The extreme cold weather conditions wreaked havoc for motorists travellers and logistics businesses over the 3rd weekend of September 2024. A seasoned meant to be a spring where people enjoy the colourful enchanting heritage month turned to be a grey one as motorists were locked up in their cars stuck in what is termed as black snow. As much as the forecasted weather was announced, others were obliged to hit the road as some had to bury loved ones in areas such as Kwazulu Natal and the Free state while others had to attend weddings and other important functions across provinces.
Being stranded is one thing, but being stranded for extensive periods without any indication of when the cold will cease and the road cleared was a lingering predicament for many. Those that never slept in the car before had an awful 1st experience, even so lessons of survival and resilience learned. Even more worrying is where essential resources like food and water are running out leaving one feeling helpless. Keeping the interior of the car warm costs fuel and not knowing where’s the next filling station is also worrisome. As one trucker who was stuck for more than 20 hours mentioned that they carry essentials like his 2 blankets that wasn’t enough to keep warm. With fatalities reported due to accidents and one unfortunate commuter on a long distance taxi that succumbed to hypothermia.
Mokone Segau, not his real name mentioned they were caught travelling to eMsinga in KZN and the Quantum taxi they were travelling in was one of many vehicles delayed for arrival for the funeral procession. He indicated the dangers of walking on ice with ordinary shoes that one could fall head over! And he witnessed ice falling on trees which caused them to break! But more disturbing was the ill-disciplined motorist that travelled fast and having his car uncontrollably spinning and having them frightfully watching it roll downhill. It is safer if motorists heed the call to dangerous road warnings by road safety agencies.
While some residents played with ice and created masterpieces out of it, the notorious Van Reenen’s Pass took the cup being mentioned a number of times in media platforms as the biggest menace, in regions like Ladysmith, Newcastle and Dundee, we can give an applaud to emergency services security clusters that attended to stranded motorists as well as graders that worked long hours clearing up the main N3 road stretch that leads to Durban. Hopefully, those who experienced the road trauma will educate others to be vigilant in case the same scenario reoccurs.
Jerry Sokhupe
Soweto Sunrise News
