OVER 3 200 SURVIVE SIBEBE CHALLENGE

MBULUZI – After two years of not hosting the Sibebe Survivor Challenge, corporate companies and individuals came all out to take part in this year’s hike as over 3 200 attended.

A total of 3 500 people registered for the 2022 Sibebe Survivor Challenge but 3 200 committed as some cancelled. As early as 6:30am, companies had already pitched their gazebos and at around 7am, they set out for the challenge. The team that finished first was AG Thomas which completed the 11km trek in two hours.

Won

Meanwhile, Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) won the category of being the largest team with 273 members, followed by Nedbank Eswatini with 235 and Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) with 170. Other big teams were Steffanutti&Stocks with 162 members, Central Bank of Eswatini had 141 participants and Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC) had 117. Although there was a slight misunderstanding regarding the starting point, which was changed from the usual base to Sibebe Resort, it did not deter the determined hikers who climbed up to the resort before setting off, adding a few kilometres. Most of the hikers expressed their desire to admire nature while attaining fitness.

Herina and Phillip Pretorius did not leave behind their 20-month-old baby, adding that their motive behind the participation was to admire nature and attain fitness. Lindo Ntimane also walked up to the rock with her baby. Ntimane stated that the toddler’s father always hiked with him.  The main sponsors of the event was, Nedbank, and Managing Director (MD) Fikile Nkosi commended their partner Mbuluzi-Mbababe Rotary Club for having innovated and improved the event to attract a bigger and better crowd.  Nkosi also recognised other core sponsors who understood that in order for them to be sustainable, they needed to have a society that was developing.

The MD stated that 100 per cent of the proceeds, which would be received from the event, would go towards developing the societies and communities using various strategies in doing good for individuals, families and communities. “We do good because we have the passion and the love for the people out there,” she said. Rather than the fitness and nature conservation attained by the participants, Nkosi said the proceeds were to assist a number of underprivileged people in the country. The MD stated that they were happy with the reports they received from the Rotary Club. She said the funds were accounted for to the last cent, which was also appreciated from rotary.  “We have audited financials which would be made public and you will see your sweat and your money, where it goes in as far as alleviating poverty in Eswatini,” she said.

Furthermore, she commended all the participants who conquered Sibebe. Mbuluzi-Mbabane Rotary Club President Andrew Muwonge, said due to the popular demand of the event, they tried to do things differenttly, adding that this year, they hosted a two-day event, which was a trial and were hoping next year would be much bigger and better. Muwonge thanked the major sponsor of the event; Nedbank together with partner Sibebe Resort for the successful event.

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