REMARKABLE RECORD

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 4, 6 January 1938, Page 9

REMARKABLE RECORD

A little-known epic in the history of the postal service in- South Africa is being made up by two Natal natives, Mbandhlana and Garigiswa Gwala, who have carried mail twentj&rfive miles on foot practically every week day for about twenty 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 twelve 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. They 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 5s a month each. This works out at £39: a year for walking 7200 miles with, si times, some 301b-of post to carrjr.