Potholes have been a headache for a long time and countless calls from many drivers and commuters have fallen on deaf ears.
It is for this reason that Discovery Insure and Avis on Wednesday announced a partnership at Modderfontein in support of the Discovery Pothole Patrol in Johannesburg.
The partnership will create a bird’s eye view for the companies to identify and repair potholes across the city.
The first group of 24 students from Alexandra and Thembisa have been enrolled in the Discovery Pothole Patrol Academy to be equipped with skills and a SETA-accredited qualification to become entrepreneurs in the operation.
Speaking to Sunday World on the sidelines of the launch, one of the students shared his gratitude for the opportunity.
Joshua Radebe, team leader and student at the Pothole Patrol Academy located in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, said: “This is a great opportunity. I am one of the five who started with pothole patrol in 2021.
“I do not regret accepting the responsibility to play my role at pothole patrol, the certificate that I will obtain will allow me to open my business and employ more people. Age was not on my side, but I am grateful for the opportunity.”
Discovery Pothole Patrol Programme coordinator Jonathan Gratch said the pothole patrol has been functioning for the past two years.
“We have put in action the Discovery Pothole Patrol Academy with Avis, we have our first trained academy class of 24 learners who are learning all the required techniques so they can ultimately get the qualification and qualify to do work in the private sector, for the city, and their own enterprises going forward.
“The school is built on the east of Johannesburg where students will learn and be trained on site, but what we are doing is bringing people from different communities and upskilling them so they can go back and work in their communities.
“We have hopes that this skill will qualify them when their councillors outsource work.”
Ramasela Ganda, Group CEO of Zeda Limited and Avis Southern Africa, said the company has chosen to enter into the partnership because it has over 230 000 fleet under management.
“This means more people on the road and more lives to consider. It is of importance that the road is safe for commuters, our customers, employees and ourselves. A lot of accidents are linked to potholes. Avis believes that life is more important than cars,” said Ganda.
City of Johannesburg MMC for transport Kenny Kunene was also in attendance.
He said: “JRA [Johannesburg Road Agency] and the city has been having a relationship with Discovery since 2021.
“My priority is not potholes, but rather the road infrastructure of the City of Johannesburg that includes the bridges, resurfacing of roads, the backlog and rebuilding some roads.
“This includes bringing Joburg Water on board and the minerals department. Potholes are the effects of a failed infrastructure that is not maintained, and this partnership will assist us in the long run.”
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