Originally published on 23 February 2022

Residents of Soutpan, Free State, have taken action to improve road safety. They filled dangerous potholes on the road into their community due to heavy rains.

What is the problem?

The road connecting Soutpan to nearby towns has deteriorated due to months of heavy rainfall. Deep potholes threaten the safety of road users, damaging vehicles and increasing accidents. The community decided to act, recognising that these conditions threatened road users’ lives.

How did they fix it?

Driven by civic responsibility, community members in Soutpan decided to repair the road themselves. Volunteers, using limited resources, dedicated their time to filling potholes and improving safety.

So, how did they do it?

• Community volunteers unite: Residents mobilized to address the pothole crisis. They recognised that the road's condition threatened their safety and decided to act together.

• Limited resources require strategic action: Lacking support and advanced equipment, volunteers relied on ingenuity and determination. They gathered materials and tools, working with what they had to repair the worst sections of the road.

• Safety precautions protect volunteers: Understanding the risks of working on a busy road, volunteers secured reflectors for visibility during early morning and late evening repairs. These precautions aimed to warn motorists and prevent crashes.

• Appeal for driver awareness: Volunteers urged motorists to drive responsibly and be aware of road conditions. They asked drivers to stick to speed limits and respect those improving the road.

• Recognition of volunteer limitations: Volunteers emphasised they were not professional workers but ordinary citizens trying to improve a dangerous situation. They highlighted the temporary nature of their repairs and the need for long-term solutions.

Acknowledgements

Author: Lee Simmons (OFM News)

Original article: Potholes: Community takes matters into own hands

Photograph: Lee Simmons

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.

How to set up a community group

How to start a WhatsApp group

How to start a residents' association

How to set up a community policing forum

How to set up a neighbourhood watch

How to organise community action

How to use media to create pressure for change

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.