Road Accident statistics and reports in South Africa

http://www.focusontransport.co.za/regulars/focus-on-bus-and-coach/bus-and-coach/590-fatal-crashes-why-south-africa-has-such-a-bad-reputation.html

A trucker called Daniel Jordaan

He climbed up into the drivers seat. She was untouched and untried. He couldn't help but admire the Tippers interior, the deep blue and feel of her. This was a superdumpster and the thrill pulled at him. His assistant Vusi, shone with excitement. Today he was to give this Tipper the time of her life. That was the intention anyway but anxiety and worry oozed from every pore. He wasn't himself. He felt the weight of life like a sandbag on each shoulder....his back bent by stress. The office decided he would be given a new model to try out. Not the best day for him but he couldn't tell them that. Management processes and changes had placed his job on the line and his family needed to be fed and bills paid. 30 long years. Thats how far back he'd been driving trucks. Sleepers, flatbeds, tippers or dumpsters and waste management trucks. He even tried his hand at cranes. There wasn't a truck he couldn't manage.

The memories of his life on the road were endless. Exhausting, joyous and endless. Motel after motel. He could write a book. His back hurt somewhat, pain shooting down his left arm, his chest felt heavy. He'd had the pain for sometime now but preferred to ignore it. The job had to be done. He was the best man for it. The heat plundered him today. The condition of the roads were becoming more and more treacherous. He steered her carefully and finally the open road greeted him with applause. The radio crackled and creeked but eventually worked well and communications check was in place. Dollie Parton assured him that she would always love him. But his mind was on other things. His attentions shifted. During the next hour or more his focus remained divided. He saw Vusi's gestures in his peripheral vision but ignored him. He didn't feel like conversing or getting into any small talk. Sweat trickled from his brow and he impatiently and irritably swiped at it. The easy sights of scenic landscapes did little to settle him. His nerves were raw and on edge. Before long the auction would be upon him. The truck swerved but he was oblivious to its movements. Seemed as if he was driving on autopilot though he felt the strain of concentration in each muscle.

“Daniel?…....Daniel, the trailer feels shaky, Daniel!” Vusi called but he paid little attention. He kept driving, wanting to reach his destination in good time so he could lay his head down and find some quiet and rest. He needed to think. He lifted his hand in acknowledgement so that Vusi wouldn't think him rude. His house, his home, his family. What can a man do after he has done and tried everything. He had to think. He had to come up with a plan that would solve the problem for all. A plan to save his family. Another pothole, damn! This baby was made for difficult terrain but he really needed to report the condition of this route. It was appalling! Beauty felt heavy in his hand, choked and spluttered a few times too. Strange. He'd never quite felt that way about a new one. They were normally smooth and easy. But today was different. Something was wrong. Everything was wrong. But he had to keep going, his family needed him to.

Again Vusi seemed to be gesturing to him. His voice sounded frantic as he touched Daniels arm. But Daniel wasn't listening though Vusi's voice came to him loud and clear. “Not now Vusi”, his own sounding dry and cold.........strained. “Captain! Captain, watch out”! He heard Vusi''s screams too late as his beauty jerked and jumped, her back swaying and swerving vigorously across the road. “Oh God, Vusi”!. He saw his family, his home, his house. He was unaware he had hit a curb at a speed he would normally never drive on this road. “Get down Vusi, he shouted, “get down my friend”. Beauty veered to the left even though his hands were urging her to turn right. “C'mon love”! he shouted as he had done many times during the 30 years he had driven new company vehicles. “You can do this”! But beauty was hurt, her bearings had been injured and her wheel had come undone.

She threw her body down, like a toddler in a tantrum, wheels spinning, her nose stricken with pain, leaving a trailer of banged up twisted metal. Daniel threw up his arms as if to ward off the blows from the shattering glass, but his head was flung against the door. The impact cracking his skull like a walnut. From then on out the captain felt nothing. 

Beauty's heart made a raucous coughing sound as she slithered across the road, yet all the while her nose remained erect in a typically dignified manner that would delight any CAT manufacturer. A deathly silence meandered towards them and accompanied the whooshing sound of spinning wheels. Vusi lay on the floor, in a bloody heap with broken legs and punctured spleen. Daniel thought of his family. “help them God...........and be with them, …......please” he prayed. He felt so tired. His body succumbed to its injuries and while drifting off, he silently pleaded to God for his family and for their daily need. “A clear motorway.......what a miracle, thank you God”.

