End of the road for traffic warden, Uncle Charlie

Known to many as Uncle Charlie, the man who would help pedestrians, especially children, safely across Kloofnek Road, Tamboerskloof, has hung up his reflector jacket for good and has retired at 70.

His last day was on Tuesday, September 30.

Mahedie Charles, better known as Uncle Charlie from Bo-Kaap, has been a traffic warden at this zebra crossing for 11 years and said he enjoyed every minute of it.

He said he will mostly miss the children who respected him and were happy to see him every day.

Uncle Charlie said Tamboerskloof has some of the most amazing people he has ever met across his life’s journey.

When he wasn’t stopping cars and escorting people over the road, he was sweeping the pavement at his station.

“For me, it was always about the safety of the people, and the children, so it didn’t feel like a job. I just loved helping people, which is my passion,” he said.

Uncle Charlie said he worked for many companies before becoming a traffic warden, including working at a world-renowned paint company in their ink printing department for 22 years.

He wanted to thank his friend and mentor, senior traffic officer Frasier Strydom, for showing him all he needed to know about the job.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis thanked Uncle Charlie for his hard work and said that he is a “wonderful example of what it means to be a true servant of his community.”

Mr Hill-Lewis said Uncle Charlie always had a warm and friendly smile, often “accompanied with a broom.”

Ward 54 councillor Nicola Jowell said: “The end of an era! We will miss your happy smiles, Charles. Have a wonderfully well-earned retirement.”