Over 343,000 potholes and counting — Discovery Pothole Patrol marks 5 years of making Joburg’s roads safer

Discovery Pothole Patrol is marking five years of helping make Johannesburg’s roads safer, with more than 343,000 potholes repaired since the initiative launched in May 2021.

The public-private partnership between Discovery Insure, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), the City of Johannesburg and Avis Southern Africa has used more than 104 tons of asphalt to repair over 86,000 square metres of road surface across the city – an area equivalent to about 12 rugby fields.

The “superheroes” of Joburg
Behind the initiative is a team of around 40 people operating from eight repair vehicles daily to repair potholes across the city. For Robert Attwell, CEO of Discovery Insure, the people behind the repairs are the real “superheroes” of Joburg.

“They work tirelessly every day repairing potholes, often without recognition, but what they are really doing is making roads safer and helping restore confidence in the city,” says Attwell. “That’s what makes them superheroes.”

“Many of the team members have been part of the initiative since 2021,” says Precious Nduli, Chief Commercial Officer at Discovery Insure. “They work long hours, operate heavy machinery and often work in difficult conditions, but they take enormous pride in knowing their work helps keep people safe.”

Nduli says the initiative’s long-term success has also been driven by the quality and durability of repairs. “Our teams follow a strict repair process and continuously reinspect completed work to ensure potholes do not reopen. That diligence has contributed to a repair success rate of more than 99% when tested after one year,” she says.

Turning visible decline into visible progress
The initiative was informed by Discovery Insure’s analysis of more than 22 billion kilometres of driving data, which identified poor road conditions as a growing risk for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Adrian Gore, Group Chief Executive of Discovery, says the initiative demonstrates what is possible when business, government and residents work together to solve practical problems at scale.

“Fixing potholes may seem like a small intervention, but it has meaningful downstream effects. Fewer potholes lead to fewer accidents, lower insurance claims and a reduced maintenance burden on the City,” says Gore, adding that it helps “turn symbols of decline into evidence of progress.”

A city-wide effort
The initiative’s impact has also been driven by Johannesburg residents themselves. Since launch, more than 90,000 potholes have been reported through the free Discovery Pothole Patrol app.

One resident alone has reported 1,493 potholes that have since been fixed – the highest number logged by an individual on the platform to date.

“That level of participation shows that people want to be part of improving the city,” says Nduli. “When residents report potholes through the app, they are playing an active role in helping make Johannesburg’s roads safer.”

She adds that community support has become one of the initiative’s most motivating factors for repair teams. “When residents see the Pothole Patrol teams on the road, they often hoot, wave or stop to thank them. That support means a lot to the teams because they can see the difference they are making in people’s daily lives,” she says.

A partnership helping to move Johannesburg forward
Gore says the Discovery Pothole Patrol initiative demonstrates how collaboration can unlock meaningful impact. “This partnership has brought together capacity, capability, and participation to solve a real problem in a way that is both practical and impactful. Importantly, this is not a once-off intervention. It is a strong foundation for continued partnership and sustained progress.”

Litha Nkombisa, Chief Sales Executive at Avis Southern Africa, says: “As a proud mobility partner of the Discovery Pothole Patrol initiative, we are honoured to celebrate five years of meaningful impact and collaboration in keeping Johannesburg’s roads safer and more accessible for all road users.

“Through the provision of reliable mobility solutions, we have enabled the teams on the ground to respond swiftly and efficiently to pothole repairs across the City. This milestone reflects the power of partnership in driving positive change within our communities, and we look forward to continuing this journey together in creating better road experiences for motorists across Johannesburg.”

Zweli Nyathi, Chief Executive Officer of the Johannesburg Roads Agency, says the five-year milestone of the initiative has shown the value of sustained collaboration in addressing critical service delivery challenges facing the City. “Through the Discovery Pothole Patrol partnership, we have demonstrated that when government and the private sector work together with a shared commitment to residents, we can achieve meaningful and measurable impact.

“Road infrastructure is fundamental to economic activity, public safety and the daily mobility of our communities. Every pothole repaired contributes towards safer roads, improved commuter confidence and the preservation of Johannesburg’s road network.

“As the Johannesburg Roads Agency, we remain committed to sustainable road maintenance interventions and partnerships that support the City’s long-term infrastructure recovery efforts. We would like to thank Discovery Insure, Avis Southern Africa and the residents of Johannesburg for continuing to play an active role in helping us build a safer, more resilient and better-connected city.”

Kenny Kunene, member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, says: “I firmly believe in the transformative power of public-private partnerships. The Discovery Pothole Patrol initiative is a testament to how collaboration with the private sector can significantly enhance our infrastructure and improve the everyday lives of our residents.

“By pooling resources, expertise, and innovation, we not only address pressing challenges like road maintenance more efficiently but also lay the groundwork for a more resilient and thriving city. Together, we are paving the way to a safer and more interconnected Johannesburg.”

How residents can help
To report a pothole in Johannesburg, residents can download the free Discovery Pothole Patrol app, available on iOS and Android, register, capture the pothole’s location, and upload a picture.