Originally published on 05 February 2024
What was the problem?
Load shedding in South Africa causes big traffic problems, especially at busy intersections. In Tshwane, for example, the R21 and Nellmapius Drive intersection often had traffic jams during power cuts, which were unsafe and frustrating for drivers.
How did they fix it?
The city began an adopt-a-light programme, which asked businesses and communities to help keep traffic lights working. Hollard Insure, with the City of Tshwane and other partners, connected the traffic lights at the R21 and Nellmapius Drive intersection to backup power from a local office building nearby which agreed to help.
The project started to keep traffic lights working during load shedding and Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink praised the teamwork, saying it helped traffic move and made roads safer.
The success of this project inspired other businesses, like MacRobert Incorporated Attorneys, to adopt traffic lights in other areas, helping with traffic problems during power cuts.
Acknowledgements:
Original article written by: Rapula Moatshe
Photograph supplied by: Mayor Cilliers Brink
Get your community involved
Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.
Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.
Know your rights – how local government works
It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.
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