02 Sep 2024

Lasty Kedisa of Boro has been declared winner of the Nkashi Classic youth male category in Maun on Saturday. 

The 26-year-old, who also makes a living out of mokoro excursions, proved that mokoro was close to his heart as he outclassed fellow male youths by racing a kilometre in 9.11 and walked away with P10 000 prize money.

“I have been participating in Nkashi Classic since its inception in 2018 and the  money I won made a huge difference in my life as I managed to undertake some of my domestic errands. I have many children whom I have to take care of and I am going to divide this P10 000 among them,” said the joyful Kedisa in an interview. 

 He urged fellow youth to take the event serious saying it could help reduce unemployment that was high in rural areas. 

Youth in rural areas especially those residing along the water channels, he said should participate in the race indicating that many were already transporting tourists who wanted to experience the Okavango Delta through a traditional canoe. 

He said they should appreciate that the event celebrated the indigenous knowledge and the tradition of mokoro transport in the famous Okavango Delta. 

Kedisa also commended the organisers for bringing life to the rural community noting that since inception of the event, many people including elders had developed interest to participate to reap the economic benefits. 

In the youth female category, Onalethuso Kehemetswe of Boro, was crowned the champion while in the veteran male category, Obusetswe Kagiso of Maun was crowned the fastest poler.

The doubles category was won by Letshabamang Dimbo and Magadeline Nxereku of Boro while Gabofiwe Ndara from Seronga emerged winner in the male category.  

Keikantsemang Goreewang from Boro, winner of the female veteran category, could not hide her excitement praising the event for empowering local communities to have dignified lives.  The event, she said did not only celebrated their heritage but it also marketed them internationally as they survived through transporting tourists in the delta. 

The 57-year-old, who got position two in last year’s competition, said her plan was to construct a decent house for her family with the money she won.

She wished the event could  attract more youths who were idling because of limited employment opportunities. 

“This is a rewarding initiative and I encourage the youth to  participate to earn a living,” added Goreewang. 

Nkashi Classic is an annual event organised by Wild Bird Life Trust in collaboration with Okavango Eternal, National Geographic and De Beers aimed at celebrating culture through mokoro race as well as to enhance cultural tourism in the area. 

The event attracted over 60 polers both female and male from the Ngamiland region to race in categories such as veterans, youth, male, female and double race.  All the champions were rewarded with P10 000, those who settled for position two walked away with P5 000 while position three got P2 000. 

Nkashi Classic founder, Koketso Mookodi said the event was water based and therefore appreciated the arrival of the annual floods. 

She also noted that the event achieved its mandate of creating awareness of the importance of the Okavango River through canoe or mokoro race adding that the event had grown as it had attracted many polers, partners and supporters. 

She said they had also introduced new categories of youth aged between 18 and 30 and an exciting category of double in which a female and male raced together in one boat. 

“This is an initiative aimed to empower our communities and we are grateful that many had shown interest to participate and gain the beneficial rewards. The event also has the potential to diversify our tourism product as it enhances cultural tourism in the area,” she added. 

Mookodi believed that going forward, they planned to host the event in other areas in the region to benefit many members of the community including elders. Ends