Chris Theko
The 2021 edition of the annual Moshoeshoe Walk has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic-induced state of affairs which finds the country, like most of the world, in lockdown mode.
The 116 kilometers long annual event brings together international and local communities for the three days that start from Menkhoaneng in the Leribe district and heads all the way to Thaba-Bosiu in Maseru.
It traces the route the founder of the Basotho nation, King Moshoeshoe 1 followed as he led his people to the sanctuary of the Thaba-Bosiu Mountain plateau.
The year’s historic walk was previously scheduled to take place from March 10-12, and was also to be held in remembrance of the event’s regular participant, Malipolelo Theko who passed away in December, this, according to the founder of the initiative Thabo Maretlane of T-Connexions.
“Covid-19 kills. Life comes first, the rest shall follow. I have buried many people who were close to my heart already,” Maretlane said.
However, he reassured the lovers of the event that in the aftermath of the pandemic when the dust has settled down the walk will come back with greater things for the faithful.
“We are not just cancelling this year but we are also gearing up for next year as the event will be celebrating a 15-years anniversary milestone which we are aiming to start with activations such as short walks.
“We are also hoping to do the 2022 edition as a build up to
anniversary of the 200 years since Moshoeshoe took that walk from Menkhoaneng to Thaba bosiu with his people” he added.
Most of the regular participants of the walk were not largely devastated by the news, especially those who took part in the warm-up event in December 2020 in preparation of the actual main event.
The ‘Moshoeshoe walk warm-up’ took place between Ha ‘Makhoroana and Malimong in the Berea district.
The annual event began in 2007 and has in recent years been hailed by His Majesty the King Letsie lll and the Queen as a successful historical and international milestone for Basotho.
The majority of participants in the walk come from across\
Southern region of Africa with fervent walkers from South Africa, eSwatini, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. And it had attracted the attention of the global communities of late with people from United States of America and Australia.
