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Donating a wheelchair, two beds, repairs to her house, groceries and furniture is a life changing experience for 95-year-old grandma Qamngqa Ntshongweni from Lusikisiki who used to crawl 75 metres to get to her toilet.

The generous donations made by SANRAL’s main contractor Concor- Mota-Engil Joint Venture who is working on the N2WCR Msikaba project, the project engineer’s  SMEC, who facilitated the process, and some local SMMEs also involved with the Msikaba bridge contract, Nase Construction, Restsam Engineering and Gandundu are ensuring a better life for grandma Ntshongweni.

Her plight was identified and highlighted on social media by non-profit organization (NPO) Umanyano Lwabaphulaphuli Initiative.

“She crawls 75 meters to her toilet, her house has major cracks in it and the roof leaks, she also used to sleep on the floor,” said Modi Maqabaza Chief Coordinator for Umanyano Lwabaphulaphuli Initiative non-profit organization.

After being approached by the NPO, Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane then approached SANRAL to assist with donations.

“It is really important to give back to those who are in need. The contributions made by the contractor and local SMMEs have far exceeded my expectations. We are grateful to them for the donations. Their generosity and selflessness are making her life easier,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region’s Regional Manager.

While some donations have already been given to Ntshongweni others will be handed over next year, like a pathway to her toilet suitable for her wheelchair.

Meanwhile she has moved to an adjacent house where she can stay in comfort over the festive season. CMEJV, the main contractor will upgrade her rondavel next year. CMEJV also secured the wheelchair, two beds, groceries and furniture, which include all other household appliances.

“The wheelchair was donated by QuadPara Association South Africa Pinetown Durban. We donated two beds, one for her and the other for her daughter,” said Kim Malherbe secretary at CMEJV.

Other donations include: Nase construction is replacing the damaged doors of the house as well as the windows; Restsam Engineering has offered to assist with electrical work in the house; Gandundu will provide curtains and a 200 litre water storage container. Groceries and furniture including a fridge, a table and chairs are also being donated.

This festive season the N4 Toll Route is expected to be extremely busy. Trans African Concessions (TRAC) is thus conducting major preparations throughout its 570km road to prevent major traffic delays and backlogs often experienced during the end-of-year holiday period.

To accommodate the expected surge in traffic, TRAC will ensure that all N4 toll plazas are fully staffed on earmarked days and will also conduct double route patrols on specific days during the holiday period. In addition, its roadside assistance and 24-hour Helpdesk teams will be on full alert throughout this period.

Traffic on the N4 Toll Route is expected to peak on December 11, 15, 18, 23 and 24 and again on 3 January. On 11 December, double patrols will be conducted as a preventative measure against any traffic disruptions. On the other days, double route patrols and road standbys will be done.

These road standbys will see TRACAssist, in collaboration with emergency services such as the SAPS, paramedics, fire and rescue and provincial traffic, deployed to strategic points along the route – Bronkhorstspruit, Middelburg, Milly’s, Mbombela (Nelspruit), Hectorspruit, Komatipoort and Matola Weighbridge (Mozambique) – to enhance incident/accident support.

Road users should note that delays and traffic congestion are expected near and at the Lebombo and Ressano Garcia border posts in Komatipoort and therefore those travelling between South Africa and Mozmabique are urged to plan their trips accordingly.

TRAC also reminds the public that although delays at the border impact traffic flow on the N4, border clearing processes do not fall under TRAC’s jurisdiction and it therefore cannot be held liable for, or assist with, backlogs relating to this issue. TRAC has however committed to helping with certain logistical requirements that are expected to improve traffic flow during busy times.

The following border traffic management operations will also come into effect on 13 December:

PRESS RELEASE
South Africa (eastbound)
* A traffic control point at Coopersdal, where all vehicles are to come to a dead stop. Be patient and expect an approximate 30-minute delay.
* Taxis will be diverted to the old Komatipoort Airfield, which has been prepped by TRAC toaccommodate over 1 000 vehicles at a time. Clearing will be done at this facility and taxis will then be escorted to the border.
* Commercial vehicles (trucks) will be redirected onto the Coopersdal road (R582) and Strydomsblok, to be processed at KM 7.
* Busses will also be cleared at KM 7.
* Private vehicles must proceed straight on the N4, to the Lebombo Border Post. These road users are urged to stay in the left lane, after passing the BP garage, as the right lane will be reserved for trucks, convoys and official vehicles.
* To avoid unnecessary traffic on the route, vehicles en route to Komatipoort, Kruger National Park or Ngwenya Lodge are advised to use the Tenbosch turnoff.

Mozambique (westbound)
* There will be three lanes of traffic in the westbound lane and one lane in the opposite direction.
* There will be five stop areas, one next to Moamba, for observation purposes only, one compulsory stop at KM 14 and another one next to the cemetery in Ressano Garcia.
* At the remaining two locations, traffic will be split as follows: Main dispatching of travellers at KM 4 and KM 7. Organising of Police escort at KM 4.
* Each control point will be manned by the police, customs and immigration officials.
* Public transport terminal will be transferred to the Ressano Garcia Border Post.

TRAC is also pleased to announce that construction on the N4 Toll Route will be on hold during the construction sector’s annual leave period between 19 December 2020 and 05 January 2021. However, all construction areas will still be deemed active and road users are urged to be cautious and obey road signage.

The safety and wellbeing of the N4 Toll Route’s road users is TRAC’s primary concern and it urges everyone using its beautiful route this holiday season to make full use of the TRAC Helpdesk by calling or sending a WhatsApp to 0800 87 22 64 for quick, effective assistance for any problem.

TRAC further encourages road users to stay abreast of news about the route, throughout the festive season, by following it on Twitter @TRACN4route, Facebook @TRACN4 or logging onto our website www.tracn4.co.za.

With the 2020 TRACN4 Rally drawing even closer, TRAC is pleased to announce that it is ready to rally! The event – taking place on 27 and 28 November – will boast an impressive field, with the organisers confirming that 30 teams have entered.

This is the second consecutive year that TRAC is sponsoring the South African National Rally Championship series, with the event also serving as the grand finale of the 2020 championships. The Dullstroom Epilepsy Centre will serve as rally headquarters and Day 2’s service park, while the service park for Day 1 will be at the Lakenvlei Service Park.

TRAC’s sponsorship of this exciting event goes hand-in-hand with its corporate social investment (CSI) commitment to communities along the N4 Toll Route. The main beneficiary of this year’s event is the Dullstroom Epilepsy Centre, where upgrades and renovations will be done by TRAC. The centre will also benefit in other ways, including through initiatives by TRAC’s co-sponsors, such as Prepsol that has been created to raise funds for the facility.

According to TRAC CEO Alex van Niekerk it’s full steam ahead for the exciting affair, the first official event for TRAC since the start of the national lockdown and the first for him as captain of the TRAC ship. “When we were approached to again sponsor the rally we didn’t hesitate. We see it as the perfect opportunity to promote and preserve road safety and invest in local communities. Road safety is one of TRAC’s priorities and this event, which takes place just before the festive season, will enable us to further promote our message. “I have never been to a rally like this before and am amped to witness it live and in person. I am confident that I, and everyone fortunate enough to be in the area during the event, will not be disappointed with the impressive driving and top-notch competition,” he said. The organisers and participants agree, adding that they believe this will be the best rally yet!

PRESS RELEASE

More details can be obtained on the SARallying (@SARallying), TRAC (@TRACN4), Safcol (@SafcolSOC) and Dullstroom Events (@dullstroomevents) Facebook pages. In addition, both stages will be broadcast on the SARallying social media pages and RaceDay TV. Motorsport enthusiasts are reminded that due to the global coronavirus pandemic, strict protocols will be in place throughout the event. For more comprehensive information, visit our website www.tracn4.co.za or contact the race secretary via email at samrallies@mweb.co.za.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) will start new routine road maintenance and periodic maintenance projects in the Dr Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality as soon as January 2021.

SANRAL works hand in hand with the different spheres of government, contractors and other stakeholders  across South Africa to showcase existing and upcoming projects that will benefit communities that live around them. Speaking at SANRAL’s  flagship ‘Taking SANRAL to the People’ community engagement programme in Volksrust on Friday 20 November 2020, SANRAL’s stakeholder coordinator  Melba Geca said: “ SANRAL is here to engage directly with local community members, particularly, local small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) on planned road upgrades and available tender opportunities. Our objective is to ensure that local SMM’s benefit from SANRAL projects in the Dr Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality.”

The Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) Projects planned in Dr Pixley Ka Seme Municipality are scheduled to start in January 2021 and are estimated to take 36 months to complete. The scope of work on the RRMs will include general road maintenance such as potholes and road surface repairs, grass cutting, storm water drainage, fencing, and road signs. Roads that will undergo maintenance include:

• N11 from Volksrust to Msukaligwa municipal border
• R23 from Volksrust to Lekwa Municipal Border
• R35 from Amersfoort to Lekwa Municipal Border

Through its community development and RRM projects, SANRAL will identify, train and develop local labourers from small contractors to attain the relevant skills needed for the projects.

“Adequate road infrastructure is critical to the socio-economic status of local municipalities, as it impacts on the empowerment of emerging contractors, particularly its contribution to transformation within the construction industry. SANRAL is committed in enabling that local contractors are equipped with the necessary skills and given support required to complete planned projects.” said Geca.

The Dr Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Phalaborwa Vincent Malatsi, commended SANRAL for taking the time to engage directly with the local community on its  planned projects.

“SANRAL is doing a sterling job in collaborating directly with the Dr Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality and the community at large. It’s important that the community understands the policies and procedures attached to doing business with SANRAL, as this will enable them to present their businesses better and access the opportunities SANRAL has made available in our region.” said Malatsi.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has noted with great concern and rejects reports that the agency is party to causing tensions on the Wild Coast in Eastern Cape province. SANRAL is focussed on construction of the N2 Wild Coast Road as part of the national government’s Strategic Infrastructure Projects and conducts all its activities in line with the country’s laws.

SANRAL takes these allegations very seriously and wants to make clear that the roads agency has not and will never participate in illegal activities. On the contrary, SANRAL’s activities are guided by good governance and transparency. Open communication and public participation with all communities have been at the core of SANRAL’s ongoing endeavour to build the multi- billion-rand N2 Wild Coast Road.

SANRAL has held extensive engagements with the affected community stakeholders over the past few years. Recent engagements include those held on 21 September 2020 and 7 October 2020 involving officials from SANRAL and the committee established by the Amadiba Traditional Council to assist in resolving misunderstandings pertaining to the N2 Wild Coast Road by a small group of residents.

The committee comprises representatives of both the inland and coastal or Umgugundlovu traditional sub-authorities, councillors, community trusts, Amadiba Business Forum and the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC). Ms Nonhle Mbuthuma of the ACC was part of both meetings as one of the ACC representatives.

The meetings discussed, among others, how the specific route approved for construction was first identified in 1979 and was included in network planning in the 1980’s, long before minerals were discovered in Xolobeni. It was agreed with all stakeholders at the meeting that the planning of the N2 Wild Coast Road project long predated the discovery of the minerals in Xolobeni by more than a decade.

These facts are evidence that the N2 Wild Coast Road is not being built to allow easier access to the proposed Xolobeni mine. SANRAL is not involved in mining and the road is not being built to facilitate mining activities in the area.

It is also important to note that sections of the N2 Wild Coast Road have been under construction since 2011. The project entails the upgrading and construction of a 410km stretch of road from East London to the Mtamvuna River on the border of the Eastern Cape and the KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The new route will shorten the current distance by 85 kilometres in comparison to the current route, delivering a travel time saving of between one-and-a-half to three-hours for road-users once it is completed and saving the economy R1.5 billion annually.

The project is endorsed by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) as a catalyst for economic development in the region. It is a major project for the province and forms part of government’s 18 Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPS).

The overwhelming majority of local communities support the development of this crucial major infrastructure project because it holds significant socio-economic benefits for local communities, including an estimated 8,000 direct jobs envisaged for construction work, whilst operational work is anticipated to create 900 direct jobs in addition to the 16-20 000 indirect jobs that will flow from the project.

The four major construction projects underway on the N4 Toll Route are on track for completion as per their new completion dates. The projects’ timelines had to be extended earlier this year, following the interruption of work due to the coronavirus national lockdown.
The rehabilitation and/or upgrade projects underway are the rehabilitation of the concrete section between the OR Tambo and Van Dyksdrift interchanges in Middelburg, the rehabilitation and upgrade between Belfast and Machadodorp, the Karino Interchange and the rehabilitation and upgrade between Kaapmuiden and Kaalrug in the Nkomazi region.

Rehabilitation between OR Tambo and Van Dyksdrift Interchanges Roadworks commenced earlier this year and are 38% complete. The extensive project, being managed by Raubex Construction, is valued at approximately R380-million. This 19km stretch was
originally built as a concrete road in 1972 and was overlaid in 2008.

