23 Jun 2026

The drizzling Saturday proved to be an adventure filled morning for hikers who braved the chilly weather to explore the natural beauty during the third Instalment of Lobatse Heritage Hike founded by Keep Walking Hiking Club.

For a regular hiker, Neo Magabu, this was her inaugural hike at Lobatse, which she noted was insightful. She appreciated the hilly natural landscape, which unfolded before her in the process leading her to understand the value, and depth that the town had to offer. 

Along with other hikers Magabu started the 10 km hiking trail at the Peleng Kgotla, leading to scenic panoramic views of the mountainous landscape and profound historic sites in town such as the Fish Keitseng monument, Samora Machel monument, Peleng gorge, Peleng dam as well as the Mandela’s hideout spot amongst others.

“We also saw Botswana’s first Military base at Peleng which was used during the apartheid regime. We saw the historic tunnels used by the uMkhonto weSizwe, which was the paramilitary wing of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa founded by Nelson Mandela in 1961. We also learnt that ANC first congress was held at the Fish Keitseng memorial and we discovered how deep our roots and relations with neighbours in the Southern African region are, and the role that Lobatse played in the liberation struggle,” she said. 

She also enjoyed the natural landscape at the Peleng hill summit as well as the Peleng dam view amid the rhythmic sounds of birds and ostensibly audible hoots and Screeches of monkeys. “The hike went well, it was quite enjoyable and fun, the terrain was okay the weather lovely. It was really cold but we made it. Besides, walking is healthy, it actually broadens the mind and one gets to appreciate nature more,” she said. 

For another walker, Marang Morakaladi, the cold weather was a little challenging, but otherwise fun.  A Lobatse native and a sporadic hiker, she said this year she was also doing the Desert Bush Walk highlighting that the Lobatse Heritage Hike served as a good preparation for it.

“I grew up in this town but I did not know this history and interestingly I have never been to Peleng. Getting to see the Fish Keitseng monument, and then going up the Peleng hill to learn all that history in-depth was amazing,” she said.

For a regular hiker Wesley Selabe, the hiking brought one closer to nature as it blended the physical activity with historical, cultural, or ecological exploration. 

He said hikers by nature were natural environment conservationists and enthusiast who were in tandem with the environment hence the reason they planted fruit trees at the Peleng Kgotla last year and this year under the Tree365 Keep Walking Hiking Club initiative.

“When we lace our boots, take our backpacks and walking sticks and walk it is for us to appreciate nature and get closer to it. When we walk in nature we get fulfilled and we as hikers also enjoy aquatic areas. We see water as a source of life and an integral part of mother nature,” he said.

Keep Walking spokesperson Andrie Mokopakgosi said about 100 hikers showed up, noting that it was a good number given the cold weather. 

This he noted, meant quite a lot to the club highlighting that Lobatse was rich in heritage history.

He thus encouraged more hikers to participate in the next hiking instalment where they would continue to plant trees. He encouraged members of the community and hikers to donate trees which they would plant to give back to the environment. ENDS