Three Batswana cyclists Kaone Ramontshonyana, Junior Sekolokwane and Lereo Mokwena have embarked on a countrywide cycling tour in a bid to campaign against drugs and alcohol abuse, substance abuse, gender-based violence (GBV) and irresponsible gambling.
The started on the 12th January 2026 in Kanye village and will finish on the 12th February 2026 back in Kanye.
Covering over 2 000 kilometres across 15 villages, the riders stop at schools, and public venues to hold awareness sessions about the growing danger of substance use, substance abuse, gender-based violence (GBV) and irresponsible gambling.
The targeted villages include Kanye, Jwaneng, Sekoma, Mabutsane, Kang, Ghanzi, Gweta, Nata, Francistown, Palapye, Mahalapye, Mochudi, Gaborone, Lobatse, and Kanye.
The initiative is expected to continue for a period of seven years. The campaign is currently sponsored by Cowburn, Fours and individuals, while the team intend to reach out to different stakeholders for support.
In Maun the cyclists met the Minister for State President, Defence and Security Moeti Mohwasa, North West District councillor and also reached out to Maun Senior Secondary School to address the students on drugs and alcohol abuse, substance abuse, gender-based violence (GBV) and irresponsible gambling.
Speaking during the Press Conference that was held in Maun this week, the team leader Kaone Ramontshonyana who is also a recovering drug addict said the campaign was influenced by the alarming cases of drugs and alcohol abuse, substance abuse, gender-based violence (GBV) and irresponsible gambling. Ramontshonyane said that government alone cannot play role in the fight against social ills as such community involvement is very important.
“I used alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes for 14 years, they nearly destroyed my life, in December 2014 I decided to quit. After quitting I embarked on going to schools, churches, organizations to share a message of hope that it is possible to quit drugs and it is possible to live a new drug free life,” he said.
Ramontshonyana lamented that the younger generation is falling into addiction, not realising how deeply it affects them therefore it was important to spread the message in order to save their lives.
