The unsung heroes who helped people through the snow dilemma

As the snow on the N3 melts away in the spring sun, stories of unsung heroes and heroines are emerging. Thousands of cars became entrapped in the disruptive snow on the N3 Toll Route from about Harrismith in the Free State to Estcourt in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands at the weekend.

One group of good samaritans volunteered to distribute hot food, coffee, tea and relief items like blankets to people stranded in the snow at Van Reenan’s Pass. Babies, children and the infirm were among those that needed urgent help and hot food.

Ladysmith resident Naseem Bhigjee says he responded to distress calls by family members stuck in the snow. He and a group of about 20 volunteers then provided about 500 hot meals and navigated knee-deep snow assisting other aid organisations like the Gift of the Givers in distributing relief.

“We got to Van Reenan’s Pass at about 03h30 in the afternoon as graders were making their way up grading the snow letting one vehicle at a time go down. Once we got there and we’d seen the situation, there was not much we could have done given the depth of the snow and the extent to which it had fallen,” says Bhigjee.

Inclement Weather | Impact of snow disruptions on truckers:

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Siboniso Duma says there is room for improvement in how members of the public receive weather alerts following this weekend’s snowstorm.

Duma also met with the drivers of motor graders and law enforcement agencies who worked to remove the black ice on the road.

Duma says the change in climate conditions is a lesson for government to be innovative when dealing with natural disasters.

“At this point in time, there is a blame game directed to the government. The reality is that we did issue alerts. The Weather Pattern SA, they gave us enough time to respond in time. But the reality is that even those who are not essential, we found on the road. But the blame is always directed to the government. But we are also going to be improved and ensure that we dispatch all the information in all platforms going onwards,” says Duma.

KZN Traffic Update | Major roads re-opened following snowfall: Siboniso Duma