A visible street name at every intersection

MOST people become so familiar with the places they frequent that they no longer take cognisance of the street name signs along the route.

However, for visitors to the town, businesses making deliveries, or even for Vryheiders looking for a specific address for the first time, missing street name signs could leave a person circling the area in a state of mounting frustration.
For emergency services, missing street name signs could lead to unnecessary delays that could mean the difference between life and death.

While the repair and replacement of street name signs, that have been damaged, vandalised or stolen, is a municipal function… In Vryheid, AfriForum is championing a project that will see a visible street name at every intersection in Vryheid by Christmas.

Letter stencils are already being made that will enable members of AfriForum to neatly paint on the street names on the curb at intersections where street name signs are missing. Where it is impossible to paint the street name on the curb, AfriForum will replace the street name board.

“We are still busy conducting a survey to determine which streets need names. Our members are driving through Vryheid, checking every intersection,” said AfriForum chairperson, André van der Walt.

“The missing street names are a problem. If you don’t know Vryheid very well, it becomes impossible to tell where you are. Some Vryheiders, themselves, don’t know all the street names. We understand that ensuring that street names are visible is a municipal function, but the municipality is not doing everything it is supposed to do, so we need to step in and help,” continued Mr van der Walt, a proud Vryheider who is willing to put in the effort to create a better future for the town.

Members of the community can become involved in this project by reporting missing street names to AfriForum secretary, Albina van Rensburg, on 082 388 5599.