ABERDEEN NEWS - Aberdeen folk have rallied to support the emergency services personnel who are manning the roadblock at the junction of the N9 and the Beaufort West road.
On Thursday, about 50 people from SAPS, the Traffic Department and various health care facilities were hard at work testing all occupants of vehicles arriving from the Western Cape.
The healthcare workers came from as far afield as Jansenville to augment the local staff, and Aberdeen and Graaff-Reinet traffic officers and SAPS members were involved.
First to offer some treats was Hannelie van der Westhuizen from the local padstal, who sent across coffee, tea, jaffels and pancakes for breakfast.
Spotlights and a large tent for shade and shelter are offered by Derick van Rensburg. Penny Farthing Construction will be supplying portaloos - an essential when so many workers are confined to an area for long shifts.
Estelle van Wyk and a team of ladies from the local Dutch Reformed Church also saw a need, and in true small-town spirit have come together to help these emergency workers.
A long line of motorists waiting patiently.
Within less than two hours this morning they put together 50 meals of curry and rice, and delivered them to the roadblock, ready packed in containers, with disposable spoons.
"We wanted to provide a nutritious meal that would be easy to eat with a spoon, and not messy," explained Estelle. Together with her husband Dick and fellow volunteer Wilhemien Caricato, Estelle set up a table for the food, handed it over to Aberdeen hospital CEO Patiswa Rilityana-Pietersen complete with black bags for the rubbish, before heading home to organise cupcakes for the afternoon and soup and sandwiches for the evening shift.
The emergency workers are being kept extremely busy – in just one hour between noon and 1pm, 233 travellers were tested.
Sebastian Hoffman with young Henry, travelling home to East London from Cape Town.
The roadblock will be in operation 24 hours a day for the next 21 days. The hospital urn is available on site, and they are asking for donations of coffee, milk, and sugar.
Anyone who can help or who is able to help bake or cook, please contact Estelle on 081 785 4216 or 049 846 0016.
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