POSTAL EPIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 283, 29 November 1937, Page 8

POSTAL EPIC.

7000 MILES A YEAR ON FOOT. A SOUTH AFBICAN TRADITION. A little-known epic in the history of the postal service in South Africa is being built up by two Natal natives, Mbandhlana and Bangiswa Gwala, who have carried mail 25 miles on foot practically every week day for about 20 years. One sets out from Estcourt in the morning with seven private post bags, which he drops at farms by the way, and a mail bag destined for the postal terminus at Rockmount, the home of Mr. Jack Keer, near Hlatikulu. His route for the first 12 miles is along a motor road; for much of the remainder it follows ancient, eroded tracks and a footpath which winds among the lower foothills of the Drakensberg. crossing and recrossing the Bushman's River.

The other postman leaves Rockmount with the ingoing mail and takes up seven private bags on his way to Estcourt.

The men cover the distance in about eight hours. They rest only on Sundays and public holidays. They never take any leave. Occasionally one rides a horse. Neither has ever had a bicycle.

Their wage was recently raised from £3 to £3 5/ a month each. This works out at £39 a year for walking 7200 miles with, at times, some 301b of post to carry.

But they are in a great tradition, for before them the poet was carried along the same route by one Charlie Gwala, elder brother of Mbandhlana and father of Bangiswa. The bearing of the mail has been a family affair for more than a generation.

Both Mbandhlana and Bangiswa have fears for the future of the service. Each has a son. But the sons shows no disposition to take up the tradition.