Online Reporter
Zimpapers Reporter
MTHABISI Nyoni has been crowned Zimbabwe’s Best Young Driver after winning the inaugural national finals of the African Best Young Driver (ABYD) competition in Harare.
Nyoni, who won the Southern Region semi-finals earlier this month, maintained his fine form to emerge national champion at the finals held at the East24 Golf Driving Range over the weekend.
He will now represent Zimbabwe at the African Regional Finals alongside Northern Region winner Promithius Kurai, who finished as first runner-up.
The continental finals will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in November, where the pair will compete against young drivers from across Africa for the African Best Young Driver title.
The national competition was coordinated by the Automobile Association of Zimbabwe (AAZ) and co-sponsored by FIA Region I, with contestants assessed on driving precision, theoretical knowledge, vehicle control and road safety awareness.
AAZ regional manager Ms Pamela Ndlovu said the competition was about developing young motorists who could promote a culture of responsible driving.
“The African Best Young Driver competition gives us an opportunity to identify and nurture young drivers who can become role models in road safety. We want young people to understand that being a good driver goes beyond simply knowing how to operate a vehicle,” she said.
Ms Ndlovu said the initiative also exposed young drivers to skills that could help them respond appropriately in real-life situations.
The ABYD competition targets young motorists and seeks to promote safe and responsible driving while equipping participants with skills in defensive driving, traffic laws, vehicle mechanics and first aid.
Nyoni’s victory marks another milestone in his campaign after he emerged winner of the Southern Region semi-finals in Bulawayo, beating Respect Ndebele and Herbert Mkandiwa.
The African finals in Tanzania will give Nyoni and Kurai an opportunity to compete against national finalists from other African countries for continental honours.
