Construction of the new bridge across the Mtentu Gorge on the Wild Coast will start in November, an initiative that will contribute to economic growth along South Africa’s eastern seaboard.
The N2 Wild Coast Road is being constructed as a national priority to improve the mobility of communities in the Eastern Cape and facilitate the movement of people, goods and services. The road, which includes two mega-bridges at the Mtentu and Msikaba gorges, is a national priority and is one of the 18 Strategic Integrated Projects designed to support economic development and improve service delivery in poorer provinces.
SANRAL awarded the tender for the 1.1km bridge to the Aveng Strabag Joint Venture. When completed the bridge will be one of the longest main span balanced cantilever bridges in the world.
Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s communication manager, says the Wild Coast Road “will be a growth engine for the Eastern Cape, both during, and post, construction.” It will cut down on travel time between Durban and East London, improve the safe movement of freight and connect communities that have been marginalised through apartheid planning to government services and commercial activities.
“The route will bring significant social and economic benefits to the area and act as a catalyst for local and regional development,” says Mona.
The N2WC road project will be a major job creator in an area with a very high unemployment rate. More than R400 million will be allocated to wages for unskilled and semi-skilled workers employed directly on the project and a further R1.5 billion will go towards local enterprises, contractors and suppliers of goods and services.
SANRAL’s R120-million community development and SMME training programme is providing local labour and local SMMEs with the necessary skills to optimally participate in the N2 Wild Coast Road project, says Mona.
Transformation in the construction industry has been taken major steps forward with the launch of SANRAL’s new guidelines to advance the broad participation of black-owned contractors and suppliers.
The new transformation strategy was highlighted by Transport Minister, Joe Maswanganyi, at a function in Rosebank, Johannesburg attended by representatives from the construction and engineering industries, the public sector and the media.
Minister Maswanganyi called for the accelerated transformation of the transport sector and to ensure the youth and women are actively involved in job creation and entrepreneurship development.
Skhumbuzo Macozoma, CEO of SANRAL, said it is committed to go beyond the minimum requirements for transformation set by existing legislation and the regulatory framework. SANRAL will, in future, use its procurement and supply chain processes to speed up transformation and break down monopolies.
“We play a critical role in the construction and engineering sectors and are keenly aware of the impact that our supply chain processes have on economic transformation, job creation and the lives of millions of people across South Africa,” says Macozoma.
The detailed strategy sets clearly defined targets for the participation of black contractors, professionals and suppliers in all projects commissioned by SANRAL.
The transformation policy was approved by the SANRAL board and will now be canvassed with stakeholders, including national and provincial government, the engineering and construction sectors, organised labour and existing suppliers.
Future contracts will set requirements for the utilisation of labour sourced from local communities and favour the procurement of locally-developed technology, materials and equipment.
The policy covers the entire spectrum of SANRAL’s procurement processes and throughout its business value chain. It proposes the following:
On capital projects SANRAL will only do business with companies that are at least 51% black-owned and with a minimum B-BBEE Level 2 rating
A maximum number of 15 tenders per year will be issued to a single company and contractors will be required to make use of SANRAL-approved sub-contractors
Similar provisions will be applicable to road maintenance projects and special attention will be given to the procurement of material from black suppliers
Concessions to manage and operate toll roads will only be awarded to companies with a 51% black ownership
The transformation policy will apply to all sub-contractors in the fields of real estate development, information communication and technology, finance and audit and professional services.
“We accept the responsibility to use our procurement and supply chain processes to transform the construction industry,” says Macozoma. “We are confident that it will be a catalyst for a much-broader-based participation of black-owned companies in the sectors.”
SANRAL’s new long-term strategy – Horizon 2030 – is a pro-active response to deliver on its vision as a national transport system that delivers a better South Africa for all.
Speaking at the launch of the strategy in Rosebank, Johannesburg on 29 September, the CEO, Skhumbuzo Macozoma, said it presents a new vision, mission and strategy to guide the organisation over the next stage of its growth. Horizon 2030 recognises the contribution a state-owned entity can make to build a capable and developmental state and drive economic development through the provision and maintenance of critical infrastructure.
Macozoma noted that the South African primary road network has grown in size from 6 500km when SANRAL was established in 1998 to the current 22 000km. The road infrastructure contributes to mobility, supports economic growth and provides access to opportunities for people across the country.
The future challenge is to manage the road network and ensure that it remains a catalyst for economic growth. In SANRAL’s third decade it will focus on long-term visioning, a review of network growth and concerted steps to deal with fair access to opportunities and the redress of past imbalances.
