31 Jan 2024

Local Dakar Rally hero, Ross Branch will today be celebrated by Gaborone City Council (GCC) through a motorcade across the city.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, GCC mayor, Austin Abraham said it was worthy to celebrate Branch looking at his exploits despite challenges and harsh conditions that he went through.

“He went through tough challenges and even though he got second position, to us he is the champion. I would also take this opportunity to urge government to invest more on sporting codes that bring home medals from international meets, such a motorsport,” he said.

Abraham said the three-hour motorcade would start at 9am at Gaborone Secondary School grounds, go through locations such as Ledumang, Tsholofelo and Phakalane before concluding at the main mall.

He therefore urged the public to grace the event and make it more fitting. On whether the council would consider naming any structure or road in Gaborone in honour of Branch, Abraham said he was not too sure on the possibility as the Acts that govern local governments might not accommodate that provision.

He however, admitted that it was a noble thought.

For his part, Branch indicated that he was honoured to have brought a medal from the ‘Olympics of motorsport.’

“Am really proud to be back in Botswana with a silver medal. We are really proud that we could raise the flag and hearing our national anthem on the podium was one of the best things of my life,” he said.

Branch appreciated all the home fans for the support, and admitted that Dakar Rally was one of the most challenging events in motorsport as it pushed man and machine to the brink of exhaustion.

“The challenge is not only on the track, but you have to battle the weather as well because we start racing as early as 3am when the temperature is still in the negatives and during the day it drastically rises, which can affect the body,” he said.

He however, said he was happy to have completed the 8 500km rally in one piece and that he would definitely go back hard and stronger next year.

Branch also said it was his hope that his exploits would inspire youth to join motorsport. ENDS