MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL to Fix R21 Sinkhole in Olifantsfontein
Gauteng, 17 July 2025– The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is ready to fix an emergency sinkhole located at Km 0.3 on section 2 of the R21 national road, northbound in Olifantsfontein. The urgent repair project, valued at R154 million, will not only fix a major road hazard but also open doors for job creation, training, and empowerment to locals.
The sinkhole has raised safety concerns for road users traveling in and out of Olifantsfontein and surrounding areas. The roads agency has appointed Terra Strata Construction as the main contractor to carry out the critical repair works for a period of 11 months. The project is currently in its mobilisation phase, sourcing SMMEs and labourers and preparing for site establishment. Construction is expected to start mid-September.
SANRAL’s Provincial Head for Gauteng province, Progress Hlahla, noted that this is the second sinkhole to be fixed in the vicinity of the Olifantsfontein interchange. “This area has dolomite rock which increases the risk of sinkhole formation. In this regard, SANRAL continues to closely monitor its roads and will act to mitigate any risks to road users. While repairs are underway, there will be some traffic disruptions, but SANRAL will endeavour to minimize the impact to motorists” said Hlahla.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement SMME information session, convened together with the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, in Kempton Park on Friday, Nontobeko Mathenjwa, who is a SANRAL Project Manager in the Gauteng province, highlighted the scope of works and opportunities that the project will bring to locals.
“The project scope includes drilling boreholes, compact grouting, and resurfacing the road after the sinkhole repairs. But what makes this project even more meaningful is the intentional inclusion of SMMEs, local labourers, community members and development of designated groups”.
“The project’s contractor participation goals are designed to empower SMMEs and support inclusive economic growth. We encourage participation from targeted enterprises with CIDB grades 1 to 4 and, there are also opportunities for unskilled labourers from the local community” said Mathenjwa.
Elaborating on the opportunities, Mathenjwa also said the project has work packages that do not require CIDB registration for wider economic inclusion. These include services such as security provision, employee transport, diesel supply, mobile toilets, accommodation of traffic, and plant hire.
“To further support development and sustainability of local businesses, training will be offered to SMMEs involved in the project, to better equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge for future opportunities in the industry. All training will include both theory and practical on-site components to ensure hands on experience” added Mathenjwa.
In addition to project specific training, community members from the affected area will have access to training opportunities for the duration of the project. Through the project, SANRAL will also create space for FET college students, in-service trainees, and candidate engineers to receive the practical experience they require to complete their studies and grow professionally.
SANRAL remains committed to safe roads, empowered communities, and a transformed construction industry.
SMMEs are encouraged to stay informed about upcoming tender opportunities by visiting the SANRAL electronic supplier desk website on www.sanralesdd.co.za.
//Ends