02 Jun 2014

A Kasane young man, Mr Segomotso Shamukuni, has opened a Keep cycling bicycle Safaris and Rentals, a go green concept company.

The main objective of the company is to promote convenient transportation and mobility for the community and tourists to boost the tourism industry in Chobe through mobile bicycle safaris, bicycle transfers, local tours.

In an interview, Mr Shamukuni said his company provides mobile bicycle safaris to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Maun and adventures to Seboba nature and recreational park, hot springs, crocodile farm in Kazungula and Snake Park.

They include cycling to the ferry, bicycle rentals for sports, tourism, shopping, work, schools also order bicycles for children and adults.

Mr Shamukuni noted that a bicycle adventure or tour for three hours is P200 for locals while sports tourism is P50 for two hours and cycling cab is P15 while bicycle transfers are charged at a minute, hence extra charge outside Kasane

He expressed that his idea to sell tourism on a bicycle is not a new idea hence it is an imitation of daily activities.

“It is you as an individual to complete the cycle of first thoughts, ideas, dreams wishes and needs. Going green is a heavy burden. The Youth Development Fund office could not comprehend the concept because of safety reasons (wild animals) and that it is not possible that bicycles can be hired,” Mr Shamukuni noted.

He said it took him three years to sell his idea so as to get his proposal accepted and in terms of licensing, he was told that his idea sounded like a car rental.

Mr Shamukuni said the officials felt it did not really make sense to them, especially since it involved bicycles, which they thought of it as a small idea that was not going to do well or bring anything good.

He said he kept on fighting for what he believed in and officials from Tourism Licensing Industry and Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO) had to fly to Kasane to have an oral interview with him. That paved the way for him and was funded by the YDF in September of 2013.

The tourism industry in the Chobe region of tour operators and lodges are wowed by the idea of bicycles in Kasane that would expand and bring revenue to their services. This, they believe, would bridge the gap of tourism, hence giving to their clients’ diversified activities and additional activity to the tourism sector.

He said this is a go green concept, self-cycle, drive for health and leisure and companies are responding positively. They have even received international recognition and have received bookings for the next year and are awaiting the official bicycle launch day scheduled to take place in August.

Mr Shamukuni said the community is ready and willing to ride but they are not sure of safety because of wildlife roaming in Kasane, while the children cannot wait to ride to school.

He added that already more people are hiring to cycle around town, shopping malls and he has also received a lot of enquiries from potential customers.

Lack of offices is among the challenges which include lack of cycling routes, cycling paths, which frightens a lot of cyclists and the demand is slow.

Unavailability of genuine or quality bicycles, spares and accessories is also a challenge for Mr Shamukuni as these are only available in Gaborone. Ends