SA pothole stories told by Daily Maverick readers

Champagne Valley, Cuskin Park, South Africa. “When we visited Dragon Peaks, we noticed this pothole in the shape of Africa. Ah, the irony.” – Warren Wootton (Photo: Warren Wootton)

“On Bedford Road, Grahamstown.” (Photo: Katherine Mitchell)

Melrose, Johannesburg. “I've been there forever.” (Photo: Daily Maverick reader)

“Every year, the rain creates this pothole in the same spot on the same street in Radiokop. Any effort to fill it will only last until the next big storm passes, and then it will only get deeper. This time, someone put a potted geranium in the hole to at least warn oncoming traffic that this is a one-lane road.'' (Photo: Daily Maverick Reader)

“This pothole has been 'repaired' once before by filling the hole with sand. However, when it rained in December, the hole opened again. Residents tried to make the potholes easier to see to prevent people from losing their tires. Since it was Christmas time, some decorations were needed to maintain the festive spirit. Here my son is adding some tinsel. Unfortunately, after a few days, the hole was “repaired” again and the decoration disappeared. Plans are currently underway to beautify the hole for Valentine's Day. ” (Photo: Daily Maverick reader)

pothole cavity. “Our local dental clinic used this pothole as an advertising tool on their page with the caption 'Don't let your teeth deteriorate like our roads.'” (Photo: Gail Wilson)

“Knysna – If you can’t fix it, make it a roundabout!!!” (Photo: Daily Maverick reader)

“I'm curious who put the precautions around. I love the signs that say this is our democracy and we have to own it.” (Photo: Viv spooner)

“It's been reclaimed, but it was on First Avenue West in Parktown North. Joburg Water dug a huge hole and left it unfilled for years. This happened a few years ago, but now… But this is my favorite photo of the pothole. Unfortunately, I don't know the name of the swimmer or the photographer.'' (Photo: Melanie Walker)

“Unfortunately, since I live in Cape Town, when I tried to take a photo of the pothole, the city council had already repaired it.” (Photo: Guy Rowe)

Craighall Park, corner of Buckingham Street and Clarence Street. “The water pipe broke on August 11, 2023, more than half a year ago!” (Photo: Jos du Trevoux)

“One of many excavations carried out by City Electric to replace the Urania Street cable at the Observatory in Johannesburg. This one is about five years old. The really deep ones are always carried out by Johannesburg Water. (Photo: Keith S. Peacock)

R48 between Petrusville and Phillipstown. “It's been there for years. Large trucks are also contributing to this catastrophe because the rail system is not working.” (Photo: Thomas Gerber)