfolded. 

A 5 and 15 kilometre fun run kick-started the activities of the day with winners walking away with cash prices ranging from P100 to P500. Activities for the young and old such as the egg race relay and jumping castles added some colour to the day’s activities.

For residents, most of whom had travelled from Kasane, the afternoon was characterised with some volleyball games, quad bikes and plenty of thirst-busters.  

Chief organiser, Seele Chabata said that the event was both a built up activity and a fundraising initiative for the district’s independence celebrations along with the nation’s. 

“We chose Mutjenje because we wanted to capitalise on the bushy aspect as well as bring some of the events this side since Kasane is always hosting all the big events,” she said in an interview. She was confident that the money spent would be recovered though not as much as they had hoped. 

However she noted that ticket were sold out and the ultimate goal was to get people excited about Botswana’s 50th anniversary.

 “This is why we only sold stalls to people who were only selling BOT50 merchandise,” said Chabata.

With support from the tourism industry and other stakeholders, as well as residents from the district, it is safe to say the fun run breathed life into Mutjenje village and kick-started the much needed vibe leading up indepdence celebrations.Ends