Pothole map mobilises Potch community

The pothole map project journalists of threestreamsmedia embarked on last week, made a significant impression on the community of Potchefstroom, mobilising residents to become actively involved in the project. 

Reaction streamed in on social media and via WhatsApp, with residents commenting on more pothole locations in town and applauding the map for having the potential to lead to change and help improve the roads of Potchefstroom. 

Santi Britz, DA councillor of the Bult area, explained how this initiative has the potential to create safer roads in Potchefstroom. “All the complaints from the community disappear into a black hole where nothing is actively done about it. I think it is immensely important to put pressure on the municipality and to hold them accountable for their responsibilities,” she said. 

Santi Britz, DA councilor of the Bult area, explains how the pothole-map initiative has the potential to create safer roads in Potchefstroom. PHOTO: Denise Robertson

Britz said that it is important for the community to work together on this project to fix Potchefstroom’s roads, rather than individual people fixing single potholes by themselves.

“There are many chickens crowing on their own heaps, but not really making a difference. I think people should rather put their positive energy together and make a collaborative effort to implement change,” she said. 

The JB Marks Local Municipality is responsible for roads within the municipal borders of Potchefstroom. Provincial and national roads like the R53 and N12 are the provincial and national government’s responsibility. 

The damage that potholes cause to vehicles remains a costly problem in Potchefstroom.

In a previous news report North-West University information technology student Ricus Warmenhoven (22) shared how a pothole in Thabo Mbeki Way cost him an estimated R15 000 to repair the damage to his car. “It is the municipality’s responsibility to fix the potholes as it is something that we pay our taxes for. It must be a basic service,” he said. 

The JB Marks Local Municipality has been approached for comment but did not respond in time for publication. Once comment is provided, it will be added to this story. 

threestreamsmedia will continuously update the potholes map with new potholes, or by indicating when existing potholes have been repaired.

Green markers show repaired potholes. Red and orange markers show new or existing potholes. The map is interactive, clicking on each marker will reveal details about the pothole, and it is possible to zoom in to street level by clicking on the plus or minus sign at the left of the map.

Please let us know by email of any updated information regarding potholes in town. Contact us at threestreamsmedia@gmail.com. Please add exact locations of potholes if you identify any that are not on our map, and we will add them.