24 Oct 2024

Government will gift electric bus to Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) to be used to transport Olympic athletes.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi made the announcement  in Gaborone on October 24 at an occasion where he handed over electric vehicles(EV) to Letsile Tebogo, Ross Branch, Lesego Chombo and Anicia Gaothusi.

The President also launched personalised vehicle number plates.

He appreciated the ministries of Transport and Public Works and that of Communications, Knowledge and Technology as well as Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation for delivering the EVs on time.

Dr Masisi said behind Letsile’s success was a wonderful team therefore, government decided to give them an electric bus that would be used to transport athletes for training and other activities. He said the bus would be under the care of Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) and would serve the Olympic team and its management after being branded.

Meanwhile, Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, Mr Thulagano Segokgo said the four stars that would be receiving EVs would be handed personalised number plates.

Mr Segokgo said the handing over of EVs to the stars was for a purpose, to celebrate their success and also for their personal use, for a period of one year.

He said within the one year period, the recipients would be expected to provide performance data, which would help in research and innovation.

Mr Segokgo noted that the vehicles were handed over to mobile youth, who would be helpful in promoting them to the nation and the market.  He added that the eMobility team would not only collect performance data, but also understanding with regards to acceptance of the vehicles and what ought to be improved. 

He emphasised that the exercise would not just be on functionality but would extend to among others, comfort and other aspects. 

“By handing over these vehicles, we are facilitating and making sure that we collect the necessary data that will help us continue to innovate,” he said.

Mr Segokgo said the vehicles were availed under certain terms, principal being that the recipients must obey all traffic regulations, be licensed to drive and handle the vehicles with due care in order for the project to achieve the expected result, which was performance data among others.

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale said construction of roads was a programme of action to deliver a promise that was made.

He said roads were built for a purpose which included building an economy.

Mr Molale said the event was to showcase innovation and personal pride. 

As part of the innovative approach, Mr Molale said, the assignment of personalisation of number plates had been realised and the development was not just a culmination of innovation but also personal pride. 

“I suspect in this country personalised number plates will actually push the index of Botswana’s happiness much higher than we are now. I invite all Batswana to come to the party, because it is self-identity,” he said.

He said government had also emphasised on improving safety of vehicles as the country was not information technology compliant in terms of monitoring the issuance of number plates.

Additionally, Mr Molale said in partnership with Motor Vehicle Accident Fund and Formula1 Africa have been talking road safety and therefore was inspired to engage the country’s youthful and celebrated stars to help in advocating road safety. Mr Molale said other than receiving the EV’s and personalised number plates, the celebrated athletes and beauty queens would serve as road safety ambassadors to save lives.

Noting that most of the road fatalities were youth, he expressed hope that they would receive road safety tips better when engaged by their peers. ends