Free OUTsurance service makes life better for people in Johannesburg and Pretoria

Most commuters in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Paarl, and Stellenbosch have seen the OUTsurance pointsmen in their distinctive lime-green and purple uniforms.

For two decades, the OUTsurance Pointsmen Project has been tackling South Africa’s persistent challenges of traffic congestion and unemployment.

The OUTsurance Pointsmen Project is entirely funded by OUTsurance as a flagship corporate social investment (CSI) initiative.

Launched in September 2005, it was created in response to Johannesburg’s worsening traffic light situation due to rapid urbanisation, ageing infrastructure, and frequent disruptions.

Partnering with Traffic FreeFlow, a specialised traffic management company, OUTsurance deployed its first team of 21 trained pointsmen and women to high-volume intersections across the city.

These teams quickly became a familiar and welcome sight, assisting motorists at malfunctioning traffic lights and accident-prone areas.

“The service is free to the public and is funded by OUTsurance as part of our commitment to community upliftment and road safety, in collaboration with local municipalities,” said OUTsurance.

The program’s immediate success led to its expansion to Tshwane (Pretoria) in May 2011, where the Metro Police endorsed the deployment of pointsmen at key traffic hotspots.

Temporary pilots were also conducted in Cape Town’s city centre from 2011 to 2017, though these ended due to shifting municipal priorities. The project has recently been extended to Paarl and Stellenbosch.

Today, over 200 pointsmen and women operate across South Africa’s two richest provinces, Gauteng and the Western Cape.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, they assisted in flattening the curve by sanitising taxis and taxi ranks in nuemrous areas.

These include Mamelodi, Tshwane CBD, Soshanguve, Pretoria North, Bronkhorstspruit, Ekurhuleni, Soweto, Mogale City, and Johannesburg City Centre.

When civil unrest erupted in July 2021, the pointsmen sprang into action again, embarking on a three-day clean-up operation across Alexandra, Ivory Park, Johannesburg CBD, Thembisa, and Soweto.

OUTsurance pointsmen training and powers

OUTsurance pointsmen are accredited traffic assistants, not law enforcement officers, operating under the National Road Traffic Act.

Recruited from disadvantaged communities, candidates submit their CVs and matric certificates to Traffic FreeFlow and undergo intensive training with Metro Police or municipal traffic departments.

The curriculum covers traffic control, safety protocols, and public engagement.

There are two types of pointsmen: static and mobile. Static pointsmen are stationed at specific high-traffic intersections, while mobile pointsmen are deployed to hotspots as needed.

Clad in high-visibility vests and armed with whistles and signage, they manage rush-hour chaos from 7:00 to 9:00 AM and 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, across more than 200 static and mobile points.

“These men and women are passionate about making your daily commute as stress-free as possible. You’ll recognise them by their bright-green bibs, toothy grins, and friendly demeanour,” said OUTsurance.

Commuters agree. “The pointsmen are a lifeline during peak hours,” said Johannesburg commuter, Thandiwe Mokoena. “They make a real difference when robots are out and accidents clog the roads.”

OUTsurance Pointsmen Project legacy and going forward

The OUTsurance Pointsmen Project has had a far-reaching impact beyond traffic management in South Africa’s major cities.

“The Pointsmen Initiative has not only proven to be a sustainable solution for improving traffic flow, but it has also greatly contributed to skills development within underprivileged communities,” said Danie Matthee, Chief Executive Officer at OUTsurance.

“It has created job opportunities for more than 280 matriculants from previously disadvantaged communities, providing them with valuable work experience and life skills.”

Over nearly two decades, the OUTsurance Pointsmen Project has grown from a small pilot to a nationally recognised program, demonstrating how corporate social investment can improve urban mobility while empowering communities.

OUTsurance pointsmen