ON the morning of Wednesday, February 5, I was on my way out of town for work when my front left tyre burst on the N2 near the salt pans at Nqura.
I was now very late for an important appointment and prepared to change the burst tyre with my spare tyre, only to find that my wheel spanner was missing, making a wheel change impossible.
I contacted the closest filling station, being what is commonly known as Caltex Truck Inn or Truckers Inn at the Motherwell/Addo Road, to enquire if they could help. The duty manager, Martin Bosman, immediately committed to help and stated that he would call back in a few minutes.
A few minutes later he called back and said that he had managed to find the correct wheel spanner but that there was no transport available to get it to me. Precisely at that moment, an EC Department of Transport traffic police vehicle pulled up behind my stranded car and immediately activated their flashing blue lights to provide protection for me from the high-speed passing vehicles. The two polite traffic officers quickly ascertained what was going on and tried their wheel spanner on my car, but being entirely different vehicles, it did not work.
Hearing that I managed to locate a wheel spanner at Truck Inn, they contacted colleagues who they knew were going to pass there and asked them to collect the wheel spanner and drop it off at my stranded vehicle. I was absolutely amazed and astounded for this much-needed but unbelievable help!
Not 10 minutes later the second traffic vehicle arrived, now a total of two traffic vehicles with a total of five friendly traffic officers, who all immediately proceeded to take over the situation. One of the men got flat on the ground with his pristine, clean uniform, to place the jack correctly, while another kneeled next to him to assist. Yet another was already at my boot getting the spare wheel.
In the blazing direct early morning sun, and working with a heavy car with large heavy wheels, the traffic officers replaced the burst tyre wheel with the spare wheel in no time at all.
All of this was done with extreme competence and professionalism, while I stood by, astounded.
Within minutes all was done and I was ready to continue on my journey.
Many of us never have good words to say about government officials, government service, or traffic officials. Many of us are biased and prejudiced.
I was deeply touched by the spontaneous kindness shown to me by five traffic officers as well as the manager of Truck Inn, who did not hesitate to get their hands dirty to help me out. To these unsung heroes, I salute you: traffic officers Lulamile Jantjie, Nceba Mtyhobile, Zoleka Tyawiti, Bukeka Nohamba and Georgie Mgudu, and to Martin Bosman of Caltex Truck Inn Motherwell – a big, big thank you!
I was and am still deeply touched and humbled by your kindness and professionalism.
May you continue to change perceptions through your good example, and may you be blessed for the humanity and kindness shown to a complete stranger.
Jacobus Loots
