Community stands together to rehab roadway

Chris de Villiers Street, a notorious sight for sore eyes, and a menace to motorists and heavy vehicle drivers alike, as been partially rehabilitated in order to make the surface traversable once again. As complaints regarding this roadway has fallen on deaf ears at Msukaligwa Local Municipality for more than 4 years, residents and business owners decided to band together and take action. In an unprecedented joint operation, members of SG Coal, Van Wettens Towing Services, Wozani Berg Gasoline (WBG), Mavuso Towing and various other stakeholders toiled in the scorching heat of the past weekend, making the road surface fit for traffic yet again. Pick n Pay Ermelo rustled up meals and cold drinks, and delivered it to the teams on site, and showing their support in the initiative.

Ellwyn Thomas of WBG and Gerhard de Kock from SG Coal has been on site from dawn until disk, motivating the teams, and ensuring that the rehabilitation was done in record time. FJ Oosthuizen from SG Coal was also in site, and encouraged and thanked his drivers for sacrificing their weekend for the benefit of the community. Ronnie and his team pumped water from the sinkholes to ensure easier compacting of materials, while Msukaligwa Local Municipality also provided teams and a roller to assist in the work. Vida Water Ermelo also contributed in quenching the thirst, by donating water to site workers and assistants.

A local resident also expressed gratitude by providing lunch to the workers on site. A mention of thanks is also extended to James Gregory, CEO of WBG for donating fuel for trucks on site. It goes to show that if the community works together, much can be achieved. Thanks to a group of sterling individuals and companies, the nightmare that was Chris de Villiers Street is relieved for a while, and motorists and heavy vehicle drivers can traverse the roadway with very few issues. You may view more videos and photos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo.