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Letters

Read-letter day

Hi there

Got Issue 10 of By The Way at the Claremont library, Cape Town.Too often we don’t realise what goes into the roads of our country. So I just wanted to take the time out to say a big thank you. And congratulations on producing such an excellent newsletter.

– Chris, via email

Shot, Intertoll

Dear Intertoll Africa

As a regular user of the N4 Toll Road Quagga Toll Gate, it has been a concern that many road users, when driving towards Pretoria, would “make” a third lane by driving into the face of oncoming traffic.

This generally happened between 6am and 7am. This was not only a major hazard, but also a lack of consideration to other motorists who waited patiently, as the former would then just push in.

It is therefore noted, with thanks, your efforts to address the above by monitoring drivers and creating a third lane with barriers. It is a pity that we have to force drivers to obey the rules of the road in this manner. Many thanks.

– Steve Brent, via email

Need a fix

Good day

Thanks for your efforts to maintain the R555. We regularly see contractors closing potholes on this small and ugly road. It makes driving to/from Middelburg a bit easier.

I would like to extend a humble request to the MEC for public works, roads and infrastructure (Jeremiah Ndou) to consider extending and refurbishing the entire R555 from Steelpoort to Middelburg, due to the high number of trucks delivering to the mines around Sekhukhuneland. Public transportation and general traffic have also increased in the last three years or so.

Thank you in advance.

– Xolani Bonani, Steelpoort

Talk to us

We love hearing road stories and comments. Send yours to pressoffice@nra.co.za and you might end up on our Letters page

In this issue

Travelling without moving

The future is here! Literally. Virtual Reality is set to take over tourism

3

Land of the Rising Sun

That’s right, we’re talking about Mpumalanga! Mountains, hikes, fishing and forts to keep you busy for days

7

Historically civil

What is civil engineering anyway? Where does it come from and who’s been perpetrating it since 4000BC? Saddle up for a history lesson (but not the boring kind)

12

Spotting potholes

We don’t like to gloat, but good luck finding any big holes on our 22 203km of road network

15

Make your neighbours jealous

Your soil is showing! Greenfingers tells us what to do in winter when our flowerbeds are naked

21

The road to fame

Seasoned journalist and hot new author Dudu Busani-Dube is becoming a pop culture phenomenon with her Hlomu trilogy, but the road hasn’t always been a straight one. Driving all over the country to deliver her books to shops and festivals, Dudu’s got a few road stories to tell. Here’s another one...

23

PLUS:
Last edition’s crossword driving you crazy? Not to worry, you can find the solutions on Pg 20

USB mini massagers

Sometimes the pains of being a participant in the work-a-day rat race go further than early alarms, bad coffee and gridlock. Sometimes the pains are physical. And a crick in your neck or an ache in your lower back can make your workload seem insurmountable. Aches and pains in the office can be averted with decent, ergonomic desk furniture. Some offices even bring masseuses in occasionally to help out their employees with back pain, but if neither of these options are available, you can always try out a mini-massager. There’s a plethora of these handy devices available from retailers. Most are small enough to fit in a pocket or handbag and a number of them offer USB charging, as well as decent battery life. The Super Life Mini Electric Massager, for example, is a handheld device that’s activated simply by pressing it against your body. Once applied, internal motors react, pushing and kneading muscles and alleviating pain and stress. You can even place it against the back of an office chair, lean back and have it go to work instantly. Massagers come in a variety of shapes and sizes – some, like the Super Lite, resemble squishy tripods, while Wahl’s cord massagers look a little like plastic wands – and most come at a price to fit every budget. Those wishing to splash out can spend up to R350 on a cushion that automatically massages their lower back when leaned against. But for those on the move, something small will suffice. Go on, spoil yourself.