Livestock reflector belt to curb road accidents

Spira Tlhankane | Tuesday November 17, 2015 11:49

 

Othusitse said he then decided to look for material to combine into a reflector belt. Othusitse said with help from his partners, he managed to manufacture the reflector belt.

Othusitse said the main purpose of this belt is to save lives.

“People are dying, cars are being crashed and animal life is being lost during these road accidents. The reflector belt is not the solution but it will reduce accidents,” he said.

He said the belts are designed for donkeys, cattle and goats.  He said they have not yet approached the Department of Wildlife but they are open to the idea. “Wildlife is not the target because domestic animals are mostly the ones implicated in road accidents,” he said.  He said the belt would be launched on December 5.

“Councils from all over Botswana will be there including the Matimela department. He said Farmers Association would also be present because they are the biggest producers of livestock keepers.

He, however, said a stakeholder meeting would be held at the end of this month.

“There will be a video presentation of the livestock reflector belt and it will include the usage and purpose. We will also combine all of our potential sponsors and stakeholders,” he said.  Othusitse said they have already communicated with the Ministry of Agriculture and the department of road transport and safety.  “We have included other companies and stakeholders that can be concerned about road safety,” he said.

He said the main aim is to launch the reflector belt and then raise 10,000 belts that would be distributed to farmers freely for the festive season.

“The festive season is coming up and a lot of people will be travelling so it is better to be safe than never,” he said.

Othusitse said they want people to see the importance of this belt for their lives and livestock.  He said they have approached a number of farmers who are interested in purchasing the belt.  “We sell the piece for the neck at P175 each and the one for the leg is P125,” he said.  Othusitse said the price declines as the volume of belts purchased goes up.