14 Aug 2018

 All roads will lead to the dusty village of Tsodilo in the Okavango district next month where the first ever; Tsodilo Hills Heritage Challenge would be held. 

The small village, lies in the western part of Ngamiland region and it is home to the Tsodilo World Heritage Site, which was declared so in 2001. 

The level of development in the village as well as the standard of living of the people is not consistent with the status of being a world heritage site.

However preparations for the upcoming Tsodilo Hills Heritage Challenge dubbed ‘Walk for rural development’ are reported to be progressing well. 

A local organising committee comprising of public officers and some members of the community has been formed to spearhead and finalise the logistics.

The challenge, scheduled for September 1, is jointly organised by Tsodilo Community Development Trust, Department of National Museum and Monuments, The Desert Bush Walk and Ngamiland Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Project and is expected to attract over 500 participants - locally and internationally, who are interested in fitness.

The challenge is divided into two parts, a bush walk and a cultural night, which would attract different groups to showcase their rich and unique cultures.Kgosi Kelebetseng Keasheta of Tsodilo confirmed during a press briefing that preparations were on track, adding that they were expecting more benefits from the event. 

He is optimistic that the event would enhance the socio-economic development of the communities, adding that the proceeds accumulated would be channeled to some community projects, such as refurbishment of the mobile clinic.

Kgosi Keasheta said the event had brought a vibrant mood amongst the community and believed that it would attract a lot of attention and make the Tsodilo Heritage Site more visible and eventually boost tourism activities in their area.

He appealed for support from all stakeholders, including the community, to ensure the event became a success.

Tsodilo trust chairperson, Mr Boo Cuma thanked UNDP through the SLM project for sponsoring the event with the aim to improve the livelihoods of the communities.

He said the event would give their village a face lift adding that currently, they intended to increase accommodation capacity.

Assistant district commissioner, Mr Tshepo Mogojwe revealed that they were working round the clock to ensure the event became a success. 

He appreciated that the activity would augment government efforts towards empowering and developing the communities, adding that the community had identified some of projects which needed to be maintained such as the mobile clinic. 

Acting site manager at Tsodilo Museum, Mr Powell Motsumi thanked UNDP for the initiative, adding that the challenge would enhance the visibility of Tsodilo Heritage Site.

He said he expected a lot of people to grace the occasion, which he said would leave a significant mark in the village.

SLM project coordinator, Ms Innocent Magole stated that they found it fit to initiate the challenge at Tsodilo because they worked well with the communities, adding that they wanted to leave a legacy as the project comes to an end this year.

The proceeds raised from the challenge, Mr Magole said, would be channeled towards some of the infrastructural development needs of the village . ENDS