Herald Reporter
BASECAMP Domboshava and Domboview Adventures are stepping up efforts to raise awareness of breast cancer and mobilise community support through a series of activities ahead of the Ngoma Kurira Pinktober Cancer Hike scheduled for October 31.
The campaign will include promotional activities at the SMEs International Expo 2026, running from October 21 to 24 at Harare Gardens, where the tourism operators will offer discounted registrations for the hike and stage a bicycle fun challenge to encourage public participation and support for cancer awareness initiatives.
The main event, to be held at Ngoma Kurira Mountain in Domboshava, will combine hiking, breast cancer education, cultural activities, mbira music, and community engagement in an initiative aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles while drawing attention to the importance of early detection.
Participants will pay US$30, with the package including return transport from Harare’s central business district, museum entrance fees, a guided hike, refreshments, traditional food, exploration of rock art, team-building activities, and a photoshoot. Organisers are also planning to incorporate health education into the programme, with a speaker expected to address participants on breast health, risk factors, screening, and the importance of seeking medical attention when warning signs emerge.
The initiative comes as communities mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, with health organisations continuing to encourage public education, early diagnosis, and timely access to treatment. According to the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe, recognising unusual breast changes and seeking professional medical advice are important steps towards early diagnosis. Breast cancer can affect men as well as women, although it is significantly more common among women.
Basecamp Domboshava marketing executive Miss Daisy Chiduku said the campaign is also intended to strengthen youth engagement through positive recreational and cultural activities.
“Through our Ngoma Kurira Pinktober Cancer Hike, we aim to involve everyone as much as possible so that they abstain from drug and substance abuse,” she said.
“Basecamp Domboshava is a cultural hub, and with the introduction of mbira sessions mainly targeting the youths, we are aiming at giving back to the community, preserving the sanctity of Domboshava and keeping the young generation from bad activities.”
The organisers say the combination of outdoor recreation, cultural experiences, and health awareness is intended to create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to participate in a common cause. Basecamp Domboshava tour guide Mr Nyasha Tanyanyiwa said the hike provides an excellent opportunity for participants to demonstrate solidarity with people affected by cancer while promoting physical wellness.
“Hiking for this cause shows solidarity with breast cancer fighters while promoting overall wellness,” he said.
The adventure mountain hike will be complemented by an art gallery visit along the way and a tour of the area’s rock art sites, while activities at the base camp will include a mbira session and team-building exercises topped with a traditional food feast.
Organisers are using the SMEs International Expo to widen the campaign’s reach beyond the hiking community and encourage members of the public to register ahead of the main event. One of the planned attractions at the exhibition is the “Impossible Bicycle” challenge, in which participants will attempt to cycle a minimum distance of five metres to win a T-shirt. Although presented as a light-hearted challenge, the activity is intended to draw attention to the Pinktober campaign and encourage public engagement with its cancer-awareness message. The organisers also hope to use the promotional drive to mobilise support for cancer-related fundraising efforts.
The 16th edition of the SMEs International Expo will run from October 21 to 24 at Harare Gardens, providing the tourism operators with a prime opportunity to showcase their activities, interact with potential participants, and promote the upcoming hike. The Ngoma Kurira event highlights the role of domestic tourism in connecting environmental and cultural heritage with community development. Domboshava’s granite landscape and rock art provide a spectacular setting for outdoor recreation while offering participants an opportunity to appreciate the area’s natural and historical features.
Organisers are encouraging interested participants to reserve their places in advance and take part in the awareness campaign, with the main hike set for Saturday, October 31.
