PICS: How Lidwala’s Wellness Walk Became Eswatini’s Biggest Health Movement

MBABANE — What began as a corporate wellness initiative has evolved into one of Eswatini’s biggest public health movements.

At a time when non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity continue to place growing pressure on the country’s healthcare system, the Lidwala Wellness Walk has become far more than a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) project. It has grown into a national event that brings together thousands of emaSwati in a shared commitment to healthier living.

Each year, participants from every corner of the country lace up their walking shoes, don matching T-shirts and take to Eswatini’s roads, transforming a simple fitness event into a powerful display of community spirit.

This year’s edition, held on Saturday, was the biggest in the event’s history.

Organisers expected around 16,000 registered participants, with walkers setting off from the Matsamo Border Gate at 7am before making their way to the Mkhuzweni Technical Centre in Buhleni. The event forms part of Lidwala Insurance’s broader CSI programme, which promotes healthy lifestyles, preventative healthcare and community wellness.

The projected turnout marked a dramatic increase from the more than 4,000 people who participated in last year’s walk, highlighting just how rapidly the initiative has grown.

Momentum was already evident before the event. By the Friday ahead of the walk, Lidwala had announced that more than 16,000 people had registered, thanking emaSwati for what it described as overwhelming support.

More than a walk

One of the defining features of the Wellness Walk is its use of Eswatini’s geography to create a uniquely national experience.

Rather than following the same route every year, the event moves across different parts of the country. The 2025 edition took participants from Siteki to the Mhlumeni Border Gate, while this year’s route stretched from the Matsamo Border Gate in the north to Buhleni in the Hhohho Region.

The border-to-border concept has become synonymous with the event, reinforcing themes of unity, wellness and national pride.

For many participants, the walk has become about far more than exercise. It offers an opportunity to travel, reconnect with friends and colleagues, meet new people and experience different parts of the country. The atmosphere often resembles a national celebration, combining fitness with entertainment, camaraderie and community engagement.

Participants of the Lidwala Wellness Walk were full of smiles on the day

Today, the Wellness Walk ranks among Eswatini’s largest community fitness events, attracting participants of all ages in support of healthier lifestyles.

The success of the Wellness Walk reflects Lidwala Insurance’s broader investment in health and wellness.

Established in 2009, Lidwala is a locally owned short-term insurance company that has built its reputation on developing products tailored to the Eswatini market. It was the country’s first insurer to provide cover for imported vehicles and homes built on Swazi Nation Land, and to introduce Alternative Risk Transfer solutions.

Setting a benchmark for corporate wellness

The company’s expansion into healthcare followed with the launch of Lidwala Health, a medical aid product designed to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. Starting from E200 per month, the scheme was developed to reach individuals and families who had traditionally been excluded from private medical cover.

At the launch, Managing Director Dr Thokozani Nkambule said the product would be locally owned while giving members access to healthcare providers in both Eswatini and South Africa. He noted that medical aid penetration in Eswatini remained significantly lower than in neighbouring countries, creating an opportunity to develop products that served a broader segment of the population.

That philosophy also underpins the Wellness Walk.

Rather than viewing healthcare solely through the lens of insurance claims, Lidwala has placed increasing emphasis on prevention by encouraging regular physical activity, healthy lifestyles and community participation.

Over the years, the Wellness Walk has grown into one of the country’s most recognisable annual events, successfully combining public health awareness with community participation and corporate citizenship.

For a nation of just over 1.2 million people, an event attracting tens of thousands of participants represents an extraordinary level of public engagement. It also demonstrates how private-sector initiatives can make a meaningful contribution to national health priorities.

As the event continues to expand, the logistical demands will inevitably increase, requiring more extensive planning around transport, medical services, safety and crowd management.

Yet its continued growth suggests the Wellness Walk has already become much more than a company event. It has established itself as a national movement that encourages healthier living while bringing communities together, proving that a simple walk can leave a lasting footprint on the country’s public health landscape.