Traffic officer’s triumphant duty with children
Gouws said he could not understand how parents or negligent drivers were not charged with child abuse in instances like this.
Being in law enforcement is not just a job for Mario Gouws, it is a calling.
With a passion for keeping people safe, it is in Gouws’ intrinsic nature to care for others, especially children.
“Children are my soft spot; their innocence is one of the purest joys.”
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Gouws’ enthusiasm and protective interaction with children was clear to educators at Newcastle Senior Primary School, after he was appointed to perform point-duty at the school.
“I was thrilled to assist the children. To be honest, they help me more than I help them,” admits Gouws.
He looks forward to seeing the children and hearing their stories.
“With children you don’t have to pretend, they are brutally honest at times and I appreciate that,” he jokes.
He said although some of the children have pushed the boundaries he has set for them, they respect his authority.
“Children need to be moulded from a young age and if I can have success with one child, I’ve achieved something,” he beams.
Although Gouws and his wife don’t have children of their own, he considers and treats each child he meets as if they were his own.
One of his worst experiences was attending a collision on the N11 a few years ago.
“A child, about two-years-old, was flung out of the car and my heart broke there and then.”
Gouws said he could not understand how parents or negligent drivers were not charged with child abuse in instances like this.
“What’s wrong is wrong,” he affirms.
He advises drivers to remember they only have one chance at life and they should save it.
“To break the law is not a mistake. If you know the rules, you should follow them.”
Speaking about a simple offence such as skipping a stop sign, Gouws cautioned that this could cost a person their life.
“It doesn’t take you more than two minutes to simply stop and then proceed.”
He said drivers have become too reckless with their and others lives on the roads.
The man behind the stern face:
Gouws and his family moved to Newcastle in 1979 from the Eastern Cape.
He attended Panorama Primary School and later matriculated from Amajuba High School.
He volunteered at St Johns Ambulance Service in the 1980s and took up a position sorting post in 1994. In 1997, Gouws entered the Police Training College where he was trained as a law enforcement officer.
Speaking on the sometimes negative reputation of traffic officials, Gouws says they are taught to be assertive and speak loudly.
“Many people know me as a strict traffic officer.”
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When not on duty, Gouws believes in constantly reinventing himself and keeping his mind and body active. His hobbies have varied over the years; from refurbishing motorbikes to off-road quad bikes and his latest interest of flying model aircraft.
“I’ve joined the Newcastle Model Aircraft Club and it really changes ones mindset. Driving a car and remote flying an aircraft are very different because your mind has to be inside the plane.”
“Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability. If you don’t succeed today, tomorrow is another day so keep trying,” concluded Gouws.
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