SASOLBURG – For many years, Abraham Rampai was a traffic officer in Sasolburg’s affluent communities.

Following his retirement, the 71-year-old ventured into being a scholar patroller in his community, applying road safety measures and maximising visibility at different points during peak hours.

For two decades, the dedicated father of four has helped save the lives of pupils from Zamdela, Sasolburg, through his initiative following dozens of fatalities.

Speaking to Ster, Rampai said his love for saving young lives is the reason behind his journey.

“It’s been over twenty years since I started being a scholar patroller in Zamdela. When our township started growing, scores of children used to be hit and killed by cars, and that broke me,” he said.

“It heals me when I save these young lives. Children are our future, and we need to make sure that we protect them at all costs,” he said.

Like any other job, his role comes with backlash from some motorists, but that doesn’t demoralise the dedicated old man.

“What I do is good for the community. Despite parents and a handful of residents complimenting me, some motorists always lash back because they claim I cause traffic for them,” he said.

Rampai is helping a local school every morning, working with scholar patrollers during the busiest part of the morning.

A resident in the area, Nthabiseng Mokoena (38), commended the job done by Rampai.

“It is true that many kids have been knocked down on this busy road, and Ntate Rampai’s efforts help save many others who cross this road daily. We hope some young people will take from him and give back to the very communities that raised them,” she said.