Peter Armstrong, who was Daniel and Vusi's superior, hurriedly arrived at the scene and peered inside the once beautiful Tipper. As company management, he came prepared to assess the wreckage piled in the centre of what is deemed to be one of the cities busiest motorways. But when he saw Vusi's hand grasp the hand of the man whom he endearingly called “captain”, he turned his head in sadness. Vusi had driven with Daniel for 15 long years. Peter lifted Daniel Jordaan's body and settled his head against the head rest. Then he squared Daniels shoulders, wiped the streaks of blood and sweat from his bruised face and straightened his shirt. Peter removed his suits jacket and covered the body of Daniel Jordaan. “I salute you Captain”, he said, “you did well”. Silence dropped its head in acknowledgement and the slow whooshy sound of spinning wheels echoed its sorrow.

The family of Daniel Jordaan will never know that his last drive was just for them.

Author: ~BFK~
Copyright (C) 2012

Dedicated to the truckers who have lost their lives in road accidents.

All names used in this story are fictitious and bears no reference to any persons living or dead, though sketched situations and circumstances may share similarities to reported road accidents.

Love what you do and do what you love

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

 Theodore Roosevelt

Do what you love

The City of Cape Town beautifully captured by Kate Turkington

http://www.iol.co.za/travel/south-africa/western-cape/the-superlative-cape-1.1236475

The Value of a Man

The true character and value of a man is determined by the challenges he has overcome and his ability to rise after falling.

Patrick Terry Galloway

Links to alternate creative works by Patrick Terry Galloway

http://beulahkleinveldt.blogspot.com/2012/02/we-called-him-soul-life-and-legacy-of.html

http://beulahkleinveldt.blogspot.com/2011/12/tribute-to-mozzie-joe-galloway-my.html

http://beulahkleinveldt.blogspot.com/2011/12/shaabi.html

More about Patrick Terry Galloway

The focus of a man who aims to win

Patrick's mistress is golf and nothing stops this former professional basketball, soccer player and unassuming gentleman from achieving his objectives on any course.  Simply put, Patrick aims to win.........always.  He thrives in the outdoors and pursues adrenaline based activity.

He is silent though not shy about his writing prowess but at the stroke of a pen delivers heartwarming, controversial, humorous and between the eye facts and stories delivered with precision and leaves the reader with the desire to respond and engage.

PTG (as known by many) has a mind and heart that has been nurtured and moulded by life's many gemstones.  Some not always handed to him with ease.  His journey has been and is complexed and at some levels complicated but it has produced a soul of integrity, the honor, strength and focus of a knight and the backbone of a man who stands strong in his convictions.  

We are graced with a spiritual man of substance, who understands and believes that God is the source of all life and wisdom.  

Indeed, Patrick Terry Galloway is ............  "A soldier without a gun".

Patrick and his caddy

Compiled by:  Beulah Faith Kleinveldt

http://beulahkleinveldt.blogspot.com
Content and photo's: By permission (all rights reserved)

Leadership Development Training & Consulting - Robin Sharma - Official Site

Leadership Development Training & Consulting - Robin Sharma - Official Site

Robin Sharma | Fear as Growth

Robin Sharma Articles | Fear as Growth

I remember watching CNN talk show host Larry King being interviewed on PBS by Charlie Rose. Said something that I've carried with me to this day. A simple point (like the best points): work out first thing in the morning - then what should get done gets done. Perfect.

Health is your wealth. Without it, you have nothing. You know that (do you live that though?). I had coffee with an amazing friend/thinker last week. He's in his early forties and operates at a rare level of fitness. “Robin, my philosophy is that the way I treat my body now determines whether I'll be healthy or sick when I'm seventy.” Brilliant insight. And he works out in the morning.

So here are the 7 reasons to exercise in the morning that I teach my executive coaching clients as well as the organizations we work with to unleash the potential of their people:

#1: As Larry King suggested, if you work out early, it just gets done. Otherwise, it's so easy to come up with excuses not to work out as your day unfolds (hungry/tired/stressed out/need to go home to my family/tomorrow will be a better day to do it)

#2. By working out in the morning, you actually jump start your metabolism and start up your fat burning engine within. So your workout has an even greater impact and more leverage.

#3. By working out in the morning, you'll make better choices around your diet (isn't that true?...when we feel fit, we eat better)

#4. The burst of energy that an early morning workout provokes will sustain you and keep you energized all day. Increases your stamina.

#5. The endorphin rush that your morning workout generates makes you feel happy - which carries through each of your day's remaining hours (that alone is worth it; there IS a “secret” to happiness. Cost: a pair of running shoes).

#6: An early morning workout burns off your stress. And it increases your perspective. Problems just don't seem as big. And creativity soars. You can handle the day with far greater focus, resilience to change and calmness.

#7. The morning workout will help you to think more clearly. As the best businesspeople are those who are the best thinkers (and decision-makers).

So join me. Please. Get up early and exercise. Simple idea. That just might revolutionize your career as well as your life.