Readers’ opinion: Voëlklip Road

GEORGE NEWS - After another person lost his life after driving over a cliff on the Voëlklip road last week, a renewed call by some residents to close the road has been circulating on social media. There are however many who feel that road closure is not the solution.

George Herald asked our readers what they think should be done to avoid further deaths, besides closing this beautiful road.

PLEASE NOTE: The property on which Voëlklip Road is located is private, and the gravel road falls under the jurisdiction of the provincial government.

Magrietha van Niekerk: Kameras sal dalk help hang af hoe plek se uitleg is en of mense dit kan monitor.

Riyaad Van Beling: Bou rommel kan in pad gegooi raak sodat geen voertuig daar oor of deur kan ry nie, soos in baie bou rommel - maar net my opinie.

Lisa Jardim Swanepoel: Condolences to all the families that have lost loved ones on Voëlklip. My husband and I had this discussion yesterday when I shared the last tragic incident with him. Everyone will have different opinions, and rightly so, as we all have different backgrounds and our own life references. Our opinion is that if that area would be closed down, another area would be found as the last resort for some people who feel there is no other way. So we need to support more, empathize more and motivate everyone around us, especially our own families and friends to open up when they feel they are at their lowest. I would definitely suggest putting up a board there with a helpline and a quote (changed quarterly), that is visible at night as well pointing suicidal persons in another direction providing much love and support. If you are reading this please comment on this thread what quotes one could share. This is a problem in George, so George should help one another. It could be your child, husband or wife next time.

Nicky Levendal: Dit is nie nodig dat die pad gesluit raak nie. Dit is groot, volwasse en verstandige mense wat besluit om hul lewe te neem.

Helene du Bruyn: Just put up a fence or barricade of some sort like they did at Storms River Bridge and add suicide hotline boards and motivational boards.

Chadwick Stride: Put down concrete blocks. The devil is busy with the human race it's time to repent even in difficult times, God is in control.

Thabo Twayise: Security must be hired by George Municipality to be there 24/7 visible.

Sam Pretorius: Maak 'n parkeerterrein by die ingang van die hoofpad en versperrings sodat mense kan stap, fietsry en motorfietsry na die kruis toe. Dan kan die wat die omgewing wil geniet dit steeds doen sonder dat mense met hulle motors daar af jaag.

Anneke Olivier: Its not the road that's the problem. More and more people are experiencing depression due to times being so hard. Jobs are scarce, or offering R6000 - R7000 per month, petrol is high, rent is high or you cant find anything pet friendly, food, and electricity is high. People are struggling with the bare necessities not even to mention insurance, life cover, funeral policies, school fees and the list goes on. If someone wants to commit suicide they will find a place. It will not stop the issue to close Voëlklip road, it will just move on to another place. Society should stop "advertising" suicide every chance they get, it creates more awareness and plants the seed in the back of people's minds. People should have more compassion for each other and what they are going through. Depression is a real thing and it is a dangerous thing.

Annette le Grange: As mense wil selfmood pleeg gaan hulle 'n plan maak om dit te doen. Om 'n pad toe te maak gaan nie die probleem oplos nie. Hulle gaan kry net 'n ander plek om af te ry. Daardie mense het hulp nodig, die mens moet gehelp word. Nou klou die stigma aan Voëlklip maar dit is nie die plek nie. Dis hartseer....

Werner Fleazy Stoffels: Asof dit gaan help teen mense wat wil selfmoord pleeg. Enigste hulp sal wees om mekaar lief te hê en ophou mekaar afkraak is al hulp wat daar is teen dit. Die pad vat nie lewens nie. Die mense doen dit self want hulle het genoeg gehad van mense wat hulle afkraak in elke way imaginable. Môre ry hulle by die pas af dan wil da gesê word dis die pad se skuld.