The South African Road Federation (SARF), of which SARTSMA is an active member, were approached by the Johannesburg Emergency Services to help revamp the Rhodes Park Junior Traffic Training Centre (JTTC). The centre had not been in operation for more than 15 years and the road surface at the site was cracked and broken, the road markings and road signs were old and faded, and the lawns were totally overgrown. The SARF Northern Region committee took a hands-on approach to refurbishing the centre and commenced with replacement of the damaged sections of the road surface with new paving blocks. Garry Savill, of the South African Road Traffic Sign Manufacturers’ Association (SARTSMA), was approached to assist with removal and replacement of the old, damaged road traffic signs. Replacement of the signs, including installation of new poles, was completed, free of charge, by SARTSMA members. All the traffic signs were replaced with smaller sized and more appropriate road traffic sign designs to improve the road sign infrastructure in the training centre. Athol Agulhas of Ennis Flint Africa (SARTSMA & SARF Member) appointed a road marking contractor to repaint the damaged and faded road markings. SARF purchased 15 new bicycles and 15 helmets for the JTTC. The official launch took place on November 26th 2016, with SARF providing food and refreshments for the attendees. Avery Dennison, Ennis Flint Africa, and SARTSMA generously provided bags filled with reflective bangles, pens, books, chips, and sweets to the children, while Vusi Tshabangu of 3M provided road safety colouring books and colouring pencils. The welcome address was presented by Ward Councillor Carlos Da Rocha. Other speakers included the speaker of Johannesburg, Speaker Vasco da Gama, Vusi Thabangu SARF Northern Region Chairperson, MMC for Public Safety for Johannesburg Councillor Michael Sun, and finally the spokesperson of JMPD Edna Mamonyane. The ribbon was cut by the officials and the JTTC was opened to the children to do a ride past on their brand-new bicycles, followed by the officials on foot. The children were able to ride their bicycles around the new track all day, where they were guided by members of the JMPD who taught them what each sign meant and explained the rules of the road to them. JMPD Spokesperson Edna Mamonyane also told the children that if their parents broke the traffic laws, they should inform her so that she could reprimand the offenders. The MMC approached SARF after the event to see if SARF could assist with having more JTTC’s erected. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all who helped give the Junior Traffic Training Centre a new look.
Cutting the Ribbon:
The Children in Action:
The Sponsors of the Junior Traffic Training Centre:
