Residents of Pretoria North are breathing a sigh of relief as a long-standing pothole that has plagued the community for months has finally been filled.
The notorious pothole on Horn Street has been repaired, bringing much-needed relief to drivers and pedestrians alike.
The pothole, which had grown over time due to heavy rains and inadequate maintenance, has turned a routine drive into a treacherous journey for many residents.
Complaints about the pothole poured in from local residents, who expressed frustration over the lack of timely action by the local authorities.
“It felt like a game of dodgeball every time I drove through that area.
“I had to constantly watch the road and hope I didn’t hit potholes. It was stressful, especially with children in the car,” said Sarah Mokoena.
The road in question has been a vital artery for commuters and residents travelling to schools, businesses, and other essential services.
With the pothole growing deeper and wider, residents worried about their safety and the potential for accidents, particularly as the rainy season approached.
Local leaders and community organisations banded together to advocate for repairs.
Mokoena said residents constantly engaged with Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer to voice their concerns.
“Engaging with the ward councillor became a powerful tool for mobilisation as we urged him to take action.”
The mounting pressure on the councillor finally prompted action, leading to a commitment to repair the pothole.
After almost three months of waiting and repeated calls for action, the community was relieved when workers finally arrived to assess and repair the damage.
Residents have expressed gratitude for the action taken to resolve the issue.
“Driving on the road is finally a pleasant experience. I can drive without worrying about damaging my car or risking an accident.”
Meyer said residents must continue reporting potholes.
While the repair of the pothole has brought immediate relief, residents are hopeful that the local ward councillor will be more proactive on road maintenance moving forward.
Residents should remain vigilant, advocating for ongoing maintenance and improvements to their community infrastructure.
The R200 to Fix a Pothole Challenge, spearheaded by the AfriForum Noord van die Berg (north of the mountain) branch in collaboration with Meyer, is bringing about change in addressing the pothole crisis that has long plagued the area.
The recently started grassroots initiative has mobilised residents to contribute R200 each to fund road repairs, and the results have been significant.
It was launched in response to mounting concerns over deteriorating road conditions in Ward 2, which led to safety hazards, vehicle damage, and frustration among residents.
With municipal resources stretched thin and repair requests piling up, the R200 Challenge provided a practical and proactive solution to the problem.
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