News24 | Bo-Kaap’s Mr Charles showered with love after years helping kids cross Kloof Nek Road

Mahedie Charles, aka Mr Charles, has been given a heartwarming retirement send-off after delighting schoolchildren in Kloof Nek Road with his now-iconic wave and smile.

• A local legend who did his job with a smile near the busy Kloof Nek Road zebra crossing, “Mr Charles”, has retired.
• The 70-year-old received letters from schoolchildren, who affectionately called him Uncle Charlie or Mr Lightman.
• His favourite memories include being able to bring peace between warring moms and kids, who would smile upon seeing his famous wave.

If you’ve ever driven through Tamboerskloof, up or down the notorious Kloof Nek Road, you would have seen a familiar crossing guard and his trusty broom.

For the past 11 years, Mahedie Charles, aka Mr Charles, Charlie, or Mr Lightman, has served various parents, children, tourists and passersby with a smile, a laugh and a now-famous wave.

Born and raised in nearby Bo-Kaap, he only took leave when he had to go to the day hospital and always ensured he had his broom handy to clean and ward his domain.

On Tuesday, the City of Cape Town and residents thanked him, and he received hundreds of heartwarming messages and letters from schoolchildren on his last day ahead of his retirement.

“I’m going to miss it,” he told News24 this week. “I love children, I like the atmosphere of the people going past in their cars… I’m going to miss everything up there.”

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He had many humorous moments in his interactions.

“My favourite memories are when the mummies come past, sometimes they are fighting with the children, but as soon as they see me waving and smiling at them, everything is over, mummy is normal again and the children start laughing,” he said.

Mr Charles has been manning the Kloof Nek Road zebra crossing since 2014. It services many schools in the surrounding area, including Tamboerskloof Primary School, Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck and the German International School.

He received many letters and cards on his last day, including this sweet message, signed by Juno, Luna and Anne: “Dear Mr Lightman (that’s what we called you). Every day we drove past and you lit up our day with your smile and the wave you created.

“Very happy memories, like when we pulled over to show you our handmade stop sign or you gave us lollipops 10 years ago! You made every morning feel special.”

Before his now legendary posting with the City, Mr Charles worked in the paint industry for three decades, dabbling in quality control, research and development, and customer service.

He has two sons and a daughter.

On his first day off, he is looking to enjoy the fruits of retirement along with his wife.

“I’m sitting at home today,” he said with a laugh. “But now I’m going to do gardening and some odd jobs at home.”

Mr Charles also thanked his former mentors and supervisors for training him diligently on the job, including Frasier Strydom.

“I just want to thank them for teaching me, and I’m going to miss them a lot.”

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who presented Mr Charles with a certificate for good service three years ago, acknowledged the beloved traffic warden’s retirement on Instagram and Facebook to thousands of likes and hundreds of comments.

“His warm and friendly smile has always been accompanied with a broom – to sweep the pavement around his ‘station’ when not helping school kids across the road!” the post read.

“Uncle Charlie is a wonderful example of what it means to be a true servant of his community. Thank you, Uncle Charlie!”

These were some of the comments:

• “Was sad to see the sign this morning. Been driving past him for the last 12 years. Always friendly. Thank you for your service, Sir,” said Chimone.
• “I see him every day on the way to work and he is always so friendly! Seeing him just brightens up my day! He will be missed!” said Beulah.
• “Enjoy your retirement, Uncle Charlie. You did well,” said Heavenly.

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