Watch: Meet Mr Pothole

Meet Pietermaritzburg’s Mr Pothole or Pothole Paul.
A chartered accountant and financial advisor by day, and a pothole-fixer whenever he has free time, Paul Moschides is passionate about active citizenry. “This is my third year of fixing potholes. Whilst in lockdown, in March 2020, I went for walks in my Pietermaritzburg suburb of Oak Park and noticed to my dismay that potholes were appearing due to Municipality neglect. “I then went onto You Tube and spent hours researching pothole repairs. While most people would wonder why Moschides started this, he said there was a need for active citizenry.
“We own our country, NOT the municipality, NOT the government.”
He said he was also overwhelmed with the community response:
“I get heaps of enthusiasm, people stop and drop off cool drinks , beers, takeaways,sweets, etc.” Moschides began fixing potholes with a start up of his own money of R20 000.
“Then I thought if there are 250 homes in Oak Park. If each one puts R40 per month, that’s R10 000 per month.
“So I went door to door and compiled a schedule.
“In two and a half years I have not changed the contribution. It’s a numbers game , so I prefer to keep the R40 the same and just add contributors.
“After 2 years , all the potholes in Oak Park were done.”

“I have paid for a website called www.pmbpotholes.com and on there, anyone can make a contribution.
“Either a once off contribution (the website takes the person to a PayPal portal) or a R40 per month (I have set up a bank account with a firm of Chartered Accountants in Pmb, which has independent signatories (NOT me) and to whom I present my expenses (I use my own money) and then claim from this bank account after scrutiny by the Honorary Treasurer.
“I have procured a corporate sponsor at about R20 000 per month, starting soon. They will provide a vehicle and trailer and pothole repair equipment and pothole repair material (cold tar, mainly) . They said they have been inspired by me and that I must lead and guide this team daily . Their reward is the exposure they will get from the advertising on the vehicle and trailer. They want to be known as the ones who fix potholes in Pmb.”
Moschides said at the end of the day he wants to engender active citizenry.
“Whereby we take back our city from the municipality and take responsibility for things under our control.I love being part of the solution and encouraging others to do so too.”