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Hi my name is Dan and I moved to Zambia in 2021 (just after the pandemic) and set up the pa Mitengo Climbing and Calisthenics gym in the Capital (Lusaka).
The name pa Mitengo came about when we asked where you would meet outside of the city and with a joking smile one of our friends simply said “tizaonana pa mitengo” or see you by the trees. While we laughed at the time, we really felt it captured what we wanted the gym to represent: A place away from it all where people can cross paths and connect….
... which fit perfectly with our two-fold vision:
1) Firstly to provide a space where communities can form and people can meet through climbing
2) Secondly to develop the sport in Zambia and prepare athletes to compete internationally
It has been one awesome journey from when we opened in December 2023 and last year we reached a significant milestone on September 22nd 2024 as the pa Mitengo team competed in the 2024 South African nationals. This represented the first Zambian athletes to attend an international competition and were sponsored by Proflight Zambia.
It has continued to be an incredible adventure with some of the recent highlights being
- The experience and passion that last year's team (Featured above) brought back from last years comp to share with the community
- The visit from Mile End Climbing wall who came to Lusaka for routesetting and coaching workshops as well as helping us host our very first international invitational competition with competitors from Malawi and Uganda.
- The gym being invited to help set up and sit on the committee of the Sport Climbing Federation of Zambia
- Continued support from Proflight Zambia through the year including sponsoring our Zambian athletes to return to South Africa to compete this year
- Working with footballers supported by Tackle Africa to try climbing
... which brings us to today where we are looking at helping getting the last part of the funding over the line for accommodation and internal travel in SA for the team that is going.
If you want to find out more check our our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamitengo/
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Team Profiles for 2025
WOMEN'S OPEN CATEGORY
Name: Claire Musonda
Home Province: Lusaka
Returning Competitor
About me: I’m passionate about language learning-it's my way of exploring new mental terrain.
How you got into climbing: I grew up climbing trees-just for fun, always trying to get a little higher. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that curiosity kind of laid the foundation. In 2023, I discovered a local climbing gym and got into bouldering. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Name: Esnart Lungu
Home Province: Lusaka
New Competitor
About me: l love going to church, Love my family, I love learning new things and socializing with people.
How you got into climbing: We started as a group of footballers and we focused more on the gym side but I later developed interest in learning how to climb and in trying new routes and I started learning new techniques and I have been enjoying every moment
MEN'S OPEN CATEGORY
Name: Jack Manzi
Home Province: Eastern
New Competitor
About me: I’m passionate about learning new skills, improving to become better and stronger.
How you got into climbing: First came across the local climbing gym in 2023 while attending a birthday party, fascinated by the sport I went back to learn more about it and got hooked.
Name: Prince Mwewa
Home Province: COPPERBELT
New Competitor
About me: I love go to church and I love my family a lot
How you got into climbing: we started as a group of footballers and we focused more on the gym side but I tried to climb and in trying new routes and I started learning new techniques and I have been enjoying every moment. May God protect my teachers I have here soon I will be competing and will be an expert.