The Branch family has decided to auction the outfit that Botswana’s rally rider, Ross Branch wears at the ongoing Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. His manager Aimee Branch said their family decided to auction the rally outfit given the significance that such an act would have.“Ross and I decided to auction the suit at the end of the Dakar Rally 2026 because we felt its true value lies in giving back. Proceeds from the auction will go toward supporting children’s education in Botswana,” revealed Aimee.Aimee, who is also wife to Branch, said the special significance of Ross Branch’s Dakar cold-weather suit lied entirely in its design and meaning, rather than from the materials from which it was made.She said the design was a one-of-a-kind; being visual collage made up of drawings created by children from schools and playgroups across Botswana, based on the theme: What Botswana means to You.“Each drawing represents a child’s view of home, culture, wildlife, and dreams. Together, they form a deeply personal artwork that Ross will carry with him during Dakar,” Aimee said.She said the materials and technical specifications were not the focus of the project. The suit, she said, itself met Dakar regulations and performance requirements, but the story behind it was about representation, creativity and purpose, no fabric or construction details. T he suit was produced by MIRA Active Wear in Cape Town, Sout h Africa, in close collaboration with Branch and his team.Aimee said like all professional Dakar gear, the suit was designed for extreme cold conditions and rider comfort.She however revealed that what truly stood out for Branch was the emotional connection; carrying a piece of home and the voices of children from Botswana with him during one of the toughest races in the world. “Th e motivation was to allow Ross to represent Botswana in a meaningful, authentic way – not just through the flag or colours, but through the creativity of its children. We wanted the suit to tell a story of home, pride, and possibility,” she said. Aimee also said the concept originated with Gerrit and the MIRA Active Wear team, and the artwork was created entirely by children across Botswana. She said herself and the ‘Kalahari Ferrari’ alias, Branch had worked closely with the team and schools to bring the final vision together. It is worth, she added, cannot be measured by material cost and it is priceless because of the stories, creativity and purpose it represents.
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