Chickens in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, are a lot like Robbie Wessels’ famous song Mphe Di Hoenor – fearless, streetwise and completely unfazed by KFC.

According to Middelburg Observer, the smell of lemon and herb does not scare them. Neither does hot and spicy. Not even a full chicken braai.

They are not intimidated by talk of ‘peri-peri for my cherry or mild for my child’, or even ‘maybe a full chicken barrel for my big sister Cheryl’.

Middelburg’s chickens seem to be the bravest in the country.

For years, a small flock has been clucking around the KFC in Cowen Ntuli Street, directly opposite Hoërskool Middelburg. They regularly take their chances by darting into traffic to peck at a stray mieliepit on the busy road.

On Saturday morning, a mother hen and her chick were spotted casually trotting around the Midwater Kentucky, clucking their way past Colonel Sanders’ building. Motorists, to their credit, waited patiently as the pair pecked along the pavement, seemingly unbothered by the lunchtime rush.

Residents have long since made peace with the town’s feathered locals. A few months ago, another mother hen and chick brought traffic to a standstill in Wes Street. Across from Kanonkop Spar, a rooster is often seen escorting his hens across the road. When he makes his dash – red comb upright and chest out – vehicles simply have to wait until he has safely ushered his ladies across.

So no, Robbie. Middelburg’s chickens are not afraid of Kentucky.

They are streetwise.

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