As South Africa marks Nelson Mandela Month, child road safety organisation Wheel Well handed over hundreds of Halo Beanies across different communities as part of a nationwide initiative aimed at improving child pedestrian visibility during the winter months.

According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), 734 (13.46%) child pedestrians between the ages of 0-14 years, lost their lives on South African roads in 2024, with the majority of fatal pedestrian crashes occurring during low-light conditions at dawn, dusk or at night.

The handover forms part of the 2026 Halo Beanie Project, a community-driven road safety initiative that equips children with hand-knitted and crocheted beanies incorporating reflective yarn. When illuminated by vehicle headlights, the reflective fibres help make children more visible to motorists while also keeping them warm during cold winter mornings.

So far, the initiative has reached communities in Khayelitsha, Pretoria North, Alexandra and the Western Cape through partners including African Brain Child, SAVF Ruimte, the Union of Jewish Women, Childsafe, Fight with Insight and the Fisantekraal Rotary Club.

Reflecting on the handovers, Wheel Well Founder Peggie Mars said the initiative demonstrates how communities can come together to make a meaningful difference in children's safety.

"Too many children walk to school in the dark, especially during winter, often alongside busy roads where drivers simply cannot see them in time. The Halo Beanie is a simple but effective way of improving their visibility and every beanie represents someone who has chosen to make a difference in a child's journey to school. We're grateful to every volunteer, community organisation and partner who has helped make this project possible," she said.

Supported by Supa Quick, the initiative brought together volunteers, community organisations and knitting groups from across the country to produce hundreds of Halo Beanies for children across Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape. Supa Quick supported the project by providing yarn packs, helping volunteers bring the life-saving initiative to communities where it is needed most.

Supa Quick Brand Manager Yolandi Grundeling said supporting the initiative aligns with the brand's commitment to road safety.

"Road safety extends beyond the vehicle. Supporting initiatives like the Halo Beanie Project allows us to play a small part in helping protect vulnerable road users and support the communities we serve," she said.