According to Sostern Gutsa, one of the founding members, the hiking and adventure club was named after Mpumalanga, the place of the rising sun.
It seeks to usher in a new dawn while at the same time advocating for health, fitness and environmental impact and awareness across the province through adventure and outdoor activities.
“Part of what the club will focus on is the promotion of township tourism. This will be done through hiking where we do not only hike on established trails, but navigate our own pathways through communities and villages as an advocacy programme for health and fitness,” said Gutsa.
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He said the idea for such an initiative was inspired by the Department of Tourism’s 2020 theme, “Tourism and rural development”. “We will try to reach out to each and every community and navigate hiking routes in the beautiful Lowveld mountains and valleys.
“The whole idea is to make hiking a lifestyle while at the same time making it affordable. We have all these scenic places where we can hike in the area,” added Gutsa. He said the club will hike once every two weeks. So far, members have been to Kaapsehoop and Barberton.
Last Saturday they did their first self-explore trail in KaNyamazane. The route started at Thandulwazi Primary School’s sports field (KaNyamazane Section 1) at 05:45. It will be a 12-kilometre trail. People who are less fit will have the option of doing six kilometres. “We want our routes to pass through communities so that we can engage with the people on the ground on various environmental and tourism issues,” stressed Gutsa. Those interested in joining can do so by submitting their names via WhatsApp on 067-707-4731 or 060-329-3759.