He said SANRAL’s success will be dependent on its ability to influence public perceptions and conversations about road infrastructure and streamline its internal processes to meet a number of challenges, such as:
its ability to maintain clean corporate governance and deliver an excellent service to stakeholders
ensuring roads receive an adequate share of public funding combined with a model that facilitates private financing of infrastructure
maximising the number of jobs created on SANRAL projects, especially for black women and youth
aligning SANRAL’s strategic planning with that of its stakeholders
contributing to road safety through the provision of safe roads and programmes that encourage safe behaviour among road users.
SANRAL will, in the coming months, conduct an extensive process of consultation with stakeholders in all nine provinces on the content of both Horizon 2030 and the new Transformation Policy. It will also establish a strategic implementation committee to monitor progress within SANRAL.
The launch function was attended by stakeholders and guests from government departments, provinces, the construction and engineering sectors and members of the SANRAL board. The Minister of Transport, Mr Joe Maswanganyi, delivered the key-note address. Other speakers included SANRAL board members, Ms Daphne Mashile-Nkosi and Mr Chris Hlabisa and the Acting Director General of Transport, Mr Mathabatha Mokonyama.
The road network in and around Kimberley in the Northern Cape will undergo substantial upgrades after a decision by the National Treasury to approve R496m for the refurbishment of storm water systems in the Sol Plaatje municipality. This follows closely on SANRAL’s decision to upgrade three intersections outside Kimberley – a project which will create more than 100 job opportunities. Agreements between SANRAL and the main contractors on the road construction emphasises the requirement that training will be provided to all the people recruited to work on the project.
Construction history was made on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast when Africa’s longest incrementally launched bridge was joined. The one kilometre long bridge at the Mt Edgecombe Interchange on the N2 forms part of major road construction undertaken by SANRAL to accommodate the growing volumes of traffic in the uMhlanga area north of Durban.
Emerging construction companies are already drawing the benefits from SANRAL’s transformation policy through their participation in the Moloto Road project. Work on the long-awaited road upgrade that cuts through three provinces – Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo – has commenced and contracts to big companies are awarded on the condition that they enter into joint ventures with local and black-owned businesses.
A community in Limpopo, divided by a busy highway, was reunited by the construction of a road bridge and two pedestrian bridges. The new project on the N1 north was handed to the Batlokwa community after a major upgrade undertaken by SANRAL. Residents in the area will now be able to access services and visit friends and family in a much safer and convenient environment.
One of the pedestrian bridges on the N1 between Polokwane and Makhado.
Speaking at the official handover of three bridges in Botlokwa, President Jacob Zuma said the bridges were a tangible example of government’s commitment to deliver strategic infrastructure that will transform the economy, create jobs and stimulate opportunities for growth.
During the handover the president went on to appeal to the community, situated just outside Polokwane in Limpopo, to protect the newly constructed bridges and other infrastructure in their area.
“These new bridges have already been targeted by vandals, who damaged some of the panels that regulate the flow of storm water and stole some of the handrails,” he said.
He urged the local community to work with the South African Police Service, with local government and with agencies such as the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL), to look after and care for the bridges and other infrastructure, and to report to the authorities incidents of vandalism and theft.
Answering calls from the community
The Botlokwa bridges are made up of one road bridge and two pedestrian bridges on the N1 between Polokwane and Makhado. President Zuma said the construction of the bridges were in response to the concerns of the public and the people who live in close proximity to the N1.
“Local residents and a number of traditional councils representing the Machaka, Makgato and Ramokgopa authorities raised their concerns about safety and accessibility with local and provincial representatives.
“However, with these bridges and the reopening of a vital section of the national road, we go beyond the mere provision of transport infrastructure. This project demonstrates the fact that government responds to the needs expressed by communities and the priorities they identify,” President Zuma said.
Working together
President Zuma said the project also demonstrates how all three spheres of government, state-owned companies and traditional authorities can work together to solve issues that might place obstacles in the way of communities who want to grow and progress.
SANRAL is responsible for some 22 000 kilometres of roads, including the N1, which bisects South Africa from the Musina border post in the north, to the southernmost tip of the continent.
The N1 Botlokwa Freeway is the busiest road corridor linking South Africa to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. This includes countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
President Zuma said: “One of the priorities that will receive dedicated attention from [South Africa and Zimbabwe] is the establishment of a one-stop border post at Beitbridge, a step that will inevitably raise awareness about the N1 as a strategic regional artery.”
Travels made easy
The opening of the bridges has brought some relief to the locals, as they will now be able to cross the busy N1 with ease.
Joseph Shipalane (39), a local resident, said that before the construction of the bridges, crossing the N1 was a nightmare. Children were the hardest hit he added. “Many people were knocked down by speeding vehicles as they were trying to cross the freeway to the other side,” Shipalane said.
