Peter Tanyanyiwa
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter
PRIMARY and Secondary Education Minister Dr Torerayi Moyo has commended the Be Road Safe Africa Programme for influencing behavioural change, especially among pupils.
He was speaking at the Puma Energy Zimbabwe Be Road Safe Africa Prize-giving ceremony at David Livingstone Primary School recently.
The Be Road Safe Africa Programme, now in its second year in Zimbabwe, is a collaborative initiative between Puma Energy Zimbabwe, Amend, and the Road Safe Zimbabwe Trust.
The event, which drew together Government officials, educators, corporate partners, and hundreds of schoolchildren, celebrated the achievements of young road safety champions.
This year, the campaign reached over 9 800 pupils across five primary schools—Alfred Beit, Borrowdale Primary School, David Livingstone, Mabvuku, and Admiral Tait—empowering children as young as four with vital road safety knowledge and practical skills.
Since its inception, the programme has impacted more than 38 000 children across Africa, aiming to instill lifelong safe road habits in the continent’s future drivers and pedestrians.
“What we have witnessed today clearly demonstrates that education is indeed the answer to curbing road traffic accidents in Zimbabwe,” Dr Moyo said.
“Through their drawings, these children have powerfully communicated the consequences of unsafe road practices.
“This partnership is a testament to how combined efforts and initiatives, such as the Puma Be Road Safe Africa campaign, can lead to truly significant and positive behavioural change.”
Dr Moyo highlighted the alignment of the campaign with Zimbabwe’s Heritage-Based Curriculum and Education 5.0, which seek to empower learners with skills and values rooted in the nation’s identity and collective responsibility.
“When we teach our children to care not just for their own safety, but also that of their peers, we foster a culture rooted in empathy, accountability, and collective responsibility,” he said. “That is the Zimbabwe we want to build—one where every citizen, young or old, plays their part in saving lives.”
Puma Energy Zimbabwe’s general manager Mr Patrick Ngugi, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to the cause.
“We believe that safety education is the most powerful tool in preventing road tragedies, and it starts with young children,” he said.
“Children are uniquely positioned to be powerful road safety ambassadors. At home, they often influence the attitudes of parents and caregivers, using their knowledge to encourage safer road use.
“Most importantly, the lessons they learn stay with them, offering long-term protection and serving as an internal guide when faced with critical safety decisions. Puma Energy is fully committed to the Be Road Safe Africa programme, and we hope to roll it out to other cities and regions in Zimbabwe in the near future.”
Road Safe Zimbabwe Trust executive director and a survivor of a near-fatal traffic accident, Mr Sam Nyaude, called for national unity in tackling the road safety crisis.
“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy. This programme is more than just training; it’s an investment in the future,” he said.
“It is a plea to every road user to prioritise safety, and a testament to the power of our children to lead us towards a road safe Zimbabwe.”
The campaign’s unique “Kids Court” initiative, held outside Alfred Beit Primary School, saw children take on judicial roles to ‘fine’ and educate motorists on safe driving.
In this engaging exercise, 35 drivers received symbolic fines and signed pledges to drive safely, demonstrating the power of child-led civic engagement.
Jada Munerenyu from Borrowdale Primary School was the overall winner of the Be Road Safe Africa art competition.
Her school received US$2 000 for safety enhancements and learning aids, while nine other children were also recognised for their creative contributions.
All participating schools will benefit from new educational materials to reinforce a culture of road safety.
Online Reporter