On December 11 every year, Malawi joins the world in commemorating the International Mountains Day. This is the day that celebrates the importance of mountains in biodiversity, a source of livelihood for many, reservoirs of water which are important for agriculture and energy. Even more, mountains are important in tourism promotion. Mountaineer and adventurer KONDWANI CHAMWALA recounts Malawi’s first participation in the event, which this year will be held at the Hora Mountain in Mzimba on 13 December:
On December 9 2019, 13 of us set out for Sapitwa Peak on Mount Mulanje, Malawi’s rooftop at 3 002 metres above sea level. It is also the highest point in Southern Central Africa.
The mountain, rises sharply from surrounding plains, earning the nickname Island in the Sky. Unesco named it a World Heritage Site last year.
Apart from myself, the other pioneers included Taonga Mtambo, Emmie Suliwa, Mercy Kaunda, Rabecca Mulanje, James Photiwa, Yamikani Lozi, Maxwel Muyaluka, Yoramu Chirambo, Austin Ndolo, Lt Col.Robert Saizi, Ndindase Kumwenda and Mfazimun.
As per tradition, the goal was not speed but to reachthe top together, leaving no one behind.
Within three hours, we were at the Chambe Hut. Chambe is one of the more than 20 summits on the Mulanje massif. Other notable ones are Nkhulambe, Lichenya, Dzoole and Nakodzwe.
We arrived at Chambe, sweating under the sun but still laughing. After a short rest, light showers began to fall. We quickly pulled out our rain covers, and praised the mountain spirits for cooling the air.
However, with the rains, what should have been a six-hour trek to Chisepo Hut stretched into eight. We arrived soaked, drained, and starving; yet strangely excited. We cooked, ate and rested, ready for the showdown at dawn.
At 5am, the team charged for the summit, the skies had patches of dark clouds.
“Make sure you have a raincoat, a very warm top, and good shoes!” I shouted to the team while we geared up.
Our soldier brothers from Changalume Barracks, led by now Lt. Col. Robert Saizi, were impressively equipped.
With morale high, we began our ascent. One of the soldiers, Austin ‘Anyeze’ Mndolo led motivational songs that echoed across the rocks. The weather was perfect: no sun and no rain.
But this blessing was short-lived. Barely 90 minutes into scrambling over bedrock in monkey-style climbs, the skies opened. Rain hammered the rocks. Temperatures dropped. We pulled out our warm layers, everyone except for Pothiwa, who shockingly had come putting on flip-flops commonly known as magwaladi and no warm clothing.
“James! Put on your raincoat and a warm top!” I yelled.
He had neither. He began shaking uncontrollably. The freezing temperatures were unforgiving. He suggested we leave him in a cave and pick him up on the way down.
We watched fear creep into he eyes, he desperately needed warmth.
One member immediately gave him a warm top. The rain still cut through us, but together, we pushed on.
At about 2 900 metres, the fog engulfed us we couldn’t see two metres ahead. The cold bit our fingers until they went numb and the temperature dipped below 15°C. But we trudged on.
We finally reached the famous Finest Cave, the rain was minimal. And right after that, the final obstacle: a slippery, steep rock shaped like a human back.
For a moment, we all reflected on our families and on the fact that none of us would be paid for this life-risking adventure.
But determination prevailed. We were too close. One by one, we crawled over and under the final deadly caves, and suddenly, the summit beacon appeared. The freezing souls resurrected.
Jubilations erupted at 3 002 metres as the wind roared. Fingers were frozen stiff, but we still forced a few photos. Our banner came out proudly: International Mountain Day 2019—We love Mountains!
The IMD was established in 2003 by the United Nations to remind the world the importance of mountains to life on earth. Each year, IMD is celebrated on December 11 with a global theme to draw attention to specific mountain-related issues such as climate resilience, sustainable tourism, water protection, and community empowerment.
The 2019 global theme was Mountains Matter for Youth, focusing on the role of young people as agents of change for protecting mountain ecosystems and sustainable future for mountain communities.
Sapitwa was conquered.
Then came the return trip. We descended proudly, spending the night at Chambe Hut. At 6am on December 11, we walked down to Likhubula valley, where hundreds of people welcomed us like heroes.
There were performances, exhibitions, and speeches marking a moment that would grow into a national tradition.
It was the beginning of IMD annual commemorations in Malawi. Although the 2020 event was halted by Covid-19, enthusiasm grew rapidly afterward.
In 2021, Zomba Mountain hosted the event, and over 100 hikers joined the edition. In 2022, the Seven Hills of Senga in Salima hosted, with numbers doubling once again.
In 2023, the trek moved to Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani V in Ntcheu, featuring the Muonekera Mountain hike, tree planting, Ingoma dances, food, and cultural showcases. In 2024, hikers explored Dzenza Mountain in Dedza.
This year, Malawi will commemorate IMD at Hora Mountain in Mzimba from December 12 to 13, under the global theme: Mountains Matter for Water, Food, Livelihoods, Tourism and Culture.
“Hora was selected for its rising prominence as a cultural tourism hub with rich Ngoni heritage and strong potential for eco-tourism ranging from hiking and birdwatching to storytelling, craft exhibitions, and community homestays,” said McPherson Nthala, the focal person for Mountain Partnership in Malawi.
The partnership includes the civil society, mountaineering, adventurers and nature enthusiasts, several government departments in the line ministries of agriculture, the environmental affairs department, tourism and natural resources. That is, not forgetting the Mzimba Heritage Association (Mziha) under the authority of the Mzimba Kingdom, Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V, the paramount custodian of the culture, landscapes and people of the kingdom.
