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New horizon set for SANRAL’s long-term growth

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SANRAL CEO - Skhumbuzo Macozoma

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.

For more on Horizon 2030, go to: http://www.stop-over.co.za/horizon-2030/?Session_ID=383419ea21da1840086fa31af3a34bae

Work starts on Kimberley roundabouts

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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.

A bridge stitched

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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.

Moloto Rd project update

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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.

Botlokwa bridge unites

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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.

President Zuma urges Botlokwa community to protect infrastructure

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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.

Sanral kicks off consultation on transformation

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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.

N2 upgrade between Grahamstown and Fish River Pass underway

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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.

National roads “an exception”

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The primary road network, controlled by SANRAL is graded B, meaning it is “fit for the future”.

The report by the South African Institution of Civil Engineers (SAICE) on the status of public infrastructure in the country is a cause for concern.

It paints a bleak picture of the general level of infrastructure maintenance and contains a warning: there is a danger of collapse.

There are exceptions and national roads are one of these. These include heavy-haul freight lines, the Gautrain rail lines and airports under the control of the Airports Company of South Africa.

The primary road network, controlled by the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) is graded B, meaning it is “fit for the future”, or to give the full SAICE-description: “Infrastructure is in good condition and properly maintained. It satisfies current demands and is sufficiently robust to deal with minor incidents.”

Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s communications manager, said: “The SAICE-report correctly identifies the state of our national road network – and points to possible stresses.”

The report underlines SANRAL’s retention of its high level of professional engineering expertise, its maintenance of its road network to a high standard. However, the national roads did not achieve an A- grading because of the incorporation of provincial roads which are in poor condition.

Mona said it does point out the need for adequate dedicated funding.

The vast majority of SANRAL’s funding comes from the National Treasury. Tolling on some 13% of the roads, partly as a result of public-private partnerships, looks after the rest.

Mona said: “The fact is simply that as SANRAL has taken on provincial roads, this has not been accompanied by a sufficient increase in funding. The allocated and expected funding from the national fiscus means SANRAL cannot take on more than another 3 000km of provincial roads, as highlighted in our recent long-term strategy – Horizon 2030. The expected increase of the network by another 15 000km to 35 000km has therefore been mooted.

“We are happy with the SAICE-grading but very aware of the fact that the national road network is the artery of the country’s economy, which needs constant upgrading, expansion and maintenance – which underlines the SAICE point that adequate dedicated funding is a necessity.”

Pioneering change in construction

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SANRAL has introduced a contractual clause that requires big companies to partner with small companies when bidding for construction projects.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) is trying to level the field in the construction industry one clause at a time.

One of the biggest challenges facing emerging companies in the construction industry is competing with established companies for big projects.

In trying to level the playing fields, SANRAL has introduced a contractual clause that requires big companies to partner with small companies when bidding for construction projects.

This is part of the agency’s vision of empowering small businesses and affording them an opportunity to grow and contribute to infrastructure development.

Joint venture condition: A first of its kind

The joint venture condition was first introduced when two contracts to rehabilitate sections of the R573 Moloto Road were awarded.

The job required big contractors to bid with smaller companies in a joint venture.

According to Nontobeko Mathenjwa and Lawrence Chauke, SANRAL project managers on the Moloto Road, this is the first of its kind and took a lot of planning and consultation to get approval from SANRAL.

“This is a SANRAL initiative. We had no reference or prior experience of implementing this model. It was really exciting to practically develop words and phrases to incorporate into our procurement documentation. I’m glad that it’s working and opening up the industry to small businesses,” said Mathenjwa and Chauke.

In the Limpopo section of the project, a contract was awarded to two partners, KPMM and Chauke Business Enterprise (CBE). On the Mpumalanga section a contract was awarded to a joint venture among four companies: Raubex Construction, Themolo Business Enterprise, Khuluphala Tradings and Biz Afrika.

Big business agrees

Although it was business unusual for big companies, they agree that it’s a great initiative.

“We are happy to take on emerging companies, but they have to play ball and make use of such opportunities. That means no compromise on quality and reliability, so it’s important to attract the partners for the [joint venture],” said Kevin Padayachee, operational director for KPMM.

Emerging companies equally agree that through the joint ventures, they are being empowered and they have become more professional.

Adam Chauke, owner and managing member of CBE, said: “It’s not easy to form partnerships with big companies and sometimes they don’t like to empower us – for fear of competition. But thanks to SANRAL, the likes of KPMM are now required to approach us for partnerships. It’s truly remarkable because it opens up the industry and affords us the opportunity to grow.”

From the experienced gained on the project, the SMMEs will be able to grow their grading at the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and compete for bigger contracts in the future.

SANRAL will continue to support this initiative and introduce it for all other projects going forward.