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Michael Makuza, Business Reporter

AS part of its Breast Cancer Awareness month activities, the Automobile Association of Zimbabwe (AAZ), is rolling out a free basic car maintenance course at its offices countrywide.

The programme began on Saturday and targets female drivers in direct response to a knowledge and skills gap that emanates from the belief that vehicle maintenance is a preserve for males who tend to be car enthusiasts from a tender age and do not mind getting their hands dirty with grease and oils.

Bulawayo AAZ regional branch manager, Mr Peter Gerald Locke, said statistics from their tow services show that female motorists experience breakdowns due to a flat tyre or minor mechanical or electrical faults but cannot resolve the issues because of lack of basic car maintenance knowledge.

“This is the reason why this October we are offering Zimbabwe’s female motorists a unique opportunity to gain basic car maintenance knowledge as AAZ’s way of commemorating breast cancer awareness,” said Mr Locke.

“This initiative promotes safe travels for our female motorists, which starts with a well-maintained vehicle.”
AAZ has been operating in Zimbabwe for 99 years and continues to strive to meet the needs of Zimbabwean motorists and its members by providing 24-hour roadside assistance, diagnostic checks, vehicle inspections, vehicle valuations, technical advice and legal advice.

Mr Locke said AAZ’s ladies’ car maintenance course seeks to empower participants with knowledge and skills on how to change a tyre, how to check and top up engine oil, checks on battery, brakes and other skills.

“I encourage lady motorists across Zimbabwe to participate in this potentially life-saving course because road safety is one thing that we cannot take for granted,” said Mr Locke.

Speaking on the experience gained, a Bulawayo-based motorist, Mrs Tendai Moyo, said she did not know how to fix her vehicle but she is excited now that she is able do it by herself.

“I appreciate it because sometimes we are stranded as ladies when we are faced with breakdowns and we end up paying huge sums of money on things I can say are easy to do after seeing how it is done,” said Mrs Moyo.

“I’m now able to fix my car thanks to this course afforded to us by Automobile Association of Zimbabwe.”