Discovery rewards Gauteng’s safest scholar transport drivers

As our country frequently reports on horrific road accidents involving school-going children, whether pedestrians or passengers in overloaded minibuses, Discovery decided to train scholar drivers from across Gauteng in its Discovery Safe Journey to School (DSJTS) programme.

The programme was launched in 2014 to prevent scholar injuries and deaths in vehicle accidents, as they travel to and from school daily.

In their recent award ceremony held at The Campus in Bryanston, Discovery honoured its scholar drivers for safely transporting learners.

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The programme, a partnership between Discovery Fund and Afrika Tikkun, offers free tracking devices for scholar transport vehicles (to monitor driving behaviour), feedback on driving-behaviour results, free first aid and defensive driving training sessions, eye tests and health checks, as well as recognition, rewards and cash incentives for top-performing drivers through the DSJTS quarterly awards.

The Discovery head of CIS, Andronica Mabuya, said the programme was launched in response to a crash between a taxi transporting learners and a train on August 25, 2010.

The vehicle, transporting 13 learners, collided with a train at the Buttskop level crossing in Blackheath, Western Cape.

The accident left nine children dead, and the driver and four children critically injured. It was a turning point in the Western Cape, which made people question how to get drivers to drive more safely and reduce such incidents.

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“Since the launch of the programme, no road fatalities or significant accidents have been recorded within our demarcated areas. There are 83 drivers in Gauteng, and over 26 000 scholars have been safely transported to and from school.”

The Gauteng MEC of Education, Matome Chiloane, highlighted in his address at the award ceremony the significant role the programme has played in reducing road fatalities in the province and in ensuring learners are safe on the road.

He added that he has developed a relationship with the learners he transports, and it warms his heart when he sees them.

“These are now my kids, and they bring joy into my life. There is never a dull moment with them!”Among the best drivers awarded was Thabo Bless of Mapetla, who has transported learners for the past 21 years.

“This is my second award since I joined the programme. Last year, I also won one, and I am happy because this shows that children are safe, and I am following the rules of the road.

“Today, I won R1 000 in incentives from the award and am proud. Discovery plays a huge role in ensuring road accidents are reduced and that learners are safe,” Bless said.

He added that he has developed a relationship with the learners he transports, and it warms his heart when he sees them.
“These are now my kids, and they bring joy into my life. There is never a dull moment with them.”