Every child deserves a safe walk to school. On Thursday 23 October 2025, that vision took a giant step forward as the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality officially launched a major road safety initiative. Led by Tlangi Mogale, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport, and Frank Lambert, the City’s Chief Engineer for Transportation Planning, the ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the unveiling of R14 million in critical traffic calming measures across all seven city regions, prioritising the safety of our most vulnerable road users: children.
The municipality has committed itself to this critical work by investing R14 million during the 2024–2025 financial year, with a special focus on communities and schools that need it most.
Aligning with Global Safety Targets
This investment is a direct action towards achieving the goals of the global Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030. The ambitious target is clear: to prevent at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. Celebrated during October Transport Month, this initiative is enhancing safety, promoting road awareness, and working to establish secure school zones for every learner.
Strategic Infrastructure for Safer Communities
The City’s road safety strategy has translated directly into tangible infrastructure improvements, with the total value of these life-saving infrastructure improvements amounting to R14.3 million. These modifications are not random additions; they are carefully selected, evidence-based interventions designed to manage speed and traffic. The R14.3 million directly funds measures specifically designed to reduce vehicle speeds and prioritise pedestrian movement, particularly in previously disadvantaged areas.
Key safety measures implemented across Tshwane include:
- 166 new speed humps to slow vehicles and enhance pedestrian safety.
- 15 Raised Pedestrian Crossings (RPC) systems to manage traffic flow and prioritise pedestrian movement.
- 3.8km of new sidewalks to provide safe infrastructure for people walking.
- 8 new mini circles to calm traffic and improve road safety.
- 8 additional road safety measures, including essential guardrails, bollards, and new road safety signs.
Partnering for Child Safety
A crucial element of this city-wide safety campaign is the Public-Private Partnership with ChildSafe South Africa. As a non-profit organisation, we are proud to partner with the City to provide the necessary community engagement and educational backbone for this initiative.
ChildSafe Executive Director, Zaitoon Rabaney, stated: “ChildSafe remains committed to supporting the South African Government in achieving its road safety objectives, particularly to ensure the safety of children in vulnerable communities.”
Our critical contributions to this partnership include:
- Road Safety Assessment: We rate the roads around schools based on their safety practices and infrastructure using the internationally recognised iRAP Star rating guidelines.
- Education and Training: We provide vital road safety education and first aid workshop training to teachers and caregivers.
- Community Support: We encourage the correct usage of these new traffic calming measures and supply schools with essential road safety kits.
- Collaboration: We facilitate comprehensive road safety education for teachers and learners in collaboration with other governmental partners.
Through this collaborative approach, the City of Tshwane aims to reduce potential conflicts between vehicular and vulnerable road users, reduce road accidents and fatalities, and promote a lasting culture of road safety awareness and education among our broader communities.
About ChildSafe South Africa
ChildSafe South Africa is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to reduce and prevent injuries of children through Research, Education, and Advocacy. The organisation is a registered NPO with section 18A exemption that works with other non-profits, government, corporates and communities. Our core focus is the prevention of unintentional injuries that are usually regarded as accidents, such as burns, falls, drowning, road traffic crashes, choking and poisoning. For more information, visit www.childsafe.org.za
