Zimbabwe recorded 52,279 road traffic accidents in 2024, resulting in 2,015 deaths and 10,074 injuries. It’s the second-highest rate of road incidents globally.
Puma Energy Zimbabwe thinks part of the solution to teaching road rules lies in starting young.
The company has launched the second phase of its “Be Road Safe Africa” programme at its Borrowdale service station. The campaign teaches children essential road safety skills. Since its launch in Zimbabwe last year, it has reached over 11,000 children, including learners from Kuwadzana Primary School, Ardbennie Primary School, Highlands Primary School, Hatfield Primary School and Mberi Primary School. It is being rolled out to five more schools: Alfred Beit, Borrowdale, David Livingstone, Mabvuku Primary, and Admiral Tait.
“Primary school children are particularly vulnerable on busy roads. Protecting them is critical and an investment in our future,” said Patrick Ngugi, General Manager of Puma Energy Zimbabwe. “Road safety education equips them with the knowledge and skills to be safe.”
Part of the campaign includes the ‘Kids Court’, where reckless drivers are symbolically “tried” for being bad drivers.
The programme, run in partnership with Amend, Road Safe Zimbabwe Trust, and supported by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Republic Police, combines education, advocacy and child ambassadorship. These young ambassadors become role models, spreading safety messages among peers and communities.
“Road safety begins with each of us. It is critical that drivers understand their role in ensuring schoolchildren are safe,” Deputy Minister of Transport Joshua Sacco said.
Thomas Mahundi, Director Operations and Marketing at the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), added: “Trained child ambassadors play a crucial role in spreading road safety awareness within their communities, advocating for safer school zones and Puma Energy has become a key partner in our efforts to improve road safety.”
So far, the programme has reached over 38,000 children in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania, including 11,000 in high-risk areas in Zimbabwe alone.
