Puma Energy South Africa, in partnership with international road safety NGO AMEND, and local implementing partner Drive More Safely, has announced the commencement of the Be Road Safe Africa programme. This flagship initiative is aimed at improving road safety amongst primary school children across South Africa. The programme is aligned with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, which targets a 50% reduction in global road traffic fatalities and injuries by 2030.
The programme will initially target three key schools in Mpumalanga, strategically chosen for their proximity to Puma Energy’s operations. These include Maphakama Primary School in Kabokweni, Buhlebuyeta Primary School in Kanyamanzane, and Masoyi Primary School in Hazyview.
The Puma Energy Be Road Safe Africa programme directly addresses the alarming number of child fatalities and injuries in South Africa’s school zones. It employs a multi-pronged approach combining infrastructure advocacy, education, and engagement through child ambassadorship to foster a safer walking environment for learners within their schools and communities.
In recognition of Transport Month in South Africa, the programme’s activities will run throughout October and include comprehensive road safety education, an engaging drawing competition, and culminating in a Kids’ Court and Prizegiving Ceremony on 27 October. Kids’ Court empowers children, holds adults accountable and saves lives. Children are trained to be road safety judges. Reckless drivers are stopped by police outside schools, brought directly into the court, questioned by the child judges, and required to sign a pledge to drive safely.
Puma Energy South Africa Spokesperson, Ashington Makau, stated: “Every child has the right to travel safely to and from school. Through our partnership with AMEND and Drive More Safely, we are taking practical, life-saving steps to protect our children and empower communities with knowledge and resources that make a real difference. This programme is a testament to our commitment to the well-being of the communities we serve.”
The programme elements reflect globally recognised best practices and has already demonstrated success in other countries, including Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, reaching over 38,000 children across 20 schools in 2024.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) statistics for South Africa reflect the urgency of these interventions. Between January and March 2025, a staggering 2,050 fatal crashes occurred across the country, resulting in 2,403 lives lost. Tragically, nearly one in five (18.4%) of all road fatalities were children under 10 years old, and 8.99% of all pedestrian fatalities were children aged 5-14. With increasing traffic around urban and peri-urban schools posing daily risks to young learners, these alarming figures highlight the need for targeted interventions, especially during the particular times of the day and days when accidents spike.
Alida Venter, Founder of Drive More Safely added: “Simple, proven measures such as speed bumps, pedestrian crossings, and education campaigns can drastically reduce these tragic incidents. We are proud to work alongside Puma Energy South Africa and AMEND in this important effort to build a safer future for our children on the roads.“
The programme is part of Puma Energy South Africa’s broader commitment to community investment, particularly in the areas of health, education, and safety. With this initiative, the company continues to integrate impactful social responsibility into the business.