|
City officials were recently treated to six primary school plays on the importance of road safety. And while they may not be old enough to drive, these youngsters proved to be excellent messengers to Joburg drivers.
Mayoral committee member for transport, Rehana Moosajee, with some young road safety ambassadors
LEARNERS from six primary schools in Joburg recently showcased their acting talent while putting emphasis on the importance of obeying the rules of the road.
Their plays formed part of a competition held by the City's transportation department and the Johannesburg Roads Agency in celebration of Transport Month.
Each participating school won a R10 000 cash prize, as well as hampers for each participating learner.
An additional prize was given to the winning school by the Automobile Association (AA).
"We decided to donate money to each school so that they can better their road safety equipment at school," said the mayoral committee member for transport, Rehana Moosajee, said on Wednesday, 29 October at the Joburg Promusica Theatre in Roodepoort.
The schools were asked to incorporate a message about road safety and the City's transport values, which include accountability, co-operation, honesty, respect and ubuntu.
Vukuzenzele Primary School in Soweto walked away with the first prize; a cheque of R3 000 from the AA.
"We believe that all the teams are winners because this event was not so much about competition but more about road safety," said AA spokesperson, Gary Ronald.
One of the judges, Ntombi Singo from Gauteng's road safety department, said Vukuzenzele won because they delivered their production with drama and enthusiasm.
"We were looking for creativity, language, drama and of course the message. Vukuzenzele gave us all these things," Singo said.
Among the six schools attending the event was Philip Kushlik Primary, a school for children with cerebral palsy. Their play focused on the importance of knowing road signs, respecting other road users and being honest by not selling or buying fraudulent licences.
The JRA's spokesperson Conel Mackay was the programme director for the day.
After the performances, an emotional Mackay said, "I just wish that impatient and selfish road users would be considerate of these special and beautiful people that we share the road with."
During Transport Month, Moosajee, groups from the JRA and transportation department, and volunteers from a youth desk at the Jeppe Police station visited all seven of Johanneburg's regions.
Discussions and planning sessions were held in each region, with the emphasis on improving public transport.
The team also visited schools to educate the children on the rules of the road.
The month has also seen the launch of a limited edition book about the history of public transport in Johannesburg titled, The People Shall Move. A copy of the book will be available at all City libraries. It is not available for sale.
The Transport Month calendar will end on Tuesday 4 November with the official opening of the first Bus Rapid Transit system station in Joubert Park.
Related stories:
|
