Twenty cyclists riding for the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC) initiative on Tuesday entered Namibia from Botswana through the Trans-Kalahari-Mamuno Border Post in a challenge that started earlier this month in Rustenburg, South Africa.

The cycling event was initiated to raise awareness of the TKC regionally and internationally, with the objective of securing the three member states’ commitment to economic progress through spatial development initiatives along the corridor.

The initiative also aims to promote road safety on the corridor, reduce delays along the route, address security concerns, and commemorate the 20th anniversary of the TKC, among others.

The Namibian Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa receiving the cyclists from his Botswana counterpart, Eric Molale, highlighted the importance of connection between countries and how the initiative will improve the economy of the three member states.

‘I want to highlight how transport infrastructure are vital for development, thus, it is clear that since independence of our country, Namibia has improved drastically on road infrastructure, that has given birth to initiatives of this magnitude between our countries with the aim of also expanding this initiative to other countries in Africa,’ Mutorwa indicated.

Mutorwa urged those along the route of the cyclists in the country to give them good hospitality and welcome them in their towns and villages.

Handing over the cyclists to Mutorwa, Molale, the Botswana Minister of Transport and Public Works touched more on the relationship between the three member states, and assured his Namibian counterpart that his country is committed to the initiative, and wished the cyclists well as they continue with their journey through Namibia.

‘I am here to hand over the cyclists that I have been taking care of for the last seven days, who are carrying along the pledge of the TKC that entails that we must be a united people, we must be allowed to move freely across our region, we must harmonise our processes and protocols that facilitate free movement, and we must invest along the corridor,’ Molale highlighted.

The cyclists are expected to reach their final destination Walvis Bay later this month and the Namibian route will feature seven public engagements with various stakeholders.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency