A group of cyclists from Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa have undertaken a 1,800-kilometre ride to raise awareness about the significance of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor (TKC). 

The cycling initiative is a first step towards the elimination of tariff barriers erected at borders and within countries. 

The team embarked on this journey from Rustenburg in South Africa to Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region. 

Welcoming the cyclists at the Mamuno-Trans Kalahari Border Post in the Omaheke Region, the Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, highlighted the significance of the corridor in economic development and cooperation between member states. 

Mutorwa added that it was high time countries spent less time on theoretical planning than implementing concrete and visible projects that benefit communities. 

"Nobody is interested in the time of reviewing, accountability, or hearing excuses, so this place and the corridor will serve their purpose. What is the purpose of roads and railways? It is for the seamless, as we have pledged here, seamless, undisturbed, peaceful movements of goods, services, and people." 

Botswana's Minister of Transport and Public Works, Eric Molale, stressed that this initiative has the potential to unlock the economic status of communities that live along the Corridor. 

"We must be allowed to move freely across our region; we must harness our processes and protocols that facilitate that free movement; and we must invest along the corridor. That is what these honourable cyclists are bringing, and we shall witness you in a moment when we sign the pledge that will be a complete pledge that brings commitment, and that has been inspired by this cyclist." 

The cyclists said the journey started off very well without any hiccups, and they are looking forward to achieving their ultimate goal of reaching the Erongo Region.

The cycling initiative is being held under the theme "Transforming the Trans Kalahari Corridor into an Economic Corridor."