Money Well Spent

Those of us who drive around the roads in and around Johannesburg know that it takes skill, concentration and Schumi talent, not to ruin your car on one of South Africa's latest tourist attractions- yes, I am talking about the beloved Pothole.

Poor (and I use this word very loosely) road maintenance had resulted in the tar disintegrating like candy floss, especially with the heavy, virtually daily rain we have been experiencing. This has caused massive, gaping holes in the roads that are sometimes impossible to negotiate. Tyre shredders they are should you not be deft or lucky enough to dodge one.
One Fitment Centre said that 6 out of 10 clients were there due to pothole damage. Of course, there is a system where, on paper anyway, one can claim for damages to one's vehicle. The claim requirements include the need for a photo of the offending pothole. In reality, people who have claimed, often are shunted around with no success at all. (hard to believe I know)
Granted, there are one or two happy endings- but this seems to be the minority.

Of course the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA), has come out with their side of things. And as is with any Governement linked agency, it is met with amusement as it makes little sense to me.
JRA Chairman, Kehla Shubane,says that he knows there is a problem and acknowledges lack of maintenace is to blame for the sad state of affairs. (Good start you may think)
Then he advises that the potholes could be permanently fix if a site manager was allowed to stay at a site the whole day. Firstly does that say that the workers have no idea what they are doing. (There have been reports of these genuises fixing potholes in the pouring rain) and secondly, if he, the chairman of the JRA does not have the authority to allow managers to remain on site for a day, who does?
The second reason, and this is my favourite-because they have not been given enough funding to go forth and fix the gaping holes int he roads, that look set to rival the Kimberley Hole.(Of course they have one, we have thousands) The reason is that there are not enough funds available for this purpose.
Now we have to consider that the City of Johannesburg forked out between R90-100 million to host the fading Miss World competition. No money indeed.

I feel so much better now, as I weave along the little bit of drivable tar that is left, instinctively dodging oncoming cars and feeling like I am one of the Dakar rally contestants. I know the money went to a good cause.