15/10/2026
Daring to be DIFFERENT!!
Everyone will give you advice on how to and what to.. but it's in this experience, through the eyes of Thusanang Moribame Thusi Moribame of Debswana Diamond Company that you can't help but take a PAUSE to re-assess what "logic" says!
In his words..
"My Experience at the Y Care Makgadikgadi 100km Night Walk
Walking Beyond Limits
Participating in the Y Care Makgadikgadi 100km Night Walk for the second time was once again an unforgettable experience. As a Debswana employee, I was privileged to take part in this year’s event under the Debswana Wellness Fund initiative, which encourages employees to prioritise their health, fitness and overall wellbeing.
The Y Care Makgadikgadi 100km Night Walk is, however, more than just an endurance event. It is a charity walk that seeks to make a difference in the lives of people and communities in need. Knowing the purpose behind the walk made this year’s experience even more meaningful for me.
Having participated in the walk before, I knew that completing 100 kilometres across the Makgadikgadi salt pans would not be easy. This year, I wanted to challenge myself differently. I deliberately decided to walk the entire 100 kilometres wearing steel-toe gumboots.
I wanted to experience a different level of discomfort and challenge myself mentally and physically. More importantly, I wanted the pain and discomfort I experienced during the walk to remind me of the people we were walking for. I wanted to tell myself that if I could endure the pain for those who are in need, then the challenge would have a greater purpose.
The decision tested me from the very beginning.
The gumboots were heavy, hot and uncomfortable, while the wet conditions of the salt pans made walking even more difficult. As the kilometres increased, so did the pain in my feet. Every step required more effort, but I remained determined to complete the journey in the same boots I had started with.
At around 80 kilometres, I reached one of the most difficult moments of the walk. My feet were extremely tired and painful, and I felt as though they could no longer carry me. For the first time, I seriously thought about giving up.
But then I remembered why I was walking.
I reminded myself that this was not simply a personal challenge. I was doing it for charity. I was walking for people who are in need. The pain I was feeling had a purpose, and that thought gave me the strength to continue.
With music playing from my portable speaker, I encouraged myself and said, “I cannot surrender after coming this far. I have to keep pushing until I reach the finish line.”
That reminder changed everything.
I continued walking, one step at a time. The final 20 kilometres were extremely challenging, but knowing that my effort was contributing to a greater cause kept me moving forward.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the experience was the environment. Walking through the quiet Makgadikgadi salt pans at night, beneath a sky filled with stars, was an experience that is difficult to describe. Away from the noise and distractions of everyday life, there was a unique sense of peace.
At times, the only sounds were the footsteps of fellow participants and music coming from portable speakers. We walked, rested, encouraged one another and continued moving towards the finish line. Despite the physical exhaustion, there were moments of laughter, connection and enjoyment that made the journey memorable.
When I finally reached the finish line, I was extremely tired, but I was also filled with a tremendous sense of achievement and fulfilment. Completing 100 kilometres in heavy gumboots, through wet and uncomfortable conditions, taught me that endurance is not only about physical strength. It is also about having a purpose strong enough to keep you moving when your body tells you to stop.
The Y Care Makgadikgadi 100km Night Walk was therefore more than a physical challenge for me. It was a test of discipline, determination, mental strength and compassion. It reminded me that sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zones and willingly experience discomfort for a greater purpose.
I am grateful to Debswana and the Wellness Fund initiative for providing employees with opportunities to improve their physical wellbeing while participating in meaningful initiatives that positively impact others.
My second Y Care Makgadikgadi 100km Night Walk has left me with memories I will always cherish the pain, the tiredness, the laughter, the music, the peaceful salt pans, the beautiful night sky and, most importantly, the feeling of reaching the finish line knowing that I had pushed myself for a worthy cause.
The greatest lesson I took from the walk is that purpose gives you strength. When you feel like giving up, remember who you are doing it for and why you started. Sometimes, all you need is one more step, then another, until you reach the finish line."
Truly a goosebump piece to motivate and inspire all of us to tap into the opportunities we are given and to make personal changes to ourselves and our community.
