14 Mar 2022

Truck drivers that ply the Trans-Kalahari corridor have appreciated government for recognising them, indicating that it is not often that such a gesture is extended to them despite being of essential service.

The drivers expressed their appreciation during a campaign dubbed ‘Thank a Driver’ organized by the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Sese on Thursday. 

The objective of the campaign was to appreciate truck drivers for their essential work and sustaining the economy of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for the betterment of their working conditions.

Speaking in an interview, one of the drivers, Mr Kennedy Kurwana of De Vres Trans indicated that they worked under stressful conditions during the peak of the pandemic, and admitted that now the situation has greatly abated.

“The most stressful thing then was the requirement to test each time we crossed the border.

Apart from being subjected to constant testing, we were also made to wait very long for our results, but now that most countries along the corridor accept a fully vaccinated certificate it is now much smoother,” said the 28-year-old trucker.

Another trucker, Mr Petrus Karomo of Waldschmidt Eggs also appreciated the smooth time it now takes to transit at the border and appreciated the Botswana Police Service for their good service along the corridor.

For his part, the Deputy Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mr Isaac Moepeng appreciated the government of Namibia for having initiated and sponsored the initiative through their National Road Safety Council.

He said that the truckers, being the drivers and owners were the live-lines of the various economies such as agriculture, mining, tourism as well as the whole supply chain. 

“Truckers are heroes that should be acknowledged because they risked their lives during COVID-19 amid discrimination and mistreatment from society, but they did not despair. Most of the time it is only during times of crises that we appreciate them, which should be corrected,” he said.

Mr Moepeng also disclosed that government was in the process of harmonizing some of its policies to be in line with those of neighbouring countries to allow for smooth transition of goods, especially in this era of free trade areas.

He also said that the ministry was prepared to engage in any proposal towards the welfare of truckers and the trucking industry as a whole.

Executive director of Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, Mr Leslie Mpofu said the corridor was one of the busiest in Southern Africa among others like the North-South corridor, Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi and Trans Kunene.

Mr Mpofu also indicated that in this era of free trade between countries, a corridor was vital for the economies of countries as they drive trade and connect economic areas as well as connect landlocked countries to ports.

“This works well for regional integration and helps the region to harness its competitive ability,” he said. Mr Mpofu said prior to COVID-19, there was a seamless flow of cargo that people were accustomed to, and that transport costs were low.

“When the pandemic came it drastically reversed everything. Companies closed and jobs were lost while on the other hand health and wellness risk increased and road safety along the Trans Kalahari Corridor were now real because of psychological effects on drivers,” he said.  He said that the pandemic also affected national GDPs.

Mr Mpofu, therefore, appreciated the government of Namibia for initiating and sponsoring the event, which other countries found fit to adopt. 

He said that the truckers sacrificed a lot as they risked going to epicentres.  On the other hand, he raised a need to work on the stigma associated with truck drivers such as the misconception that they bring about HIV/AIDS.

He said that truckers were not always recognized for their services although essential, and urged policymakers to ensure their welfare. Ends