Brothers build stop-go signs for Community Heroes to make safer roads

Two young residents of Boskruin and Bromhof, Jaryd and Evyn Jameson, have taken an inspiring step to support the Community Heroes, who work tirelessly to repair potholes in the area. The brothers designed and built custom stop-go signs to help improve safety and efficiency while volunteers carry out road repairs.

Jaryd and Evyn were motivated to create the signs after seeing the dedication of the Community Heroes. “We wanted to help keep the Community Heroes safe while they work,” they explained. “They are volunteers, and since all our family lives in Boskruin and Bromhof, we want them to be able to continue their good work.”

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The project required extensive research, with the boys turning to Google and YouTube for ideas. They combined elements from different designs to create a practical and efficient solution. Their aunt, Frances Reid, played a key role in the project by sharing her DIY knowledge.

“We have seen stop-go signs at roadworks before, but we wanted something that wasn’t too big since the Community Heroes don’t have a lot of storage space,” they said. “So, we made the signs in a way that they break apart into three sections for easy storage.”

Building the signs was not without its difficulties. “We couldn’t find pipes and connectors in the same colour, but we made a plan.” Another unexpected challenge was the quick-drying nature of PVC glue. “We had to work fast when we were gluing the pieces together.”

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The brothers are confident that their signs will make a meaningful difference. “If we keep the Community Heroes safe, they can work faster and fix more potholes on more roads in our area.”

Knowing their work is helping others is a rewarding feeling. “It feels good to know that we are helping more people get to work safer and faster because the roads are in better shape.”

Frances played an instrumental role in the initiative. She first got involved when she saw the Community Heroes working outside their complex to repair potholes along Kelly Avenue. “Even though it was done over a weekend, there was still a lot of traffic on the road, and it took six people to direct and control traffic,” she recalled.

She suggested the idea of proper stop-go signage to make traffic control more efficient. “Since we are a family of DIYers, and the school holidays were approaching, we figured we could use the time to do something constructive.”

Frances believes in the importance of community-driven projects. “It is very easy to sit back and complain about the state of our roads, but we know municipalities are often inefficient with repairs and maintenance. If residents work together to tackle potholes, overgrown verges, and blocked storm water drains, our suburbs will be cleaner, safer, and retain their property value.”

This is not Frances’ first time getting involved in community initiatives. As a frontline healthcare worker, she was active during the COVID-19 pandemic, distributing masks and sanitiser in Randburg and Cosmo City. She continues to organise flu vaccine drives at retirement villages and old age homes and is active in community WhatsApp groups, sharing security and utility updates.

The Jameson family’s stop-go signs are a testament to the power of community involvement. Their efforts not only support the volunteers fixing the roads but also inspire others to take action for the betterment of their neighbourhoods.

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