Maun will next month, May 24th once again echo with the joyful energy of children running for fun and purpose as the Kiddies Fun Run returns.
Spearheaded by fitness advocate and mother of three, Patlo Galetshoge, the event is an initiative of Snapback Kids Academy, a program under Snapback Fitness that focuses on children’s wellness through physical activity and emotional development.
“I started Snapback Fitness in 2020 after giving birth to my third child. I wanted to heal. I wanted to get back into my body, but it became bigger than just that. It became mental, it became spiritual, and it became about my identity,” Galetshoge said.
Originally a gym accessories line, Snapback Fitness evolved into a holistic wellness platform advocating for postpartum fitness and maternal empowerment. Its influence has since expanded beyond Botswana, with reach into countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Turkey.
Now, through Snapback Kids Academy, Galetshoge is passing that vision to the next generation.
“I grew up an orphan, and I’ve always known what it feels like to feel like you’re nothing. Some of the kids in our community come from broken homes, where there’s drug abuse or alcohol. This run is for them, to show them they matter and they can be something.” Galetshoge stated.
The Kiddies Fun Run is more than just a race. It’s a full-day celebration of childhood, featuring activities like jumping castles, ice cream stalls, remote-controlled cars, and live music. But for many of the young participants, it’s the medal at the finish line that leaves the biggest mark.
“Last year, the medals made their whole year. They couldn’t believe someone thought they were worthy of a medal. That pride, it sticks with them.” She stated.
Galetshoge believes in providing platforms outside the classroom. “I’m not trying to compete with tuition centers. Snapback Kids Academy is non-academic. We focus on movement—gymnastics, karate, dance, PE. Some of these kids won’t shine in academics, but they might thrive on a mat or a track.”
She is also intentional about creating opportunities in Maun itself. “People think if you don’t live in Gaborone, your child won’t be exposed to opportunities. That’s not true. I live in Maun, and we are creating something powerful here for kids.”
More than a fitness coach, Galetshoge sees herself as a wellness guide. “It’s not just about working out. It’s about how you feel when you feed your family, how you love yourself, how you speak to yourself. It’s transformation from the inside out.”
As preparations for the May 24th event ramp up, Galetshoge calls on the community to show up in numbers, not just to cheer on the kids, but to invest in their future. Additionally, while still in her preparatory stages she appealed to the community to be part of the fun run and lending a hand by sponsoring the cause and partnering to bring the event to a full bloom.
“We are not just running. We are raising resilient kids. We’re showing them that their stories don’t define them, their dreams do.”
