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From Potholes to Progress: Joburg’s Street Teams Go to War on Crumbling Roads
At the corner of Northwold and Englewold Drive in Saxonwold, a pothole disappears in less than 20 minutes. No magic, just sweat, tar, and teamwork.
In the heart of Joburg’s ongoing road crisis, there’s a quiet battle being fought every day. Armed with thermal heaters, compactors, and goggles fogged by the heat, crews like Pot Shot 7 are filling holes, one by one, on roads that have long tested the patience (and tyres) of Johannesburg’s drivers.
Meet the Frontline Fighters
Kenneth Mothapo knows every hoot and wave from a passing driver means another job well done.
“We know we’re saving lives,” says Mothapo, who’s been patching roads in Joburg for three years. “A pothole isn’t just an inconvenience. It can cause an accident.”
His teammate, Joel Mokhine, nods in agreement as he prepares the hot tar for the next repair. Together with Buhle Nkosi, the team’s traffic controller, they form one of eight dedicated patrol teams repairing the city’s battered roads through a public-private initiative known as Pothole Patrol.
The work starts early, with crews heading out by 9am and wrapping up before peak-hour chaos begins. Small to medium-sized holes take roughly 30 minutes to fix, but the impact is long-lasting.
Mayoral Promise: August Deadline for Repairs
Joburg Mayor Dada Morero isn’t mincing words. He’s vowed that, by the end of August, potholes in parts of the city’s north — including Region B and Region E — will be history.
Speaking from Hyde Park, flanked by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), Morero launched the city’s latest “War on Potholes” campaign. The focus? Repair targeted wards first, then expand.
“This is not just about making announcements. We want residents to hold us accountable,” he said. “We’re restoring dignity to our roads.”
Pothole Repairs 101: Here’s How It’s Done
Forget the DIY quick-fixes. Proper pothole repair involves a detailed process:
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Clean the hole with a high-powered blower
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Heat the surface using a thermal heater
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Mix tar and rubble, then compress with a heavy-duty compactor
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Seal the patch using a special binding agent called SS60
The process may sound clinical, but it’s gruelling work. “We gear up like it’s a construction war zone,” laughs Mokhine. “Boots, masks, earplugs, the works.”
A Smart Solution: The App that Tracks Potholes
Joburg residents don’t have to wait for crews to arrive — they can now help steer them. The Pothole Patrol app, developed by Discovery Insure in partnership with the JRA and available on Android and iOS, lets users log potholes in real-time using GPS.
Once reported, a trained inspector is dispatched to assess and repair the damage. It’s part of a wider strategy to combine smart tech with real-world action.
Building Skills, Saving Lives
Beyond the short-term road fixes, this campaign is also building futures. Discovery Insure, in partnership with Avis Southern Africa, recently celebrated the first graduating class of its Pothole Patrol Academy. The 22 young South Africans received national roadworks certificates — opening doors to careers in construction and public infrastructure.
And the benefits go far beyond potholes. Discovery Insure estimates that fixing Johannesburg’s roads has saved the company R44 million in accident-related claims.
Public Reaction: Cautiously Optimistic
Social media has shown cautious praise for the campaign. Local residents have shared videos of fresh tar patches, and tweets tagging @CityofJoburgZA with “finally!” and “about time” have become more frequent.
But many remain skeptical, noting that Joburg’s 14,000km road network has long suffered from neglect. For some, it’s not the promise but the follow-through that matters.
As one X user posted: “Love the energy but will we still see these teams fixing potholes in September? Let’s hope.”
Your Role in the Repair
Joburg’s roads didn’t crumble overnight — and they won’t be rebuilt that quickly either. But for every pothole filled, there’s one less risk of a burst tyre or fatal swerve.
If you spot a pothole, don’t just drive around it. Log it. Wave at the crews. Celebrate small wins.
The road to a safer Joburg might just start with a patch of fresh tar — and a little bit of hope.
Source:Times Live
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