EDITOR’S NOTE
THEY’RE not JMPD or SAPS officers. Neither are they the OUTsurance pointsmen that we’ve come to rely on when load shedding strikes or traffic lights stop working, plunging Joburg streets into a chaotic mess.
On the corners of Eighth Street and Enoch Sontonga Avenue in Vrededorp, near Wits University, there are men who’ve taken it upon themselves to direct traffic. And when load shedding hit on Monday afternoon, they sprang into action, putting on yellow reflective bibs, one of them using a white plastic glove as a makeshift glove.
This was a welcome, useful gesture as traffic moved swiftly. Elsewhere in Joburg, a Twitter user acknowledged another “random member of the public” directing traffic at the corner of William Nicol Drive and Fourways Boulevard, hailing the man as a hero.
I couldn’t agree more. These men are heroes who selflessly give of their time and risk their lives because there are always those ungrateful, arrogant motorists who’d ignore them and just drive on without a care in the world.
I noticed this on Monday when a female motorist simply ignored the self-appointed points-men driving on to join Enoch Sontonga Avenue from Eighth Street. She made hand gestures and waved the points-men off when they tried to stop her.
I found that woman’s conduct appalling and disrespectful to these heroes, who didn’t have to stand in the middle of the intersection directing traffic but selflessly gave of their time to assist motorists.
With Eskom having implemented stage four load shedding on Monday, we have to brace ourselves for more dark days and traffic madness.
It’s frustrating to be stuck in traffic but as you sit there enraged, bear in mind that you are not the only one in a hurry to get to a meeting, fetch your children from school, take your pet to the vet or simply get home to rest after a taxing day at the office.
Show some respect to those people who are there to help. It’s not their fault that Eskom has placed us in this mess. It’s not their fault that there’s load shedding. They are there to help, and if you can’t handle the chaos, then simply stay at home or use public transport so you can bury your head in a book while the drivers manoeuvre the congested roads.
Everyone is affected, businesses are losing money – particularly small businesses that do not have back-up generators. So, if you’re going to get mad, direct your anger at Eskom. Maybe picket their head office and vent your anger there because they’re the ones to blame, not the poor points-men whose only aim is to make it easier for everyone.
Yesterday, the power utility announced we have now moved from stage four to stage three load shedding. So while you’re working on taming your anger, try to use electricity sparingly by switching off geysers and all non-essential appliances, such as pool pumps. To check the load shedding schedule for your area, see www.loadshedding.eskom.co.za or citypower. co.za if you are a Joburg resident.