‘We Found Him’
In a heartwarming story of community spirit and government action, a young man named Tebogo from Mamelodi East has been recognised for his selfless efforts to keep school children safe on a busy road. Tshwane Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport, Tlangi Mogale, announced on Monday that Tebogo will join the city’s BaStrata programme, complete with training and a monthly stipend. This comes after a viral video captured his daily acts of kindness, sparking widespread praise online and calls to support informal road patrollers across the city. The move highlights how everyday heroes can inspire change in South Africa’s townships, where road safety remains a big concern for parents and kids.
Tebogo’s Daily Dedication: Two Years of Protecting Kids Without Pay
Tebogo, a resident of Mamelodi East Extensions 8 and 11, has been stepping up every school day for over two years to help children cross a wide, dangerous road with no traffic calming measures like speed humps or painted crossings. Without any official role or pay, he would stand in the early morning rush, guiding young learners safely across to their schools. The road, known for heavy traffic and speeding cars, poses real risks to kids walking to class, and Tebogo’s work has likely prevented accidents in this bustling township area.
His story went viral after Mxolisi Yena Yedwaa shared a video on social media showing Tebogo in action. The clip, posted on platforms like TikTok and Facebook, captured him stopping cars and escorting groups of children, all while running a small side business selling goods from a shack nearby. Viewers were touched by his commitment, with many calling him a “true patriot” who puts community first without expecting anything in return. The video quickly spread, catching the eye of local leaders and sparking conversations about road safety in underserved areas.
Mogale, who saw the post, reached out and met Tebogo in person on Monday morning. Photos from the meeting show the young man, dressed in a bright orange reflective vest, shaking hands with the MMC and posing with community leaders, including Ward 97 Councillor Nalenda Demhalu. In one emotional shot, Tebogo covers his face, seemingly overwhelmed by the recognition. The group stood on the very road where he patrols, underscoring the spot’s dangers with houses and shacks in the background under a cloudy sky.
Joining BaStrata: Training, Stipend, and Formal Support on the Way
Mogale shared the good news in a post that has since garnered thousands of likes and shares. “We found him💯🇿🇦❤️. A true champion of road safety,” she wrote, explaining that Tebogo will be brought into BaStrata, Tshwane’s initiative for road patrollers. This programme, which focuses on traffic management and safety in high-risk spots, will formalise his role with proper training to handle busy streets safely. He will also get a monthly stipend to support his efforts, recognising the value of his unpaid work over the years.
But the help does not stop there. Mogale said the city will work with its transport planning team and the Gauteng provincial roads department to add painted pedestrian crossings at the site. This will make it easier and safer for children to cross, with plans to involve nearby schools in the process. Tebogo’s small business will also get a boost, with officials promising to help him with stock to sell alongside his patrolling duties.
In a video from the meeting, Mogale spoke directly to the camera, praising Tebogo’s initiative. Standing with him and local leaders in reflective vests, she described how the wide road lacks safety features and how Tebogo has filled that gap. “I was so humbled and impressed with the work,” she said, noting his two years of service. The clip shows the group in a township setting, with houses and a police vehicle nearby, emphasising the community’s role in road safety.
Inspiring a City-Wide Push for Informal Patrollers
Tebogo’s story has sparked bigger ideas. Mogale added that his example reminds everyone why Tshwane should support all informal patrollers who help kids get to school safely every day. “It takes a village🇿🇦❤️,” she wrote, calling for the city to adopt these volunteers into formal programmes like BaStrata. This could mean more training, stipends, and equipment for people doing similar work in other areas, helping to cut down on road accidents involving children.
Road safety is a hot topic in South Africa, with thousands of kids walking long distances to school on busy roads each day. In Tshwane alone, the city has built hundreds of speed humps and walkways in the past year to keep communities safe. Mogale, who has been pushing for better roads and transport since taking office, sees Tebogo as a symbol of what can happen when locals and leaders team up. Her recent work includes inspecting roads in the east of Tshwane and reflecting on a year of progress in fixing networks and calming traffic.
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