‘Our kids and community went overboard’: Spring Day celebrations in Tshwane leave damage and upset

Spring Day celebrations in parts of Tshwane on 1 September crossed into destructive behaviour, according to videos shared online and statements from Tshwane Bus Service. Footage circulating on social media shows youths throwing buckets of water at buses, taxis, service delivery vehicles and passersby.

Transport disruption and damaged buses

Tshwane Bus Service said two buses were left out of service after the celebrations. The organisation said: “Our kids and community went overboard and damaged assets that serve them, leaving over 300 passengers today without bus transportation, of which many are pupils/students.”

Videos shared by the bus service and others on social media show crowds gathered around a bus while people jumped on the roof and danced. Another clip shows a broken window on the passenger side of a bus as it travels.

Drivers and passengers targeted

Several videos show bus drivers trying to avoid being soaked while a group wrestles a bus door open and empties buckets of water into the driver’s seat, prompting the driver to flee the vehicle and delaying service and stops. Other clips show delivery drivers and motorcyclists being hit with water one video shows a delivery driver wiped off his motorcycle after water was thrown at him.

Incidents of harassment and fights

Footage circulating online also shows fights breaking out after people were doused against their wishes. In one clip, empty buckets are thrown into an altercation while bystanders laugh and cheer. Other videos show youngsters opening the boot of a taxi to throw water at passengers seated inside.

Additional clips record elder members of the public and a cyclist being taunted and repeatedly soaked by youths while their belongings lay on the ground. Social media users reacted strongly to the footage, with comments ranging from frustration to amusement.

Voices on social media

Some posts captured and shared on X (formerly Twitter) accompanied the videos. One post captioned a clip: “Spring day celebrations were a little bit crazy in some parts of the country.” Other social media users described the scenes as disrespectful and inappropriate for the tradition of splashing water to mark spring.

What the footage shows

• Youths carrying buckets of water and throwing water at vehicles and people.
• Crowds jumping on bus roofs and damaging buses.
• Drivers and delivery workers targeted and, in at least one clip, forced off a motorcycle after being hit with water.
• Fights and harassment of non-participants, including elders and a cyclist, captured on video.

Videos of the incidents were widely shared online in the days after 1 September, prompting debate about whether parts of the Spring Day tradition had been taken too far.