05 Aug 2019

Tsodilo Hills is set to host this year’s heritage challenge scheduled for August 31.

Briefing the media recently, Department of National Museum and Monuments North West coordinator, Vasco Baitsiseng said the Tsodilo Hills Heritage challenge, which was in its second year, aims to espouse fitness as well as improve livelihoods of Tsodilo residents.

Baitsiseng said United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has funded this year’s heritage challenge with P400 000.Tsodilo Hills, declared a national monument in 1927, is a significant heritage site, which was recognised by the UNESCO for its outstanding universal value attributable to its unique rock arts in 2001.

The site has a historical background having had human occupants for about 100 000 years. Tsodilo Hills is also renowned for its sacredness with the two main ethnic groups of Basarwa and Bambukushu found in its locality who hold divergent beliefs of worship associated with the hills.

It was this background that Baitsiseng said the heritage challenge, through the national museum and national parks department, would market the cultural site further.

Also, he said the heritage challenge was an opportunity for the Tsodilo community to benefit from their natural resources.

One of the organisers from the sponsors, Olivia Nthoi, also representing the CSI Concepts Foundation, said the heritage challenge would be in two categories; the 15km and 30km walks around the hills in the morning as well as a cultural night, which would showcase dikhwaere and cultural dances from Basarwa, Baherero, Bayei, Bambukushu communities.

Nthoi noted that the heritage challenge has branded Tsodilo Hills as a tourism destination, improved health for participants and further improved socio-economy for locals.

North West District office representative, Neo Mogorosi said the heritage challenge helped in diversifying the tourism product from the usual wildlife-based tourism.

Mogorosi noted that the event also gave participants a chance to appreciate their country’s tourism as it attracted people from across the country.

Thus, he appealed to Batswana to attend this year’s heritage challenge in large numbers, adding that former Zebras player, Diphetogo ‘Dipsy’ Selolwane was roped in as the chief walker.

Nxisae Kiema from Tsodilo Community Development Trust said last year’s heritage challenge, which was a first installment, raised about P43 000, which the trust used to renovate some structures that were worn out such as ablutions, health post and staff accommodation.

The event is supported by the Tsodilo Community Development Trust, CSI Conception Foundation of the annual Jwaneng Desert Bush Walk, Duma FM, UNDP and Department of National Museum and Monuments. ENDS