Hikers go on a breathtaking voyage on Qwempe mountain
Emalahleni Municipality’s local economic department continues to develop the local economy through trailblazing and tapping into uncharted economic paths, the municipality says in a statement.
According to the statement from spokesperson Luthando Nqumkana, while continuing to support emerging entrepreneurs, the municipality has taken hiking, mountaineering and camping as some of the cornerstones that will assist in unlocking the untapped tourism economy within the municipal area.
“While our geographic area boasts majestic mountains, historic caves, liberation routes and exhilarating waterfalls, it is hiking and climbing that will help harness the collective energy which will enable us to preserve and popularise existing heritage sites such as the mystical Qwempe mountain.”
In partnership with Komani Hiking Club, the municipality recently embarked on a hiking trip to the summit of Qwempe and the sparkling pools of water on the rocks took participants’ breath away on the top of Qwempe mountain.
The different pools without any visible source are only one of the wonders of nature that brought fulfilment to the participants.
Qwempe mountain is nestled between Mkhaphusi (ward 12), Jojweni (ward 8) and (ward 10) villages.
Hikers were also treated to traditional song by the renowned Tsembeyi Cultural Group.
The group also received a set of traditional attire from the municipality.
Handing over the attire, mayor Nontombizanele Koni encouraged other villages and particularly young people to emulate the Tsembeyi Cultural Group and come up with some innovative ideas through which they can benefit from tourism in the area.
Koni acknowledged and appreciated the role played by the Komani Hiking Club, saying it was only through partnerships of this kind that they would be able to promote tourism in the area.
She also thanked the planning, economic development, tourism and agriculture directorate led by director, Nkululo Mntuyedwa and urged other directorates to think out of the box in an effort to accelerate service delivery to the people.
“We are grateful to the people of this area including traditional leaders for their goodwill and next time we come here you must prepare some items to sell.
“We feel strengthened now that we are down from the top of Qwempe and our speaker, councillor Ncedisa Mtyobile bears testimony to that as she went all the way,” Koni said.
The community of Qwempe attended the event in numbers, young and old.
The youth were there for the better part of the night and the traditional leader of the area visited the hikers when they were preparing to travel home to see if they slept well and fulfilled their mission.