Nthatuoa Koeshe
ORGANISERS of the 13th edition of the Moshoeshoe Walk have edged Basotho to register in their numbers to celebrate their heritage by participating in the event which is scheduled for 7 to 9 March 2019.
Themed ‘the walk of unity’, the walk will start from Menkhoaneng and end at Thaba Bosiu.
The organiser, Thabo Maretlane, said 700 participants took part in last year’s edition of the walk although only 30 percent were Basotho.
Maretlane said they are expecting between 700 to 1000 participants for the walk this year with 300 already registered.
He said most of their preparations were on course and what remains outstanding are the village campaigns to engage villagers who are on the route of the walk.
Maretlane said they will be walking with the theme ‘walk for unity’ and on the 8th they will be walking for the women empowerment as it will be international women’s day.
The historical walk has been held since 2007 in honour of the late Moshoeshoe I, the founder of Basotho nation. The event started with just 50 people but has over the years seen significant growth, attracting participants from across the Southern Africa region and even beyond.
According to Maretlane, the primary objective of the walk is to revive the spirit of unity among Basotho as it is embodied in the legacy left by its founder Moshoeshoe I.
Maretlane said this year, they are expecting participants from Botswana, Swaziland while others will come from the United States.
“The walk is organised in such a way that it has both the benefits of adventure and education,” Maretlane said adding that during the walk, they will give narrations of the history behind some of the places the walk passes through.
“This walk passes the history of the Basotho nation to generations to come, as well as other cultures to learn more about the Basotho history,” he said.
He said the, Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, who has been participating in the walk for the past three years, has promised that she will continue participating until she gets old.
Maretlane told the Xpress People that the walk also has financial benefits for the villages in which the participants sleep in while others also provide horses for participants who may feel too tired to walk. Others also have different wares which they sell to the participants while others sell food.
Maretlane some prospective participants have already started preparing for the walk.
“One has to be physically fit to take part in the walk even though the walk does not rush,” he said
He further noted that they will also take a detour at Maloti Hospital in Ha-Makhoroana, which is along the route, where people can seek medical attention.
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