Much loved pointsman receives a bonus
SANDTON – A week after a resident started a crowdfunding campaign for a pointsman, he was surprised with his bonus at their year-end meeting.
Following a community-driven initiative by a Bryanston resident, a much-loved pointsman has received his bonus.
The Sandton Chronicle reported in Call on residents to help to crowdfund, Week ending 7 December about a resident who started a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a pointsman’s dedication and hard work.
Susan Krause, the resident who started the campaign, said she took it upon herself to create a community fund within Bryanston to acknowledge this outstanding person. “The idea for this started when I posted about Samuel (Sammy) Moatse (or the ‘whistling pointsman’ as he is affectionately known), on the ‘I Love Bryanston’ Facebook page, realising many people pass him every day but don’t even know what his name is.”
Moatse is stationed on the corner of Bryanston Drive and Cottesmore Road where he directs traffic.
She said she received so many messages from people saying they should start a festive season collection to show their appreciation. “He is truly one of a kind human operating in Bryanston, so this led to me creating Back-a-Buddy donation portal.”
Krause said she contacted Traffic Freeflow, the organisation that runs the Outsurance pointsmen initiative, and arranged to secretly present Sammy with his bonus.
She was invited to be their guest at their year-end staff meeting where she surprised Sammy with the money. “We raised R2 045 from the community and he was ecstatic.”
Krause said there are 180 pointsmen in Johannesburg that most of us encounter on our commute every single day. “I really wish I could have honoured each one of them. My next step is to encourage other neighbourhoods to unite and acknowledge their pointsmen, even if its just a little R10 in the hand when driving by this festive season.”
She continued that we need these people and the service they offer. “I would also like to encourage support of the initiative, and the great work Traffic Free Flow does to keep these pointsmen on our streets.”
What do you think about this initiative? Share your views with us on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page
Related links:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/205858/traffic-signal-problems-explained/