The rehabilitation and expansion project includes the removal and replacement of failed concreteslabs and overlaying the entire section. An additional seven kilometres of passing lanes will also be constructed. This project was initially scheduled for completion in November 2021 but has been rescheduled for completion in March 2022.

Belfast-Machado upgrade

The extensive upgrade between Belfast and Machadodorp is moving along effectively and is 50% complete. The R400-million project is being done under the auspices of WBHO and includes the construction of an interchange as well as the rehabilitation of 30km of Section 5B. The road in this area will also be upgraded to a four-lane carriageway. Roadworks have been rescheduled for completion in May 2022.

Karino Interchange

This Mbombela-based project, valued at R390-million, is 50% complete. Also managed by Raubex, the project will see the existing intersection transformed into a grade-separated interchange, with on- and off-ramps and a bridge that will separate cross-traffic from through-traffic and thus ease traffic flow at this extremely busy intersection.

PRESS RELEASE

Kaapmuiden to Kaalrug Upgrade

This 15.5km road construction project is being managed by Tau Pele Construction and includes the upgrading of the carriageway to four lanes and the rehabilitation of the existing road. This initiative, valued at R340-million, is 50% complete. Although it was expected to take 22 months to complete, it will now only be concluded in August 2021.

Although TRAC endeavours to prevent major traffic disruptions due to road construction, traffic flow may be affected in certain areas, at specific times, and during peak-traffic time. We therefore urge road users to visit www.tracn4.co.za for regular, real-time updates that will assist them to plan their trips accordingly.

A productive economy needs a reliable road infrastructure to connect supply chains and efficiently move goods and services. With reliable  roads, trade becomes possible, job opportunities for struggling communities and small businesses are created, reliable road infrastructure also connects those who are employed with their jobs.

As a key agency in the delivery of the country’s massive investment in economic infrastructure, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited’s (SANRAL) visits various provinces across South Africa to showcase upcoming road(s) projects that will be taking place in the targeted region and how the community and local businesses can be involved.

On Wednesday, 18th November 2020 SANRAL visited Mpumalanga to provide a platform for the residents of eMalahleni Local Municipality to interact with its Northern Region project team responsible for all national road networks that pass through the municipality. These engagements form part of SANRAL’s existing stakeholder initiative called ‘Taking SANRAL to the People’ which encourages robust conversations to take place between the roads agency and local community members.

Addressing the community and businesses at the stakeholder engagement session, SANRAL’s northern region stakeholder coordinator Melba Geca mentioned that SANRAL is committed to directly collaborating with local community stakeholders on various road development projects in the region.  “The purpose of today is to ensure that as a critical stakeholder to SANRAL you understand our business and how you would be able to interact with us and benefit from the projects that will be presented to you,” Geca outlined.

Echoing Geca’s sentiments around the purpose of the session, eMalahleni Local Municipality’s Executive Mayor Linah Malatjie emphasised the importance of creating ecosystems where roads agency like SANRAL can come to the people and share information with local business owners.

“We appreciate that SANRAL is coming to the communities of eMalahleni Local Municipality to engage in meaningful discussions regarding the upcoming projects. We want the community to understand the policies and procedures attached to doing business with SANRAL. Such understanding will enable them to present their businesses better and access the opportunities available in the SANRAL road network in our region.” noted Malatjie.

The SANRAL Northern Region project team presented several upcoming projects and were supported by the Regional Manager Mr. Progress Hlahla.

A major project that will fall under the eMalahleni Local Municipality is the Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) scheduled to take place on the national roads R573 (commonly known as Moloto Road); R555 as well as the N12. Scope of work for this RRM will include general road maintenance such as potholes and road surface repairs along the affected network of the road, grass cutting, storm water drainage, fencing, and road signs. This RRM is estimated to take 36 months.

Another planned project that was presented was the repair and resurfacing of National Route 12 (N12) section 20. SANRAL Project Manager Hannes Van Der Merwe indicated that the expected construction duration will be 15 months long. He also indicated that typical work to be done will include concrete pavement repair, pre-treatment of the existing road, traffic accommodation as well as drainage and structures improvements.

SANRAL Project Manager Madoda Mthembu highlighted the importance of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) to ensure that their businesses are compliant in order to participate in the tendering of SANRAL’s RRM work. Mthembu took the audience through the evaluation criteria which is made up of three stages that SMMEs need to go through in order to be considered for subcontracting opportunities on RRM.