Macfarlane Sedibe, Hector Radebe in Midrand: Keep on trucking…

It’s the quietness. It’s really very strange…Quietness on the roads, quietness in the towns.

We are often totally alone on the road. Occasionally we see a car or truck. In all our years of driving, we have never experienced this before.

Macfarlane: Since lockdown, I have not even seen one taxi on the road. Now that’s really strange!

Our work as truck drivers take us around the country – to all provinces, with the exception of the Western Cape. We spend many hours a week in their cabs. When travelling to places, such as Upington in the Northern Cape, we can spend up to six days in our cabs.

Extreme calm on roads an eerie feeling

Because of the quietness, we are actually nervous to stop during our daily travels. It is eerie, this extreme calm. It’s like we are waiting for something to happen, but nothing ever does.

Everyone is talking about coronavirus all the time. People are worried.

Macfarlane: I stay with my wife and three children, who are 14, seven, and four. My children know a lot about the virus. We watch the news all the time – we don’t even watch soapies anymore. The news is on all the time.

Radebe: I also has three children, all adults. Every time I leave for work, my children say to me: “Daddy, please be careful, please wear your protective clothing – your gloves and masks – and remember to sanitise!”

‘Stay safe’ travels

Our employer, Vector Logistics, has been doing its best to assist us. We’ve received personal protective equipment (PPE) and make sure we have what we need to travel safely.

Despite the Covid-19 chaos, we are part of essential services and proud to be able to deliver food to our principals and customers.

Take the virus seriously. To our fellow truck drivers, we say: On the days you are not working, please stay at home. Sanitise and stay at home!