Heathcliff Thomas will bid a final farewell to the City of Cape Town later this week – just one day shy of his 60th birthday

The City of Cape Town’s Traffic Service hosted a farewell event for its outgoing Chief, Heathcliff Thomas today.

Thomas, who grew up in Silvertown, has been a Traffic Officer for 39 years – a job he pursued thanks to his admiration of traffic officers as a young man, and fueled by his television hero, Francis Poncherello of the hit series, CHIPS, about the Californian Highway Patrol.

Among his many highlights since joining the Traffic Service in 1983, was being appointed Traffic Chief of the City of Tygerberg in 1997, completing his Master’s degree, securing a part-time lecturing post the then-Peninsula Technikon (Pentech), now Cape Peninsula University of Technology in addition to his day job, and of course his ‘eye in the sky’ traffic reports featured on GoodHope FM.

Thomas is excited about the future of the City’s Traffic Service, and believes that it is in good hands.

‘I want to thank each and every staff member for helping to build this Traffic Service into one that is recognised as a leader both nationally, and internationally. Furthermore, I want to encourage them to continue striving for their dreams, and to keep the flag flying high. Remain professional at all times, but also flexible and innovative – in other words embrace technology and change. Do not be afraid to ask questions, take the risk – he who doesn’t gamble, can’t win. Remember, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from progressing to the highest levels possible in this Traffic Service.’

While he is retiring from the Traffic Service, Thomas is not planning to rest on his laurels – he is heading to Academia to ply his trade there. And, when he is not in the classroom, he’ll be spending time on the golf course with his son – despite his ‘not so healthy’ handicap.

‘We have seen immense growth and investment in our Traffic Service over the years. Our staff have also had to contend with an ever-changing landscape and new challenges in tackling road safety. The list is exhaustive, and Chief Thomas played an integral role in getting us to where we are today. And, while we reflect on his role as Chief, it is appropriate to also acknowledge where he started and his rise through the ranks. He earned his stripes, and I hope that his story is one that will inspire a new generation of traffic officers.

‘There really are no words that can adequately describe the immense contribution that the Chief has not only made to the service, but also public safety. But we will be forever grateful, and commit ourselves to building on the very solid foundation that he has laid. The City thanks Chief Thomas for his service, and wishes him well on his new journey,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Source: City Of Cape Town