Another resident, Maria Rikhotso, a mother of two, said she was afraid to send her kids to the shops because she was afraid that they will be knocked down by cars.
“I thank our government for the construction of the bridges. Now I can send my children to the shops without having to fear that they will be knocked by cars,” she said.
Skhumbuzo Macozoma, SANRAL CEO, said the road agency genuinely wants to hear the views of those impacted by both their 2030 strategy and transformation policy.
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) has kicked off the consultation process for their Horizon 2030 strategy and transformation policy recently.
Delegates from the construction industry, government and industry associations met at a SANRAL organised workshop in early October. Over two half day sessions in Centurion they workshopped a draft transformation policy and long-term strategy for the industry.
SANRAL CEO, Skhumbuzo Macozoma, explained that the workshop was the first of 30 sessions that would take place across the country over eight weeks, “We genuinely want to hear the views of those impacted by both our 2030 strategy and our transformation policy.
“We must show value to all South Africans. This is what roads are meant to do – they connect people to people, to places and most importantly to opportunities. These opportunities can no longer be limited to the few.”
Macozoma stressed that the intention of these new policies was to transform the industry and create opportunities for different stakeholders. “We have a real opportunity to bring about change. This we will do. We invite you to go on this journey with us. If not, you will be left behind,” he stressed.
Those unable to attend the Horizon2030 strategy and transformation policy sessions are invited to contribute through the SANRAL web site, e-mail submissions or postal delivery.
“All comments will be considered. These documents are not final. Revised drafts will be submitted to our Board for approval and from there to the Minister of Transport who will then table these before cabinet,” Macozoma explained.
Full details of dates, times and venues for all sessions can be found on SANRAL‘s web site.
The second phase of the N2 project is set to last 24 months and should reach completion in mid-2019.
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited’s upgrades to the N2 between Grahamstown and the Fish River Pass are progressing well as the second phase of the R980-million road infrastructure upgrade project continues.
SANRAL’s six- to seven-year project, which has been divided into three phases, forms part of a long-term strategy to improve the quality of the roads between Port Elizabeth and King William’s Town.
Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region manager, said: “This upgrade includes various geometric improvements over a mountainous terrain. It will improve safety and offer safe overtaking opportunities. Once completed, the new road will also ensure travel-time savings for vehicle operators.”
The first phase of the project, which was valued at R980-million, commenced in April 2015 and was completed in May 2017.
“During this phase, an environmental study of the Oldenburgia Grandis – a plant endemic to the Eastern Cape and which grows on quartzite outcrops near and around Grahamstown – was also conducted. In collaboration with Rhodes University, SANRAL funded a botanical research study and transplant programme for the Oldenburgia Grandis affected by the upgrade,” said Peterson.
In addition, during the first phase, important fossil deposits dating back some 350-million-years were uncovered. These fossils will contribute to scientific research for years to come.
The second phase
The second phase of the upgrade project began in June 2017. This phase, valued at R283-million, is located in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality.
Work currently underway on this section of the upgrade includes the establishment of a hard rock quarry, crushing facilities for materials, mass earthworks, the construction of new pavement layers, resurfacing of the road surface and the construction of three agricultural underpasses.
“The impact of stray animals on the safety of road users in this area is a major cause of concern. The construction of three agricultural underpasses, which will allow for the safe movement of animals from one side of the N2 to the other, is therefore an important part of this phase of the project. These agricultural underpasses should help to facilitate road safety and reduce animal-related road accidents along this stretch of the N2,” Peterson said.
The second phase of the project is set to last 24 months and should reach completion in mid-2019.
Creating employment
The entire project will provide employment to 360 individuals and SANRAL has set a 27% SMME participation goal for phase two of the project.
The goal will increase for phase three. This means that approximately 120 small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) will have an opportunity to work on the project over the seven years.
“The legislated requirement is for the main contractor to outsource approximately one-third of the project to emergent small road construction firms,” said Peterson. “There were 22 SMMEs who worked on the first phase of the project and this will increase in phase two. A non-motorised transport facility, the bypass at the fish River Pass and rehabilitation work on the adjacent R67 are examples of specific works which are being carried out by SMMEs.”
SANRAL noted that an increase in traffic volumes, particularly of heavy vehicles, over the past 10 years, prompted the need for this road upgrade. Furthermore, the existing road, which was built in the 1960s, did not meet the road agency’s desired alignment and safety standards.
“The project will improve and prepare the N2 to support increasing volumes of motorists on this national road over the next 25 years. [It] will also improve safety and travel time on the national road network that provides the economic link between Port Elizabeth and East London, which also serves as the west-east link between the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal,” Peterson concluded.
