OLD JOE’S STATUE

Since 1927 Old Joe has been keeping watch from his position alongside the Schoemanskloof road between Machadodorp and Nelspruit. The story behind this old character (that changed clothes occasionally through the years) is an interesting and unique one. During 1927 the first road between Machadodorp and Nelspruit was built, under the supervision of Johannes Antorie Barabas (Joe). While busy constructing the road at Patatanek, some of the labourers discovered a rock with an interesting shape, of a man with a big belly. The labourers then decided to name the rock after Joe and to place it next to the road as reminder of the good spirit in which the road was built. Joe is most probably the only South African road constructor for whom a monument was erected. During the upgrading of the road in 1999 / 2000, Joe was removed from his site to prevent it from possible damage during construction. In 2001, Joe was returned to his place alongside the road, only this time by TRAC.