Community Empowerment

Nkashi Classic

The Nkashi Classic is a celebration of the mokoro, a traditional wooden dugout canoe used by the BaYei people to travel, fish and navigate the narrow, winding waterways of the Okavango Delta. The nkashi is the Setswana name for the pole used to propel a mokoro—an essential skill passed down through generations of communities living around the Delta. Organised by the Nkashi Trust, the Nkashi Classic brings together communities from across the Okavango River System to celebrate this unique cultural heritage. Qualifying heats are held in villages throughout the region, with the top polers earning a place in the annual finals, which are hosted at a selected location each year. Competitors race for the prestigious Nkashi Classic title and the opportunity to win life-changing prize money. More than a sporting event, the Nkashi Classic raises awareness of the importance of the Okavango River System, the communities whose lives depend on it, and the collective responsibility to protect this remarkable landscape for future generations.