13 May 2024

The search for Okavango’s fastest polers through the Nkashi Classic Mokoro race has intensified.

Speaking in an interview on the side-lines of the maiden heats stage of the qualifiers, event organiser, National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project country director Koketso Mookodi said the epic mokoro race billed for Maun in July was on its seventh edition.

She said so far they have held heats for eastern and western pan-handle villages.

“The final leg of the heats will be hosted in Boro and Maun respectively where polers will have to book a space for themselves in the final,” she said.

She said the 7th edition of the Nkashi Classic competition had an additional category designated for youth polers.

Other than introducing the youth polers category, Mookodi said another interesting addition, was the mix race. 

“For the first time, Nkashi Classic will have a double mixed race that will feature male and female polers propelling one canoe,” she said.

She said in the search for polers, the Nkashi Classic team was accompanied by the Nkashi Knowledge Bus that engaged the polers and the general community on financial literacy and smart farming.

Nkashi Classic female category champion, Kgololo Boeng of Etsha 13 said she was introduced to poling by her parents at a young age of six. 

Boeng now a veteran in propelling said she was confident of making it to the Nkashi Classic 2024 finals in Maun. 

Another contender is Kebalese Mokgalo, a second time competitor who made it to the finals of the previous challenge but did not win a prize. Mokgalo who is an equally competent poler having acquired the skill at the age of 12, was eager to improve.

A first time contender, Dickson Mosheti of Ikoga, will contend in the veteran category. Mosheti revealed that poling was infused in his DNA as he was born in a family of polers.

Mosheti described himself as a poler of repute since he offered mokoro trips to tourists in the Okavango Delta. ENDS