A group of nature enthusiasts who call themselves Steps of Africa have found a noble way of socialising while adding value to their lives through hiking.
On Saturday, 107 hikers from across the province participated in the 10km and 15km hiking along Mandadzi Waterfalls and the Matshavhawe mountains. They also had lunch and dinner in the open park on the top of the mountain and enjoyed drinking cool water straight from the natural springs and streams with chirruping birds of different colours.
The Steps of Africa management team, Ernest Masia, Jimmy Luvhimba, Mulanga Molefe, Rabelani Sinthumule and Rotondwa Musitha, said that they had been hiking every December within the Makhado area, but it had later dawned on them that the hiking was somehow limited to a certain group of people.
"We decided to open it up for the youth in the province as well as to explore other parts of the province that are perceived as sacred or most people have never been afforded the opportunity to see," Musitha said. "We are all about living for experiences. We are able to afford young people who are not equipped to travel and explore parts of the country at no charge or at as little cost as possible to them by involving donors and sponsors."
She indicated that, while the hiking was a platform for socialising and enjoyment, it also brought about a health component since it demanded endurance. "It will be a bi-annual event, but we will continue to have the informal hike excursions throughout the year," she said.
"This kind of initiative adds value to each one of us by bringing about an experience in which we are able to explore tourist attraction sites," Rotondwa said.
They extended their gratitude to the sponsors who ensured that the project was a success. They included, among others, Phuluso Ambulance Services, MMK Administrators, Lidi Production, Colana, Go Zone Water Giyani, Kris Still Water, Lushika, Roliram (Pty) Ltd, G Phadziri & Sons, Info Fountain, Tiger Brands (Jungle Plus), Trash Converters, Cassim Spares, and Elegant fuel staff.
One of the hikers, Vonk Sinthumule, said that the hiking was fulfilling and that there was a peaceful atmosphere as they were on top of the mountain. "We connected very well with nature and benefited in health terms," he said.