21 Sep 2026

What began as a hard task of bush clearing, stone moving and marking on Lentswe Le Kwadilwe Hill in  Lobatse transformed into a joyful outdoor celebration that united the community on Saturday.

Through collaboration, the community breathed new life into a treasured landmark just in time for the 60th Independence Day celebrations

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Botoka Ward councillor, Onneetse Kagiso explained that the community-led initiative was held under the theme: Our Hill. Our Pride. Our Responsibility.

Kagiso said the event aimed to honour the hill’s history, strengthen social ties and revive an annual September tradition tied to Independence celebrations.

“Sometimes, community development begins with a broom, a pair of gloves, a paintbrush and willingness to give your time,” Cllr Kagiso said, noting how the shared effort fostered collective resilience and prompted action.

He emphasised that the hill’s visual identity was woven into the fabric of Lobatse, with generations growing up attaching personal memories to the landmark.

He appreciated the seamless collaboration between residents, town authorities and the local business community.

Kagiso noted that the landmark had significant potential for cultural tourism and local economic growth.

“Lobatse has history, character and stories that deserve to be experienced by people beyond our town. Imagine someone travelling to Lobatse specifically to climb Lentswe Le Kwadilwe, hear the history from a local historian, eat local food and stay at a local guesthouse. That visitor is not simply visiting a hill, they are contributing to the local economy,” he added.

Town elder, Isaac Sentle reflected on the historical significance of the site, noting that a strong community was built on trust, cooperation and shared values.

“Today we are united to restore the hill after a long hiatus,” Sentle said.

First inscribed in 1986, the tradition of refreshing the hill every September was put on hold following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, community members resolved to revive the custom and reclaim their heritage pride. Sentle said he was happy for the turnout, noting that the collective effort made him feel part of something important.

Elvis Dambe, a young Lobatse native, praised the youth turnout and emphasised that as government drove economic transformation, grassroots communities must take centre stage.

He highlighted the hill’s potential for tourism, wellness and employment creation.

“We believe Lobatse can play its part in boosting the tourism sector,” he said, suggesting future activities such as hiking, sightseeing and the potential installation of cable cars to offer panoramic views of the town.

Deputy town clerk for operations, James Kolagano, said the council’s role was supportive and applauded the community for successfully organising themselves and mobilising resources, with the council’s parks department providing guidance to prepare the area safely. ENDS