21 Sep 2016

A sizable number of people had assembled at the base of Otse Hill on an early September 17 morning.

Then, Balete deputy chief , Tsimane Mokgosi fires a gunshot into the blues skies.

The crowd burst into cheers, which is followed by a baritone led singing. As the song picks momentum the crowd disperse into the surrounding shrubs.

This marks the beginning  of an intense climbing of the country's highest peak of Otse Hill, at 1 491 meters  above sea level.

According to available literature, Otse Hill is the country's highest above sea level followed by Baratani Hill and then Tsodilo Hill.

“This is a historical site. It is the highest peak and we want that to be known,” said Mothusi Tsetse of Otse to the crowd before they dispersed into the rough exercise.

After almost five minutes of tiptoeing into the tough terrain, the first casualties surrendered and retreated to the base down the hill.

Others had to crawl to manuvere their way up, but the numbers of retreating casualities kept on increasing. 

“Gone me re tla go goroga,” Benni Tatolo  of Radio Botswana said to inspire those we passed by, while another colleague Odirile Sekwenyane was nowhere to be found, probably on the first batch, which has distanced itself miles ahead.

Among those trotting behind included chief walker and Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) chief executive officer, Dr Akolang Tombale, Ramotswa legislator, Samuel Rantuana,  Mokgosi and Tsetse.

After almost an hour, majority of the  people had arrived at the top and one of the climbers had to rely on the back of police officers as his legs had utterly surrendered.

At the top, one is able to have an eagle view of Otse,  Mogobane  , Moshana in South Africa and some parts of Lobatse and Ntlhantlhe. 

Other than the vegetables on top, there are signs of life owing to existence of animal feeds.

Further,  there is a calabash which has some coins inside and it is believed that people throw in the money to give to ancestors during mountain high prayer sessions. “Lo seka lwa tsaya madi ao,  bogolo loa oketse,” Tsetse cautioned the participants  without going into the mysteries of the money and the ancestors.

After the address, it was time to take a trip down the hill, which became more demanding than climbing and this led to some complaining of  the long route.

Ultimately,  majority of the people reached down the hill and were welcomed with cheers for the mission accomplished.

“We are so thankful to have spent the day with you, this is one of the ways of showcasing our country,” said Dr Tombale to the crowd. Dr Tombale said climbing the Hill could also appease the gods.  

These was the second mountain hiking activity organised by the Otse BOT50 celebrations committee  this year. Ends