Malawi’s celebrated fitness group, Hill Climbing Club (HCC), heads to Senga Bay, Salina, in it’s home coming event to celebrate tourism fitness and healthy living.
Speaking to The Atlas Malawi, HCC Coordinator M’theto Lungu, says the event slated for Saturday 28th October, brings back club members and other hiking enthusiasts to Senga Hills, a range of seven hills and beautiful lake view siting from the summit.
“The Lt. Col. Khuzakhuza Senga 7 Hills Home Coming Challenge seeks to appreciate nature and it’s beauty, reminding hikers of the need to take care of the environment, and at the same time marks a return to the Club’s mother host, Parachute Battalion.
It has been named after the Parachute Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Evance Khuzakhuza for his active participation in the Club and support as both an individual and Officer who has hosted HCC activities several times,” explains Lungu.
Lt. Col. Khuzakhuza’s committment to physical fitness and the club has seen many members improve their hiking skills, hiking endurance, and build and maintain personal discipline, adds Lungu.
HCC, which has established Chapters and clubhouses in districts and areas such as Salina, Mulanje, Kasungu, Mangochi, Mzuzu, Lilongwe, and at Mvera,camong others, also has active membership in the diaspora on South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, United Kingdom, USA and the DRC.
“Our mission is to encourage as many people of all ages, races, vocations, and fitness levels to engage in some sort of fitness endeavour to improve their lives in the wake of non-communicable diseases that continue to claim many lives,” explains Lungu.
The Salina event, which will end with a startup reception at the Parachute Battalion Officers Mess before reaching it’s Pinnacle at the River Mark Lodge at Kamuzu Road, has attracted novice and professional hikers and fitness enthusiasts from Lilongwe, Mulanje, Kasungu, Mchinji, Mangochi, Mvera/ Dowa, Monkey Bay and Salina itself.
Part of the HCC objectives is to use fitness to promote tourism, healthy lives, and fight gender based violence.
“Every last month end Saturday, we conduct activities at selected varying places based on the wishes of members. In September we joined the Ministry of Tourism in commemorating September as a Tourism Month by hiling Mulanje Mountain up to Chambe Hut. Members had an opportunity to enjoy the mountain’s beauty and overlaying scenery, enjoying a swim at the mystic Dziwe La Nkhalamba on the way back,” says Lungu.
HCC membership is free and open for anyone irrespective of the physical capabilities.
“We turn New comers into professional hikers and lovers of nature. We don’t leave anybody behind and we don’t quit!” concludes the Coordinator.
