The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited’s flagship project in the North West province is on course to be completed in time.

The project is a major upgrade to the R24, which entailed developing a 12km dual carriageway from Magaliesberg Mountain to the Marikana Road at Buiten Street. The improvements are almost complete and SANRAL expects the road to be open to motorists in July.

The upgrade is intended to reduce heavy congestion during peak hours and create improved accessibility to the N4, Rustenburg’s industrial areas and Waterfall Mall, as well as being a conduit to further development on vacant land.

Valued at R194.9-million, the project is part of the 1500km of North West provincial roads that were incorporated into the SANRAL national road network.

Small businesses benefit

The project is already creating jobs and business opportunities for communities in the region.

SANRAL is committed to creating equitable access for small contractors, particularly black-owned companies, to access opportunities through procurement.

Hennie Kotze, SANRAL’s Senior Project Engineer, said: “As part of the contract, SANRAL required the main contractors to allocate 12% of the value of work to targeted enterprises and 6% to the employment of local labour – a move which has contributed to job creation and skills development in the area.”

Makulu Construction is one of 13 small businesses that have been subcontracted on the project.

“Makulu received a R10m allocation for civil works. This included installing subsoil drains and constructing drain inlet boxes, head and wing walls, kerbs, brick wall and paving,” explained Kotze.

The company’s directors, Jimmy Ntuli and Johan Jansen van Vuuren, boast a combined eight years’ experience and have been at the helm of the company since it began operations in April 2013.

Ntuli is pleased the company was subcontracted by WBHO (the main contractor) on the project.

“The R24 Rustenburg project is important for the area, as it will help traffic flow and prevent serious traffic incidents,” said Ntuli.

Locals enjoy employment

The project also provided work for local people. Makulu’s R24 project office, for instance, has 40 employees. Eighty percent (32) are contract-based employees sourced from communities in close proximity to the project.

“Employees also received training to safely operate the grinder, walk behind concrete cutter, handheld concrete cutter and concrete breaker,” Ntuli said.

With its head office in Pretoria, Makulu operates countrywide and in neighbouring countries and specialises in civil, drilling and blasting works.

The company employs 24 permanent office and management personnel. It is recognised by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) as a Grade 3CE PE contractor.