From stress to smiles: festive motorists get an unexpected refreshment. Pictures Credits: TheFuse
By Aisha Zardad
Johannesburg – What usually begins with clenched jaws and racing hearts took an unexpected turn for motorists travelling through Springs, Ekurhuleni, this festive season.
Drivers approaching a routine SAPS roadblock earlier this week were bracing themselves for the familiar drill — licence checks, long queues and that unmistakable holiday anxiety. Instead, many were greeted with something far more refreshing: ice-cold cans of soft drink, handed through car windows by smiling police officers.
The surprise gesture instantly changed the mood. Laughter replaced tension, and confused glances quickly turned into smiles. “I was ready for the usual roadblock stress and then I got a cold drink instead,” one motorist said. “Only in Joburg.”
The initiative was a collaboration between the South African Police Service in Ekurhuleni and PURA Beverage Company, aimed at easing tensions as thousands of South Africans begin hitting the roads for December travel.
Ekurhuleni district police commissioner, Major-General Anna Sithole, said the activation was about meeting motorists with humanity during one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year.
“As law enforcement, we see first-hand how demanding this period can be for road users,” Sithole said. “This was an opportunity to connect with motorists in a positive way and remind them that our priority is their safety. A small moment of kindness can make a big difference.”
The moment also carried a uniquely South African twist. The word “cooldrink” at a roadblock is often joked about as meaning something far less innocent. On this occasion, it meant exactly what it said — a cold drink, freely given, with no strings attached.
PURA Beverage Company CEO Greig Jansen said the idea was born out of recognising how overwhelming December can feel for many South Africans.
“Life gets heavy — traffic, deadlines, family commitments and the festive rush,” Jansen said. “Sometimes a small pause, something as simple as a cold drink, can shift the mood completely. That’s what we wanted to create.”
Motorists seemed to agree. “From ‘Oh no…’ to ‘Oh wow, thanks!’ in five seconds flat,” another driver joked as he pulled away.
For many, it was a rare festive-season roadblock memory — one that ended with a smile instead of a sigh.
