Hikers care

Sometimes all you need to give is your time or share your talent/knowledge/gift. (Photo: Courtesy of Mongane)

Word on the social media streets has it that since the end of August, the ‘bars’ have been opened. The Christmas decorations at different shopping malls also remind us that not only are the ‘bars’ opened, but it’s also time to open our hearts and give to those in need. It is the season of giving. As synchronicity would have it, this past Friday, I watched a movie  after a long time. Ordinary angels is a movie about an alcoholic woman who goes all out to assist a recently widowed father of two, with a child needing a liver transplant. One of those heart wrenching movies that you cannot finish without reaching for tissues. I love small kids and both happy and sad movies tend to pull my heartstrings, so yes, I reached for the tissue box several times.  The star fish story which underpinned the storyline, was a reminder that no act of kindness is insignificant.

Walking for a cause. (Photo courtesy of Agrieneth Masule)

On Saturday I joined a group of volunteers from a local church to package food for the needy. Being part of a community seeking to make a difference, no matter how small, is always fulfilling. I’m sharing all of these because as I was busy either packaging or weighing stuff in that hall, I remembered that movie. And in my world, there are no coincidences, only synchronicities. These synchronous events reminded me of a community of hikers and how they tend to gather to do good. And this saw me abandoning the piece that I was ready to post, for this one. It felt opportune for me to highlight some of the good deeds of hikers and hopefully inspire you, as a beginner hiker,  to not only immerse yourself in nature, but also to be conscious of the needs of others and maybe save one star fish in the process.

The hikers' angel - Masego Molosiwa aka Mmamane

Ditsamaanaga Hiking Club in Mahikeng has, for several years, been hosting events to assist the less fortunate. These ranged from spending a day at a children’s home feeding, entertaining and reading to kids, collecting and donating school stationery, sanitary pads and school shoes. It will be remiss of me to write about hikers caring or Ditsamaanaga’s charity projects without mentioning an angel, Masego Molosiwa, lovingly known as Mmamane to all hikers - may her soul continue to rest in peace.

Remembering Mmamane

I met Masego when, as a group of new hikers, we organised a walk from what was then Mmabatho Palms Hotel to the Ramatlabama border post (about 24 km one way). Upon learning that I was from Lehurutshe, she called me Malome, meaning uncle, as she was a niece to Bahurutshe. I also started calling her Motlogolo. She was brave enough to join a group of gym enthusiast, hikers and one or two runners when she was straight from the coach. This was the beginning of a journey of many hiking and camping trips with tons of laughter around the campfire. This was also an introduction to one of the ordinary angels roaming this Earth. She had a big heart and tears for life. She cried for those who suffered and cried even more when something good came together. Her altruism was the genesis of the Ditsamaanaga charity drives, which continue annually in her memory. Please note that this is not a tribute to Motlogolo. Her big heart deserves more than this simple mention.

And then there’s Mongane

The gentle giant with a big heart.

How can I forget Ephraim Nakedi, a gentle giant who has always been a great help to many hikers. I know not many people know that name as he is Mongane to hikers and Malome Tau on stage where he sings and performs traditional dance. Hikers generally assist each other but not all will have the heart to assist someone who forgets the difference between the left and right leg when crossing rivers or streams. My early hiking days were characterised by a fear of heights and all things water. Mongane has always been there to lend a hand whenever needed. He’s pulled me up big and scary boulders and held my hand when my legs stiffened where I had to cross a stream. Many hikers have stories to tell about this selfless human being whose hiking life was cut short by a shooting incident which saw his leg being amputated. Despite his misfortune, he continues to spread kindness. He collects shoes, sanitary pads and soccer kits for schools at his home village, Madikwe as well as Mabeleapodi where he currently lives. Additionally, he teaches young kids drumming and poetry. 

And dynamite in a small package

Not deterred by the remaining 242 km.

What I love about hiking is the community circle keeps getting bigger. In 2022, I decided to join the Desert Bushwalk in neighbouring Botswana, after a sabbatical of several years. This, in memory of Motlogolo as she was part of the group that paticipated in the maiden Desert Bushwalk in 2014. We were the only non-Botswana nationals participating at the walk that today attracts participants from many SADC countries. During the walk, I met an enthusiastic young lady, Agrieneth, who chatted excitedly like we’ve been friends since forever, easing the torture of the sand in the process. I loved her effervescence, and we kept in touch. I was to learn that her small body housed a huge heart committed to easing the burdens of those less fortunate. As a teacher from a single-parent household, she could relate to the struggles of many children and out of her concern, Motlaletsi Charity Club was born. Over the past 10 years, the club assisted 10 secondary and seven primary schools with donations such as school shoes, basic toiletries and stationery. Three years ago, she started an annual 252 km walk campaign to raise sanitary pads for schoolgirls. The 8-day walk aims to provide 252 sanitary pads to each girl since it is estimated that a girl needs about 252 sanitary pads a year. This year alone, Motlaletsi Charity Club managed to raise over 60 000 sanitary pads through the walk.

Helping one school girl at a time.

Inspiration  

Hikers don’t only hike, they care a lot and there are many more stories to demonstrate this. There are people who got inspired to hike because they saw others doing it. And hiking doesn’t only afford us a chance to walk wide and vast terrains, but it also reminds us that we are one with nature and all creation. This means we must take care of the environment and everything on earth, especially human beings in need. I hope your hiking journey opens your heart as wide as the distances you cover so you can touch as many souls as possible. I hope you’re inspired to be part of a caring hiking community so you too can contribute to saving more than just one star fish, one step at a time!

Td