… E1 M raised by Sibebe Survivor fuels community projects
• Over 3,200 hikers, 50 international visitors join challenge
Nedbank Eswatini has reaffirmed its commitment to community development by contributing E500 000 towards the 2026 Sibebe Survivor Walk.
The sponsorship shows the bank’s continued partnership with the Mbuluzi-Mbabane Rotary Club, the organisers of the annual event, which has evolved into one of Eswatini’s flagship charity walks, attracting thousands of participants from across the country and beyond.
Speaking after taking part in the walk, Nedbank Eswatini Managing Director Fikile Nkosi said the bank was honoured to support an initiative that continues to transform lives through projects that directly benefit vulnerable communities. 
More than 3 200 hikers, including over 50 international participants, converged for the 21st Sibebe Survivor Challenge organised by the Rotary Club of Mbabane-Mbuluzi on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
The annual 14-kilometre hike drew families, friends, corporate teams and fitness enthusiasts from across the country, all united in support of humanitarian initiatives and community development projects benefiting vulnerable emaSwati.
The event also attracted several prominent figures, among them Chief Prince Mphatfwa, who also serves as a Senator,
Ludzeludze Member of Parliament Nomkhosi Masuku, Hhukwini Member of Parliament Alec Lushaba, senior government officials and leaders from the corporate sector, reflecting the challenge’s growing stature as a national event.
Nkosi said while many participants joined the event for different reasons, including fitness,
recreation, family bonding and adventure, the true significance of the Sibebe Survivor Walk lay in its ability to create lasting social impact.
“For Nedbank, Rotary and all the other corporate sponsors, it is for a greater purpose that we are here today.
We are here because we want to create hope, dignity and better opportunities for people who may lack specific things,” she said.
She noted that every kilometre walked represented much more than a physical challenge, saying participants were collectively helping improve the lives of disadvantaged emaSwati.
According to Nkosi, every step taken during the walk translates into meaningful change by generating resources that are invested back into communities through carefully selected development projects.
She commended the Mbuluzi-Mbabane Rotary Club for its transparency and accountability in managing funds raised through its various initiatives.
Nkosi said the organisation had built trust among sponsors and partners by ensuring that every donation was directed towards projects that produced measurable and lasting benefits.
She revealed that Rotary had raised close to E1 million over the past year, with the funds being invested in a range of community development programmes.
These projects include healthcare initiatives, education support, construction of water reservoirs, water purification systems and programmes aimed at restoring dignity to mothers, particularly women receiving maternity care.
Nkosi said the organisation’s work demonstrated that charitable contributions could have a tangible impact when managed responsibly and strategically.
She further praised Rotary’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities by providing bursaries to deserving learners who would otherwise struggle to continue with their studies.
“What is important is that Rotary is very purposeful. They want every liSwati to have an opportunity to go to school and are ensuring that through their bursaries.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Rotary for being intentional in empowering and improving the lives of emaSwati,” she said.
She said education remained one of the most effective tools for breaking the cycle of poverty, adding that investments in young people would continue yielding positive results for generations.
Nkosi also highlighted the remarkable growth of the Sibebe Survivor Walk, saying the event had expanded far beyond its origins to become an attraction drawing interest from across the Southern African region and internationally.
She said the popularity of the walk continued to increase each year, reflecting growing public confidence in the event and its charitable mission.
According to Nkosi, organisers had capped participation at 5 000 people this year to ensure the event remained manageable and safe.
However, she noted that the overwhelming response demonstrated the growing appeal of the initiative, with many additional people arriving to participate despite not having registered in advance.
The increasing demand, she said, had prompted organisers to begin exploring new ways of improving accessibility and streamlining the registration process.
As part of those efforts, Nkosi announced that plans were already underway to digitise registration ahead of the 2027 edition of the Sibebe Survivor Walk.
She said the introduction of an online registration platform would allow participants to sign up from anywhere in the world, making it easier for both local and international supporters to take part.
“We are putting it out there that as we look forward to 2027, we will be digitising the registration process.
You will be able to register online even when you are outside Eswatini,” she said.
Nkosi expressed gratitude to everyone who participated in this year’s walk, thanking individuals, families, corporate teams and volunteers whose support had contributed to the success of the event.
She reminded participants that beyond completing the challenging route, they had also helped improve the lives of fellow citizens who depend on the community projects funded through the initiative.
“As you go back today, we would like to say thank you. But remember, every step you took is actually putting a smile on a Liswati that is out there,” she said.
Rotary Club of Mbabane-Mbuluzi President Buyani Fakudze said the Sibebe Survivor Challenge has always been about more than conquering the mountain.
He said every step taken by participants contributes to Rotary’s mission of improving lives through humanitarian and community development projects across Eswatini.
Fakudze also expressed gratitude to the event’s corporate partners, saying their unwavering support has been instrumental in ensuring the continued success of the annual challenge.
