Page 27 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 10 2025
P. 27

ESTATE NEWS
                                                                                             THE BIG PICTURE
                                                                                                      ESTATE MATTERS
                                                                                                       LIFESTYLE
                                                                  How one driving

                                                                  instructor turns stress


                                                                  into skill


                                                                  calm,” he smiles. “That calmness is what keeps them alive.”
                                                                  RELEARNING WHAT SCHOOLS FORGOT
                                                                  He still believes driver’s education should be part of the school
                                                                  curriculum again. “It used to be a subject,” he says. “It gave kids
                                                                  something practical, something empowering. If every Grade 11
                                                                  student left school with a learner’s licence and road sense, we’d
                                                                  be saving lives.”

                                                                  He’s even explored partnering with local schools to integrate
                                                                  basic driver-safety theory as an extracurricular module. “A licence
                                                                  opens doors,” he adds. “For many young people, it’s the first real
                                                                  qualification they get.”
                                                                  A PERSONAL INVESTMENT
                                                                  Parents describe Christiaan as calm, reliable, and genuinely
                                                                  invested. He phones every student before their test, checks in
                                                                  afterwards, and celebrates each pass like family news. “It’s the
                                                                  biggest investment in a person’s life,” he says. “Not just financially
                                                                  — emotionally. You’re teaching independence.”

                                                                  Nicola Killops, whose own son is neurodiverse, believes that’s why
                                                                  his approach resonates. “He understands the human side,” she
                                                                  says. “He’s not just ticking boxes; he’s teaching calm, confidence,
                                                                  and courage — all the things that make someone road-ready.”
                                                                  THE ROAD AHEAD
                                                                  Between traffic circles, estate rules, and contradictory signage,
                                                                  Gauteng’s roads can frustrate even experienced drivers. Yet, as
                                                                  Christiaan sees it, every learner who drives away with calm hands
                                                                  on the wheel is a small victory.
                                                                  “Patience, trust, fun — that’s the formula,” he says. “You can’t rush
                                                                  confidence. But once it clicks, you’ll never forget the feeling.”
 THE  ROAD  TO  CONFIDENCE  first rule in my car is that we enjoy ourselves,” he says. “If we’re calm,   CHRISTIAAN’S DRIVING SCHOOL:
        you’ll pass. You can’t learn anything when you’re scared.”
        That empathy is personal. His own son is neurodiverse — living with ADHD
        and dyslexia — and many of his learners face similar challenges. “I’ve got   PARENTS, WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!
        students who’ve been told they can’t concentrate or sit still,” he says.
        “When they get in the car, I make it fun. I break the K53 down into small,   Learner’s Licence Support
        real steps. You have to build belief before technique.”
        To him, driving is not a punishment or performance; it’s an act of trust.   •  We handle everything: from your online booking to test
        “Learning to drive shouldn’t be about fear,” he says. “It’s about giving   confirmation and test-day transport.
        someone the confidence to exist on the road.”                   •   Guidance through every step until you pass your learner’s.
        THE LICENCE MAZE                                            Driving Lessons
        Anyone who’s been through the process knows how unpredictable it can   •  Package deals available for full training and test support.
        be — vanished bookings, contradictory instructions, and learners failing   •  We collect and drop off students for every lesson.
        by a single mark. Christiaan’s seen it all.
                                                                        •   We handle your driver’s test booking, confirmation, and test-
        “I’ve had top students — future doctors, advocates — fail their learners   day assistance.
        with one point,” he says. “It doesn’t make sense, but once you know the
        system, you know how to work with it instead of against it.”  Parents — Relax!

        His long-standing relationships with testing officials help smooth the way.
        “When you’ve built credibility, things move faster and with less stress.   No queues. No heart attacks. No
        That’s what parents are paying for — the peace of mind that it’s handled.”
        LEARNING WITH LIFE IN MIND                                  admin. We do it all for you!
        For Christiaan, teaching driving goes far beyond passing a test. “I’m   Operating hours:
        teaching life skills,” he says. “South African roads are unpredictable.   Monday to Sunday • 06:00–20:00
        You can’t learn from a manual what to do when a taxi cuts you off or a   Including public holidays
        pedestrian steps out. You have to build instinct.”
        Once students are confident, he takes them onto highways — always   Areas: All over Johannesburg
        in controlled conditions. “When they’ve felt 120 km/h safely, 60 feels   WhatsApp: 082 439 3077 / 066 055 9696 / 071 183 3882  25
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