Kgotso Makaane

Kgotso Makaane

Pupils from Tiakeni Primary school in Tshiawelo in Soweto were treated to a play on road safety.

The Drive Alive play was about pedestrian and road safety.

Great initiative to teach pupils how to cross roads

Moira Winslow, Drive Alive chairman and founder, said yesterday: "Traffic deaths are a leading cause of death among our children.

"We believe it is important to educate children about road safety in a language they understand - role playing, comedy and song."

The play, part of the life orientation syllabus, was performed by multi-lingual actors Monde Mayephu and Paul Noko.

A leading cause of death among children

The aim is to instil responsibility and also for older pupils to help younger ones to cross roads.

Principal Anna Khoza said: "One of our pupils was hit by a car. We think this is a great initiative."

Drive Alive was established in 1989. Since April this year it has visited more than 89 primary schools in Soweto.

Winslow said: "We work with pupils from grades R to 7. It is better to start early. Children then educate their parents."

Maria Maluleke, the school's head of department, said: "The show was very educational, especially for our younger pupils. Now they will be more careful when they cross roads.

"The initiative has encouraged us to start a scholar patrol and to paint safety slogans on the walls."