Self-appointed traffic Pointsmen are helping the city’s congestion by working when the intersections don’t.
Johannesburg, South Africa – Street buskers and beggars are topping the social media trends after recent Loadshedding and heavy downpours have impacted the traffic around the country.
Good Things Guy readers have been tagging us and sending in photos over the past 24 hours that we just couldn’t ignore!
It might not seem like a big thing but when a street busker steps up to help South African citizens stuck in traffic, we have to take notice. The realisation is that by being in the middle of an intersection, they are much further away from any cars, which means there is no way that will earn any tips for that shift… and yet they do it anyway!
The men and women who are helping with the congestion, usually work the roads begging or busking for money, but decided that they too were sick and tired of the traffic. Hoping to alleviate the frustration, many have taken to the centre of the intersections and are helping move the cars to where they need to be.
“Today the traffic down Republic cnr William Nicol was at a standstill due to load shedding & heavy rain. So 2 guys, who I think usually juggle at the intersection for money, started directing traffic & cleared the jam. Legends! – ” – Julie Monson said when sending the photo to us!
“Love this country. Two random guys helping the afternoon traffic flow. Made my day.” – Bonita Mackenzie.
“A big shout out to the usually irritating jugglers at the intersections who have been directing traffic during load shedding. (Corner William Nichol Drive and Republic Road)” – Wendy Sidwell
South African drivers are so used to seeing Pointsmen on the roads that they may not have thought twice about whether these gents were actually official, but a paid traffic congestion employee will always wear an official “JMPD traffic control” uniform.
The Pointsmen Project is the result of a great partnership with the cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane. Top areas covered and most problematic intersections in each city are monitored to ensure pointsmen are dispatched effectively.
Since its modest beginning in 2005, thousands of motorists around Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and Cape Town have come to rely on the assistance of the OUTsurance Pointsmen Project.
“There are two types of pointsmen: static pointsmen who are assigned to specific high-traffic intersections and mobile pointsmen who are dispatched to traffic hot spots at a moment’s notice. These men and women are truly passionate about making your daily commute as stress-free as possible – you’ll recognise them by their bright-yellow bibs, toothy grins and friendly demeanour!”
We have contacted the OUTsurance Pointsmen Project to let them know that these gentlemen would make incredible employees and also that this intersection seems to be a big traffic-jam problem.
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