Jeanine Boshoff Lewis’s life was forever changed on 18 August last year when a horrific collision on Main Road, Walmer claimed the life of her son, Aden, and left her with catastrophic injuries.
“My 12-year-old son, Aden, was killed instantly on the scene,” Lewis recounted. “I was rushed to hospital by ambulance, not realising that my real battle was only beginning,” she wrote in a letter to the mayor.
The crash left the heartbroken mom with a collapsed lung, surgical emphysema, a fractured pelvis and a broken hand.
However, the full extent of her injuries only became apparent days later, as she has since been diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (Level 2), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Now medically boarded and registered as disabled, Lewis has spent months in and out of the hospital, from January to July 2025, with ongoing treatment.
Despite writing to authorities, pleading for traffic calming measures following her son’s death in August last year, Lewis says numerous accidents have continued to occur on the same dangerous stretch of road.
In a follow-up letter dated 8 October, this time to Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe, she described witnessing another serious collision that morning.
“Two vehicles collided, and one even rolled over. It’s heartbreaking and deeply frustrating to see the same tragedy repeat itself whilst our pleas for intervention are ignored.”
Sadly, for the mom who lives in Walmer and commutes along the same road daily, it is forever a reminder of her son’s tragic death and the need for road safety measures.
“How many more accidents need to happen before something changes?” she asked.
Lewis argues that traffic lights alone are insufficient and calls for the installation of speed humps, traffic circles and working streetlights to slow reckless drivers.
In her correspondence, Lewis pointed to the National Road Traffic Act and the Municipal Systems Act, which place a duty on local authorities to ensure road safety and take reasonable measures to protect the public from foreseeable harm.
“This road has become a proven danger, and urgent traffic-calming measures are no longer optional — they are necessary,” she stated.
Despite losing her child, her health, her career and her sense of safety, Lewis refuses to remain silent.
“Every day is a struggle — physically, mentally and emotionally. But my greatest pain is knowing my child’s death could have been prevented,” she shared.
“This is not just about my son. It’s about every mother, father and child who travels that road daily — not knowing that one night, one reckless driver, could destroy everything.”
Lewis is calling on authorities to take immediate action before another family suffers the same devastating loss.
“No one deserves to go through what I am living with every day. Aden’s life must not be forgotten – his death must mean change.”
In response to the heartfelt letter and request for road safety measures, the Executive Mayor instructed the Traffic and Road Safety Department to implement road safety measures.
“I am deeply saddened by the serious accident on Main Road, Walmer, and extend my heartfelt condolences to the affected family,” Lobishe commented.
“Road safety is a top priority, and I have directed our Traffic and Road Safety Department to urgently implement traffic-calming measures, including speed humps and traffic circles to prevent further incidents.”
She also urged motorists to drive responsibly.
“We are reviewing all safety data along this route and will take every possible step to protect our residents. I urge all motorists to drive responsibly and report dangerous conditions.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.