I would like to pay tribute and express my deepest condolences to the members of the families, colleagues and all fans of the actress Seble Teferra, whose budding life was nabbed in a tragic traffic accident, while she was just blossoming in the world of arts. Seble, a.k.a Tirfe in the weekly sequel Betoch, was often seen playing the role of an all-time munching gourmet cook that befitted her physique and was very entertaining. Her retort in almost every dialogue included a quip that had something to do with eating.
I noticed that children enjoyed her interventions because they could hear from her what they were expecting her to utter. The sad news of her death marred our cheers of the New Year with tears.
My last article about cheers and tears carried messages of traffic accidents not because I am a fortune teller, but simply because traffic accidents along the streets of the country have become a way of life. It is really disturbing to see how even the simplest traffic rule of giving priority to pedestrians on zebra crossings is not respected, to say the least.
Drivers of all grades seem to have taken the laws and our lives into their hands. It is incomprehensible how a country with one of the lowest fleet sizes could be one of the countries with the highest incidence of traffic accidents.
The heart-breaking accident has suddenly flared up with wide coverage in the social media, so much so that it has drawn public attention to government levels. From President Mulatu Teshome (PhD) down the line of hierarchy in public office, many have taken up the traffic accident issue with the intent to create public awareness on the perilous issue, and appreciate that the momentum should continue sustainably. It should not be skin deep.
Seble’s curriculum vitae reveal that she had been given to the profession since her teenage days and had stayed long enough to pursue the trade from rags, only able to pay for her bus ticket and barely cover her costs, to the level of touring around the world and acquainting herself with her fans in many parts of the world. She had various plans up her sleeve for the coming months and years. But it was not to be. Her funeral ceremony ceremoniously took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral on the afternoon of Monday, September 14, 2015.
When it comes to tragic encounters, traffic accidents are only one face of a page. Others cannot be pushed aside. We have had experiences where some top notch officials have suddenly collapsed in the middle of conferences and sessions. We are all transient. Death is as true and inevitable as life is true.
There are multiple causes for traffic accidents which may be roughly categorised into three major topics. My references are the experiences of Brussels. Every driver has to undergo stringent skill tests and has to pass the tests in three stages within a given maximum period of 36 months. The written test, the driving ability test and the vehicle roadworthiness test. One can never be allowed to give a ride to anyone else specially children before obtaining the licence.
There are at least three types of roads – the highway or freeway, the inter-communal and labyrinth. Highways are those roads where vehicles drive at high speed and they can be crossed at junctions. Of course, the highway is full of road signs and signals as to what direction to take, where and after how many kilometres to make a detour. The highways are the most risky and scary.
The second grade roads are those that cross between lines of apartments that criss-cross requiring caution. Of course, there are light train cars or trams along the roads which can make crossings with the help of signals and road lights. And the third are the labyrinth.
Here, in Brussels, children are not allowed to walk alongside their parents if they are under age. They have to be carried by stroller or pram.
When they are belt-fastened in the stroller and rolled by their parents, this compels the road authorities to construct smooth pavements. That is not all, when they reach the age of six or more, they can ride tricycles on these pavements and side roads. The implication is that they can be acquainted with traffic lights and stop to wait until the lights for pedestrians are green. They also learn well that they have to stop at zebra crossings.
It is compulsory for any diver to slowdown his motor at zebra crossings. In case of not paying any attention to stop, the driver coming from behind calls the police to inform about the breach of law. Hardly a minute or two passes before the security officer appears and stops the offender and talks to him about his traffic offence.
If there is one thing which is nearly impossible to get in Belgium, it is obtaining a driving licence. Those who are engaged in testing do it on sudden turns and rounds so that any favour or thought of corruption can never be entertained.
Much as transporting vehicles are very useful to move from one place to another in the shortest possible time, it is essential that the traffic laws are respected 100 per cent. Any reluctance on the part of the drivers can cause death or physical damage not to mention property damage.
Seble was as young as a blossoming flower. Her life was not yet over. But like Othello’s vow “put out the light, then put out the light”, she died all of a sudden. How heart-breaking that is, when it should have been a moment of joy because of the New Year holiday. But that was not to be.
I think it is high time for all of us to stand up against tragic traffic accidents. Courtesy to artist Mogus Teka who, a long time ago, composed the now familiar jingle ‘Ashkerkir’ that every driver should heed and that everyone should be watchful. Let us just start respecting the zebra crossings, whether there are traffic police around or not.
RIP Seble Teferra!
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