06 Sep 2022

Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund and Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that commits the two companies to create effective change by making Botswana roads safer for motorists and pedestrians.

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Gaborone on Monday, KBL managing director, Mr Carlos Bernitt said it had been realised that collective action was required to create a sustainable impact to address road safety factors.  

He reiterated that KBL’s size and roadway presence, combined with MVA’s existing knowledge and expertise, presented an opportunity to extend their road safety initiatives beyond awareness-raising campaigns.

Further, he said the partnership would allow them to use available resources to help identify long-term solutions to road safety challenges, citing that the Memorandum of Understanding provided a framework for constructive cooperation and communication between the two organisations.

“In conjunction with the MVA, government and other public/private entities, we hope that our joint actions will bring forward important change in road safety and ultimately help create a future with more cheers,” he said.

Mr Bernitt appreciated the core mandate of Motor Vehicle Accident Fund of promoting road safety in Botswana by providing support to those affected by road accidents and raising awareness to influence positive road usage.

Likewise, he said they recognised that impaired driving was an important road safety risk factor to address, and unequivocally believe that there should be no drunken driving.

“This is why we at KBL have invested significantly in Smart Drinking campaigns to positively influence consumer behaviour and social norms where drinking is involved,” he said.

For his part, the chief executive officer of MVA Fund, Mr Michael Tlhagwane reiterated that the principal purpose of the collaboration was to reduce the number of motor vehicle and other road user crashes, specifically those related to alcohol abuse.  

“This will be achieved through partnership in the execution of several road safety campaigns, projects, and initiatives that help reduce road crashes, he said.

Mr Tlhagwane also said raising awareness through advertising and scheduled interviews shall be achieved by using both traditional and digital media, as well as direct marketing, including face-to-face interactions with the public.

He added that the partnership would ensure sharing of statistical data and analysis relating to trends and performance and initiating research. ends