04 Mar 2020

 Kasane walkway, which connects Plateau in the eastern part of the township and the western part was constructed for just that purpose. 

The area where the walkway is located was initially impassable, especially during rainy season. 

Little did people at the time know that the walkway would at one point be an important space for wellness and nature enthusiasts. 

In Kasane township the walkway is now held in high regard as an important symbol. 

One would say just like the Great Wall of China was initially built to protect the country from its enemies, it is now an important tourist attraction; an important aspect of the economy. 

Climbing the one and half kilometre Kasane walkway is a very interesting adventure. 

It is one of the remarkable structures in Kasane as it is one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken in the township during the time. 

The majestic steps were built with wisdom and dedication, not to mention fear of wild animals roaming the area day and night. 

But today, the steps stand out as one of the township’s most famous landmarks. 

Just like the Trafalgar Square in Central London and Eiffel Tower in Paris, Kasane township walkways could be turned to such an important landmark.

If one is a keen walker or jogger, then the walkway would be a good choice as it provides a full view of the mighty Chobe River as it meanders from Namibia to Botswana while at the same time giving one a great scenery of different wildlife species that are found in the area. 

It is no surprise that in the late afternoon school children and the general public would be seen gathered on the steps to view the sun as it sinks into the Chobe River, which is a perfect end to a perfect day in paradise, as the sun gives the horizons a good bye kiss.

Psychologists say watching natural beauty such as sunset can boost well-being, increase generosity and enhance life satisfaction.

One resident commented that the walkway is a place to warm one’s soul.

Those who uses the steps on regular basis say that one would see things that they never dreamt of seeing.

On a good day, they say, one would see lions stalk their prey, or crouch in the long grass, scanning their surroundings. 

And then the elephants and the buffaloes would also appear from out of the murky sunset. 

As for wellness enthusiasts, the steps are good for work outs for those who frequently use them to and from work. 

“Since I have started walking on these steps my health has improved,” said one Maipelo Kanyezi, who resides at Plateau,  but works at one of the safari camps downtown.

A 2011 study found that healthy adults can take anywhere between 4 000 and 18 000 steps per day, and that 10 000 steps per day is a reasonable target for healthy adults.

The 10 000 steps works out to approximately five miles and this number is said to help reduce certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

In her book titled, Good Health: A popular Annual on the Laws of Correct Living, personal trainer, Esther Avant, explained that steps also help lose weight and that the important thing is to do more every day. 

In other words, put your energy towards increasing movement throughout the day. 

The history behind the Kasane walkway can be traced as far back as 2009. 

Some quarters in the township claim that the steps were built by ICC-Altswana company, which was engaged by the government to build the new Rural Administration Centre (RAC). 

They say that the company built the steps as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) so as the community could easily access the newly established suburb of Plateau.

Councillor for Pandamatenga, Mr Tengenyane Tuelo, though not shure of the company that built the steps, is of the view that the steps are the property of the Chobe District Council. 

Councillor Tuelo said the steps were part of the project scope of the construction of the RAC and that at the time he joined the council in 1999, all the services from government departments and shops were being offered at Kasane central.

Councillor Tuelo said the steps were built solemnly to assist residents of Plateau to access government services and shops, which were only found at the western part of the township. 

“In fact, it was considered that the steps would be a shot-cut because accessing Plateau from the major road that linked Kasane to Kazungula was a long distance,” he added.

However, former councillor for Kasane Central, Mr Moffat Mwezi is confident that the steps were built by Chobe District Council. 

He said he joined the council in 2004 and he is the one who came up with a motion requesting that government consider building a footbridge that connects Kasane Central to Plateau, which was a new suburb. 

“The motion was adopted, but instead of building the Footbridge or Flyover, government decided to build the steps,” he added.

Mr Mwezi explained that there is no way the council could disown the steps, adding that it was the same council that installed the street lights along the steps to provide more light at night because the area is a corridor for wildlife.   

Deputy council secretary (technical) for Chobe District Council, Mr Lesang Leloba said a suggestion was made to upgrade the quality of the steps by raising them up under the Kasane Sustainable Shoreline Development Strategy, which is considered to be safer. 

He said raising the steps would be a good alternative for people to enjoy the scenery of Kasane township as well as be safe from dangerous animals. 

Mr Leloba assured the residents that Chobe District Council was committed through its Ipelegeng workers to continue trimming the bushes along the steps.

He however cautioned about protected tree species in the area and that putting heavy machinery in the area may disturb the soil structure, leading to the collapse of the whole plateau. 

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks is also against the idea of cutting trees because the area is a corridor for wild animals from Chobe National Park to Seboba Nature and Recreational Park on the banks of the Chobe River.

The negative side of the steps is that the area is sort of a death trap for some of the residents of the township. 

Last year a man was trampled to death by an elephant while walking along the footsteps. 

Kasane station commander, Superintendent James Kabangu warned that people must be extra vigilant when using the steps because the area is a corridor for wildlife, especially elephants. 

“It is their corridor in the morning when they go to the north and they use the same corridor to migrate to the south in the evening,” he added.

Superintendent Kabangu explained that the disturbing factor is that the area has a lot of thick bushes even though the Chobe District Council made some efforts to de-bush in the past. 

In order to improve lighting at night, Superintendent Kabangu said the council also installed some street lights along the steps.

However one may look at it, Kasane township footsteps are multifaceted; they are both beneficial and dangerous.  Ends