South Africans can now become qualified pothole fixers

South Africans can now qualify to fix potholes through the Discovery Pothole Patrol Academy, which was set in motion earlier this month.

OBTAIN AN ACCREDITED QUALIFICATION

Discovery ran a successful pilot last year which included 18 learners. The Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) accredited the Discovery Pothole Patrol Academy. It offers a 12-month practical skills training programme offering an NQF Level 3 qualification, according to Business Tech.

“Participants will obtain a National Certificate in Roadworks Construction upon completion,” the insurer said.

“We want to sustainably uplift the academy’s learners so that once they complete the 12-month programme, they know how to repair potholes and what to do in a road construction environment and are equipped to start their own business,” Discovery added.

QUALIFY AS POTHOLE-FIXER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Since the Pothole Patrol’s launch, the initiative has fixed over 200 000 potholes on major Johannesburg roads. Initially, the project aimed to repair 1 000 potholes a week, but it has exceeded this target by 25%.

The insurer launched this initiative because of the country’s crumbling roads and the lack of resources to fix failures like potholes.

WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT NOT FIXING POTHOLES?

The National Department of Transport developed an app – Operation Vala Zonke – to help fix potholes in South Africa over a year ago. However, provincial and municipal officials still don’t know how to use the system, and training is still on the go.

Gauteng has the most potholes by far compared to other provinces. According to The Citizen, potholes on South African roads have steadily increased over the past five years. At the end of last year, there were an estimated 25 million potholes on SA roads.

Frustrated residents of Mamelodi Gardens in Pretoria have started fixing potholes themselves after reporting it but getting no action from the Tshwane municipality. Resident Phillimon Siwele said that 23 households volunteered to patch the roads and donated cement, sand, and concrete. They meet every Saturday to patch the holes. Siwele stated that fixing vehicles damaged by potholes is far more expensive than filling potholes.

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