We travelled to the Southern Drakensberg with friends last week. Our route took us along the route familiar to those who have driven the vehicles of the Sani2C cyclists from Glencairn Farm to Scottburgh.
The good news is that the roads have been repaired and, although there are still the occasional potholes, the road surface is now a pleasure to drive along.
But there is a downside to this road, as is the case with many roads that traverse the rural areas of South Africa.
In the first instance, certain sections of the road passing through the rural settlements are an absolute disgrace as the litter problem is horrendous.
The villagers seem to have no pride in their villages and appear to ignore the filth and litter that abounds in and around these settlements.
If the president were to travel along these roads, he would have to take heed of the situation and do something presidential and implore or even instruct a general clean-up.
Instead, he now makes a public statement that he is going to Japan “to bring the William Webb Ellis back to South Africa”.
Trying to emulate former presidents Mandela and Mbeki is nothing more than spending taxpayer’s money, unless, of course, he flies Economy Class?
Upon our return to Scottburgh I picked up last week’s Rising Sun and on the front page, a news headline read, “Accident claims Umzinto Secondary learner’s life”.
This tragic accident happened on the R612 in the vicinity of Sawoti. A taxi and a truck collided head on.
This was the very road on which we travelled to and from the ‘Berg. During both of our trips to and from the ‘Berg, we experienced incidents that makes it obvious that head-on collisions are not unusual in this area.
We had two experiences on both trips, in which drivers overtook us at more than 120 km per hour on blind rises and corners, which restricted visibility, to the danger of oncoming vehicles.
The provincial roads department may as well have saved some of their budget by not painting double barrier lines, as these are simply ignored.
The solution? One simply must take extra care when driving along these roads and be aware that some drivers will overtake anywhere. It is of no use thinking that one has the right of way.
To think that all drivers operate their vehicles as reasonable persons, is fraught with danger.
Defensive driving takes on a totally new meaning.
What is Fikile Mbalula, the Minister of Transport, doing to try to reduce the carnage on our roads?
It seems that he is of the opinion that if he visits the bereaved to offer the government’s condolences, his job has been done. The Springboks qualified for the Rugby World Cup final scheduled for this coming Saturday. What a nail biter the semi-final match was between Wales and the ‘Boks.
They meet England in the final. Eighteen months ago, the Springboks were a hopeless mess.
In stepped Rassie Erasmus as head coach and here they are competing for the Holy Grail of rugby on Saturday morning.
Win or lose in the final, the Boks are back!
