Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
5 March 2024 | 15:30 CAT
2 min read

In a groundbreaking initiative, Discovery Insure’s Pothole Patrol Academy, in collaboration with Avis South Africa, has successfully repaired a staggering 213,533 potholes in Johannesburg. Partnering closely with the Johannesburg Road Agency, the academy has made significant road maintenance and safety strides.

The academy, situated in Modderfontein, Johannesburg, was officially launched last month. According to Kgodiso Mokonyane, head of strategy at Discovery Insure, the academy has been operational for two years and is now accredited by the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (InSETA). This accreditation allows the academy to offer a South African Qualification Authority-accredited program spanning 12 months.

Despite its recent accreditation, Mokonyane revealed that 29 learners who participated in the academy over the past two years have already secured employment, highlighting the program’s effectiveness in creating tangible job opportunities for youth.

Kgodiso Mokonyane, Head of Strategy and Value Added & Ancillary Products at Discovery Insure, told Radio Islam that the Academy was officially launched in February and currently has 24 learners who have been afforded the opportunity to receive classroom instruction covering theoretical aspects of road safety, alongside practical training on pothole repair techniques as part of the academy’s comprehensive 12-month program.

The academy’s primary goal is to provide learners with essential roadwork skills, enabling them to pursue employment opportunities in the road construction sector or even start their own businesses.

She said, “They will be able to start their own businesses, fix potholes, and work with us.”

Mokonyane said that they have algorithms running in the background to assist them in determining the optimal locations for deploying learners to address potholes.

“We have acquired permission from the Johannesburg roads agency to touch the roads and fix potholes. We have also been able to test out new technology. So, in a sense, we are making each other better,” she added.

The Pothole Patrol Academy’s achievements enhance road infrastructure and potentially can serve as a catalyst for youth empowerment and economic growth in South Africa.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Discovery Insures’ Kgodiso Mokonyane, here.