VANDERBIJLPARK – Time froze in some parts of town on Tuesday evening, January 21, when a giant red sun played out in the sky. For a few minutes, the town was painted in a scorching shade of red, leaving dozens of residents commuting home wowed.

Just around 18:30, the skyline turned into a beautiful backdrop with the sun hanging low, piercing the road during a picture-perfect golden hour.

Scores of motorists slacked to enjoy the moment, and pedestrians paused to capture it.

Savouring the display from Playfair Boulevard, just next to Makro and President Hyper, the scene was nothing short of a cinematic establishing shot, ushering in a romantic moment.

From that direction, the high floodlights of the Isak Steyl Stadium stood out as silhouettes against the burning sky.

Cars driving from Bedworth Park Centre into Sharpeville rolled past in slow motion with their shades stretched into long shades across the tarmac.

As retail employees crossed the road from the President Hyper Square to Powerville Park, they seemed like living artwork as they fitted perfectly in black against the blazing backdrop.

For a few magical minutes, Vanderbijlpark felt more like a movie set than a normal weekday evening.