Trans-Kalahari Corridor has joined hands with the Border Management Authority to embark on an awareness campaign to sensitise haulage truck drivers about the El Niño related heatwave.

Trans-Kalahari Corridor, Executive Director, Leslie Mpofu said the event is a multi-agency El Niño awareness and health screening campaign.

Mpofu said the event will feature addresses by health professionals and interactive sessions with truck drivers to educate them on heatwaves.

According to Mpofu, the campaign has been necessitated by the high traffic volumes, which are degenerating into long delays at ports of entry due to the increase in cargo and the deviation of traffic into the Trans-Kalahari Corridor.

“Because of heatwaves and the El Niño phenomenon, we are experiencing extreme temperatures, which have an impact on three key areas: people, drivers and cargo, as well as the vehicles and equipment themselves. It is therefore very important to train drivers on how to identify and respond to the effects of extreme heat, including heatstroke. They also need to understand how to manage driving in hot weather and prevent tyre bursts. High temperatures affect both the air inside the tyres and the road surface, which can influence tyre pressure and increase the risk of tyre-related incidents. Therefore, equipping drivers with the necessary knowledge and skills is essential to ensuring their safety and protecting the cargo and vehicles.”

TKC is a tripartite transboundary corridor established with a political and economic vision to pursue and contribute towards deeper regional integration of SADC AND SACU.