BOPHELONG. – In the hustle and bustle of daily life, there exists a hero quietly working to safeguard the lives of motorists.
For seven long years, Morena Montoeli has been patching poles in Bophelong as a way to end motor vehicle accidents caused by potholes.
According to the 35-year-old former road surveyor turned pothole patcher, his mission is to see his kasi pothole-free.
Ster team met the man on Wednesday, April 03, braving the rainy showers just to deliver of his calling.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Montoeli explained what drives him to wake up and serve his community.
“Many motor vehicle accidents are caused by potholes, so I decided to help the community to save their lives. Since 2017 I have been closing these potholes with crushed stones and bricks collected around the neighbourhood,” he said.
Montwedi said his job has brought different arguments from many road users.
“There are people who appreciate what I do and there is backlash as well. Some like what I do. Some claim that I am destroying the roads, but I know people always speak.”
Explaining his experience in patching poles, Montoeli said he was employed by a Johannesburg-based company that closed potholes country-wide.
“I am a former Surveyor at one of the biggest road fixing company and I am using my skill to help my community. For me, this work is a calling. I couldn’t just watch roads in my community dilapidated while I have the skill set to do the work,” he said.
Different views were shared by motorists using the same road Thabiso Hlongwane said “We always see the man in different parts of our community closing potholes. Personally, I appreciate his work because our cars are getting worn out due to bad roads in our community.”
Another motorist who refused to be named said “What the man is doing doesn’t help anyone. He just stalls traffic for no reason.”
Despite being dilapidated, Dube Road is one of the roads not listed on the forty-one roads that will get a facelift and according to Montoeli, he will continue to close such roads.
