In the face of growing discontent and municipal silence, civil society organisations and ordinary residents across Pretoria are stepping in to fill potholes themselves—both literally and figuratively. What began as sporadic efforts has turned into a coordinated community movement as locals grow increasingly disillusioned with the City of Tshwane’s failure to address the deteriorating condition of its roads.
‘Gatvol’ Project Brings Unity and Action
Last Wednesday, residents in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria took matters into their own hands as part of the Gatvol Pothole Project, spearheaded by Betereinders co-founder Pastor Johan Erasmus. The initiative, which saw over 100 volunteers from the NG Oosterlig and Dialogue community, tackled more than 100 potholes using over 100 buckets—each weighing 35 kilograms—of pothole repair mix.
“Government and municipal authorities are clearly neglecting their duty. It’s now up to us as citizens to make a difference,” said Erasmus. He described the day as deeply unifying: “It was inspiring to see people of all races working together. Passing motorists cheered us on and brought us refreshments—it felt like we were rebuilding more than roads; we were rebuilding community spirit.”
AfriForum Efforts Face Political Pushback
These grassroots efforts are becoming increasingly common across Pretoria. AfriForum, a prominent civil society group, has also been actively repairing roads in areas such as Centurion. However, their attempts have not always been met with support. Last year, a volunteer-led pothole repair in Centurion was abruptly halted by the Tshwane Metro Police. The city has since considered terminating its memorandum of understanding with AfriForum following political shifts, including the removal of former mayor Cilliers Brink and the appointment of ActionSA’s Nasiphi Moya as his successor.
Scale of the Problem Still Growing
AfriForum’s Pretoria North coordinator, Llewellyn Hemmens, reported that their team has already applied over 20 tons of tar to damaged roads in 2025 alone. Yet, the scale of the problem remains overwhelming. Communities across the city—from Olympus and Nieuw Muckleneuk to Brooklyn and Capital Park—have reported long stretches of road riddled with potholes, with some residents counting over ten potholes within a single block.
Poor Municipal Repairs Highlight Deeper Issues
In some cases, the problems stem not just from wear and tear, but from municipal mismanagement. DA ward councillor Jacqui Uys pointed to a glaring example in Equestria, where a water leak at the corner of Libertas and Furrow Road was poorly addressed. “City workers merely threw tar into the potholes without fixing the underlying leak,” she said, adding that the road has been almost unusable since January.
Residents Determined to Persist
Despite the city’s lack of official response, residents remain undeterred. Equestria alone had reported 197 potholes, and yet, thanks to joint efforts between the community, the Equestria JEA, and DA volunteers, over 100 have already been repaired.
Rebuilding Roads—and Trust
The situation in Tshwane has become a microcosm of a broader issue: the fraying trust between citizens and local government. In the absence of adequate municipal services, residents are not only fixing roads—they’re reclaiming civic responsibility.
Related article: Why Potholes Keep Reappearing on South African Roads Despite Ongoing Repairs
