For over decades there has been confusion between the two events which are held at the Makgadikgadi Pans over the Presidential holidays.
In an interview with Arts and Culture, Moabi said that there has been a persistent misunderstanding and false impression that the Makgadikgadi walk is a component of the widely publicised epic event.
He believes that Makgadikgadi Epic took the limelight of the charitable walk because of the mileage it is receiving from the Botswana Tourism Board (BTO) and other relevant stakeholders. According to the YCare coordinator, the Makgadikgadi walk was established 19 years ago unlike the Makgadikgadi Epic which started in 2014 but has grown tremendously over the years. The inaugural Makgadikgadi Pans walk was held in 2003 as a part of the YCare Charitable Trust's commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Corporate institutions participated in the walks to raise money for charity and to foster teamwork. Moabi indicated that this year the walk attracted over 37 participants from the First National Bank Botswana(FNBB), the Botswana Telecommunications(BTC) and two individual workers. He said the participants walked a total distance of 100km across Makgadikgadi pans by foot.
According to Moabi, the trek began at Mosu Village, and after 43 kilometres, the participants arrived at Lekhubu Island, where they camped for two days. The walkers next visited Lekhubu Island on their rest day, travelling a distance of 14 kilometres, where they were given a presentation about the island's culture and history. He said after taking a well-earned break, the participants returned by foot to Mosu village to spend the night and leave the following morning for their separate homes.
"The hike was not as difficult as in the past as the pans were dry. Previously the pans were wet and we experienced injuries leading to some of the hikers not to complete the walk. This time around only one backpacker was carried by a quad bike to Lekhubu Island but the same person managed to walk back to Mosu village,” he added.
He said last year they managed to raise P200,000, part of the funds was donated to some beneficiaries. Moabi stated that they donated a quad bike valued at roughly P27, 000 to Lekhubu Island as one of their beneficiaries. "We are still awaiting for Mosu village to submit their project so that we can also fund it as part of the beneficiaries,” added the YCare coordinator. Since 2003, YCare has donated over P5 million which has benefited over 100 charitable organisations across the country. He stated that their next walk billed as YCare Makgadikgadi Midnight walk will be held from September 1-4.
