Meet Tendai Belindah Lisenda: A Catalyst for Change in Botswana’s School Zones

As the Road Safety Coordinator for the Letlhakeng District Road Safety Committee, she is committed to reducing road crashes involving school children. Her responsibilities include facilitating the implementation of road safety interventions and educational activities within both Letlhakeng and Kweneng District Road Safety Committees.

Belindah’s journey toward promoting school zone safety began in 2013 when her committee launched a safer school patrol programme. Partnering with the police, they recruited local volunteers to assist children in crossing roads safely. This initiative was a resounding success, inspiring other committees to adopt similar practices. To create a lasting impact, Belindah and her committee collaborated with the Kweneng Art Teachers Association (KWATA) to develop road safety murals at schools in remote areas. These murals visually reinforced safer crossing tips and road safety practices, helping children internalize these lessons.

Since becoming involved with the Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) tool in early 2024, Belindah has witnessed a transformation in her approach to school road safety. As a SR4S assessor, she gained a deeper understanding of the risks children faced and how to address them. This globally recognized tool also fostered broader stakeholder involvement in road safety initiatives by providing evidence-based assessments of school infrastructure risks. Driven by a desire to share her knowledge, Belindah became a SR4S trainer. She was passionate about empowering others with the tools and skills to make a difference in their communities.

With the support of the EA991′s school zone programmes and the continued use of SR4S, Belindah is hopeful for a future where all Botswana’s school roads are rated 3-stars or better. “I’m hopeful we will see stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure our roads can safely accommodate children’s mobility,” Belindah said.

Belindah’s unwavering dedication to road safety and her leadership in school zone interventions are instrumental in creating safer roads for Botswana’s schoolchildren. iRAP is eager to collaborate with exceptional individuals like Belindah and other road safety stakeholders in Botswana to support their ongoing efforts to enhance school zone safety.

Images  top right – Belindah providing guidance to students in Letlhakeng District on school zone safety.

Image middle right – Belindah collaborates with school teachers to create road safety murals, reinforcing safer crossing tips and road safety practices at schools

Image middle right – The Safer School Patrol Programme in Letlhakeng District helps students cross the street safely

Images bottom right – Belindah (second row, second from the left) conducted the SR4S Training in September 2024 as a certified SR4S Master Trainer

Image credits: Tendai Belindah Lisenda, Letlhakeng District Road Safety Committee, and EA991