Road safety for children
Members of the Transnet group and Bakerton CPF handed out food and information to the children in the area on Monday.
In a country where children have to cross dangerous roads everyday, teaching the young about road safety could save their lives.
Springs Transnet and members of the Bakerton Community Police Forum (CPF) have partnered to teach children about the rules of the road and how to cross the railway line safely at the Transnet centre in Bakerton.
On Monday, the centre was open to the children in the area where they were given lunch packs and taught about the importance of road safety.
Many of the children have to cross the busy Welgedacht Road as well as the active railway line in order to get to school in the mornings and then to get home again in the afternoon.
This has been cause for concern for many parents who cannot be there to help the children cross safely.
Site manager for Transnet, Peter Pelele, was there to facilitate the activities of the day and gave out information.
“Unfortunately, many of the schools are on the other side of the road which the children need to cross. It is our duty to teach them about safety,” he said.
General worker Novula Ndabaninzi encouraged the children to put their safety first when crossing the busy road.
“Make sure that you travel in groups, the older children must check that the younger ones don’t cross the road alone,” she urged.
The children where given a chance to ask questions and actively took part in discussions.
Grade Seven Payneville Primary School learner Pitso Bhuthetha is happy about the events of the day.
“I’m happy about the centre because they help us cross the road and teach us important facts about the road and railway crossings,” he said.
The centre also offers weekend extra mural activities like netball, soccer and aerobics for the young and old.
“Our aim is to keep the children motivated and busy through sports and recreation,” added Peter.
There will be members at the centre who will be on the lookout for children who cross the road in the mornings and afternoons to ensure maximum safety.
“The most important thing that we are trying to do is to establish a relationship with the community and the CPF so that people know that we are on their side,” said Peter.
Peter will be distributing calendars and CD packs to the various local schools which will have information on the company, as well as safety aids for the teachers to teach the learners.
He has also managed to convince the company to build a safe crossing over the railway so that the children can cross safely.
