In Mulundi, Malawi, 22-year-old Shalom Maholo becomes the first Malawian woman to bolt a new climbing route, making history as she names it Zikomo, meaning “thank you” in Chichewa. Climbing has traditionally been seen as a sport for white men, but Shalom is determined to break barriers and show that climbing is for everyone, including women and Malawians. Climbing has become a global sensation and multibillion-dollar industry, with its debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics and continuing popularity. Malawi’s soaring granite rock faces have drawn comparisons with Yosemite National Park, making it a potential future hub for climbing tourism.
Despite Malawi’s climbing potential, the country still lacks developed routes compared to global climbing hubs like Yosemite. Shalom is one of only a few trained Malawians developing new climbing routes, along with a diverse group of volunteers dedicated to growing the sport in the country. The Climb Centre in Lilongwe, operated by Climb Malawi, aims to attract young Malawians to climbing, create new routes, and develop the local and international climbing scene. However, climbing as a sport can be expensive in one of the world’s poorest countries, with climbing shoes alone costing at least $30.
Climb Malawi ensures that no one is turned away from climbing due to financial constraints, with equipment costs subsidised through donations from those who can afford it. A partnership with the Global Climbing Initiative provides professional education to a new generation of climbers and route setters. However, challenges remain, including limited availability of climbing equipment in Malawi, reliance on donations and imports, and extreme weather events like flooding and extreme heat that can restrict climbing opportunities. The biggest challenge is attracting more Malawians to the sport to ensure its growth and sustainability.
Despite challenges, young climbers like Celebrate Nhlane are inspired by Shalom’s pioneering efforts and are eager to join the climbing community in Malawi. Celebrate expresses confidence in her ability to bolt new routes like Shalom, believing that they can make Malawi an amazing destination for climbers. With dedicated volunteers and climbers working to develop the sport in the country, Malawi has the potential to become a vibrant climbing destination. By breaking down barriers and inspiring more Malawians to participate in climbing, the sport can thrive and contribute to the country’s tourism industry and community development.
