While the world celebrated Nelson Mandela’s birthday, Traffic officers in the North West had a different approach in celebrating the day. They changed their law enforcement approach, by getting motorist to sign a pledge to commit that they will forever put on their safety belts when driving. More than 380 motorists signed pledges during road blocks on the main road of the North West Province on Thursday.
The main aim of the gesture was to get the motorist to assist traffic authorities in saving lives and further prevent deaths on provincial roads. Motorists travelling between Lichtenburg and Koster were encouraged to give Mandela a birthday gift of a life saving commitment by signing a pledge to put on their safety belts all the time, which most agreed and endorsed.
According to the Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison MEC Nono Maloyi, the department has realised that most motorists and passengers don’t put on their safety belts when travelling and that contributes to the high number of deaths on the road.
“Most of our beloved die as a result of not putting on their safety belts. Therefore we would like them to commit to save their lives and that of their family members. This will be the greatest gift to the former president Nelson Mandela who valued life. We appeal to our people to live with this commitment as it will definitely saves lives which Mandela fought for,” said Maloyi.
Meanwhile officials within Public Safety also spend their 67 minutes in honouring Mandela’s legacy by painting pedestrian crossings in some parts of Mahikeng and further spread the message of safe driving and comply with the law. “This is a life time legacy that will save the lives of our people in these roads. The humps will assist in getting motorists to reducing their speed in residential areas,” said departmental MEC Nono Maloyi.
One of the motorists in Mahikeng Mr Kedibone Lambrits praised the department and the municipality for installing these humps. "I really appreciate what the department is doing on residential areas, these humps will reduce the death on our roads, more especially our children. We lost number of children and mostly those crossing at the pedestrian crossing on their way to school during pick hours," said Lambrits.
Among other some of the departmental officials cleaned the Dirisang Crisis Centre in Motswedi village outside Zeerust, while others continued to cut trees and grass at areas identified to be hives for criminals around Mafikeng. Several disadvantaged community members receive food parcels and others continued to cast foundations for elderly people, where government will build houses for them.
Enquiries:
Simon Lesolang Mmope, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 4826
Cell: 082 574 7621
Fax: 018 391 0328
E-mail: smmope@nwpg.gov.za
