A new era for athletics and community development has begun in Botswana’s Kgalagadi region following the official launch of the inaugural Kalahari Half Marathon. The event was launched in Gaborone by Werda Athletics Club in partnership with the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) ahead of the marathon, which will be held in Tsabong this coming weekend. The initiative is expected to promote athletics, uncover emerging talent and create new opportunities for young people from remote communities. It also reflects a growing commitment to taking major sporting events beyond Botswana’s traditional sporting centres. By bringing together athletes, sponsors, sporting leaders and community stakeholders, the Kalahari Half Marathon is positioning itself as an event that combines competition with social and economic development.
The official launch attracted several respected figures from Botswana’s sporting community, demonstrating the significance of the new event. Among those in attendance were BAA Sport Development Manager Mr. Patrick Moesi, World Athletics Relays Chief Executive Officer Mr. Moses Bantsi, Professor Martin Mokgwathi and Mr. Tapedza Mbulelo, who represented the event’s main sponsor, New Trends Printers. Their presence highlighted the broad support the marathon has received from both athletics administrators and the private sector. The launch provided an opportunity to outline the vision behind the event and explain its long-term objectives. It also encouraged additional organisations to become part of an initiative that seeks to transform lives through sport.
Speaking during the launch, Werda Athletics Club Founder and Kalahari Half Marathon organiser Ms. Tshepiso Kashiwa explained why Gaborone was chosen as the venue for the official launch instead of Tsabong. She said the decision was made to increase the marathon’s visibility and attract more commercial partners who could help sustain and grow the event in the years ahead. According to Ms. Kashiwa, creating awareness at a national level is essential if the marathon is to become a major fixture on Botswana’s sporting calendar. She believes that stronger partnerships with businesses and sponsors will provide the financial support needed to expand the event and increase its impact. The strategy reflects a long-term vision of establishing the marathon as both a sporting and developmental success.
Ms. Kashiwa also spoke passionately about the mission of Werda Athletics Club and its commitment to supporting children from remote communities. She said the club aims to become the voice of young people who often grow up with limited access to sporting facilities, resources and opportunities because of their geographical location and economic circumstances. Many talented athletes in the Kgalagadi region are unable to participate regularly in competitions due to financial barriers, despite having the potential to excel. Through the Kalahari Half Marathon, the club hopes to create a platform where these athletes can showcase their abilities and pursue careers in athletics. The event is therefore about much more than competition, as it seeks to create lasting opportunities for future generations.
Although Werda Athletics Club operates with limited financial resources, Ms. Kashiwa reaffirmed the organisation’s determination to use athletics as a tool for positive social change. She revealed that proceeds generated from the marathon will be used to purchase a minibus for transporting athletes to competitions and training events across Botswana. Reliable transportation remains one of the club’s greatest challenges, preventing many promising athletes from participating in important competitions. Ms. Kashiwa explained that the ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak has made the situation even more difficult, as many parents are currently unable to sell livestock to raise money for travel expenses. Addressing this transport challenge would significantly improve access to competitions and increase opportunities for young athletes from the region.
The Botswana Athletics Association has pledged its full support for the initiative, recognising the broader impact it could have on athletics development. Mr. Patrick Moesi described the Kalahari Half Marathon as an important milestone that challenges the long-standing concentration of major sporting events in Botswana’s eastern corridor. By taking a high-profile athletics event to Tsabong, the organisers are helping to ensure that sporting opportunities reach communities in the western part of the country. Mr. Moesi said the marathon has the potential to identify hidden talent that might otherwise go unnoticed because of limited exposure. He also noted that expanding athletics to underserved regions strengthens the country’s overall sporting ecosystem.
Beyond athlete development, organisers believe the marathon will deliver meaningful economic benefits to the Kgalagadi region. Sporting events of this nature attract visitors, competitors, officials and supporters who contribute to local businesses through accommodation, food services, transport and retail spending. Mr. Moesi said the marathon is expected to stimulate sports tourism while creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and service providers in Tsabong and surrounding communities. Increased visitor numbers can generate additional income for local businesses and encourage further investment in sporting infrastructure. As the event grows over time, it could become an important contributor to regional economic development.
Corporate and institutional support has also played an important role in bringing the inaugural event to life. New Trends Printers has committed sponsorship valued at P18,000 through branding and promotional merchandise, helping to enhance the visibility and professionalism of the marathon. Additional partners, including Exotic Move, the Gambling Authority and Tsabong District Council, have also joined the initiative, demonstrating confidence in its long-term potential. These partnerships provide both financial and logistical support that will contribute to the successful delivery of the event. Strong collaboration between sporting organisations, sponsors and local authorities will remain essential as the marathon continues to develop.
The inaugural Kalahari Half Marathon represents more than a race, as it embodies a vision of inclusion, opportunity and regional development through sport. By creating a platform for athletes from remote communities, promoting tourism and supporting local businesses, the event has the potential to leave a lasting impact on the Kgalagadi region. The commitment shown by Werda Athletics Club, the Botswana Athletics Association, sponsors and community partners demonstrates a shared belief in the power of athletics to transform lives. As runners prepare to gather in Tsabong this coming weekend, the marathon promises to celebrate talent, determination and community spirit. If its founding vision continues to receive strong support, the Kalahari Half Marathon could become one of Botswana’s most important sporting events while opening new pathways for young athletes across the country.
