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Speaking with one voice

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Our community development projects are proof positive that SANRAL goes beyond building and maintaining roads.   

SANRAL CEO, Skhumbuzo Macozoma, said by employing local community members and ensuring that local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) participate in SANRAL projects, the roads agency continues to have an enormous impact on the transformation of the construction industry.  

At SANRAL we pride ourselves in the sterling role we play in our ongoing efforts to finance, improve, manage and maintain the national road network, as obliged by our distinct mandate.  

Often referred to as “our economic arteries”, South Africa’s 22 214km national road network provides an impetus for the country’s economic activity.  

It is through our national road network that people, goods and services travel the length and breadth of this country, contributing to its economic growth and development.  

The Free State

In the Free State, we particularly recognise the role we play in the development of the construction and related industries.  

By employing local community members and ensuring that local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) participate in SANRAL projects, the roads agency continues to have an enormous impact on the transformation of the construction industry.  

Moreover, working together with provincial and local government, our involvement in key forums such as the Transport Planning Forum, allows us to participate in the coordinated planning of initiatives and speak with a single voice when it comes to addressing the province’s transport needs.  

The Free State is at the centre of SANRAL’s key infrastructure projects. Projects such as the Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 3: Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor attest to this.  

This major project will transform the province’s economic landscape by strengthening the logistics and transport corridor between the country’s main industrial hubs.  

It will also serve as a conduit between Durban’s import and export facilities and the envisaged aerotropolis around O.R. Tambo International Airport in Gauteng.  

Of course, all of this will be made possible by the N3, which transverses the Free State. 

Our major projects such as the upgrading of the N5 between Harrismith and Industriqwa, upgrading of the N6 from Rouxville to Smithfield, and upgrading of the N1 from Ventersburg to Holfontein, have not only provided job opportunities for locals, but have also provided them with life-long skills.  

Community Development

In these three projects alone, 63 SMMEs benefited and 872 locals were offered job opportunities. 

Our community development projects are proof positive that SANRAL goes beyond building and maintaining roads.  

Through our community development projects in the Free State, we continue to ensure that local people benefit.  

This means prioritizing SMMEs and employing locals to work on SANRAL projects. In each of these cases, we continue to engage communities to establish what their needs are.  

Our endeavors in the Free State do not end there.  

As part of our efforts to ensure that South African students can measure up to international standards in the mathematical world, SANRAL sponsors a Chair in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education at the University of the Free State.  

This confirms SANRAL’s commitment to the growth of young talent, particularly in subjects required for the country’s economic development. 

This is an opinion piece by Skhumbuzo Macozoma, SANRAL’s CEO. 

SANRAL puts out N2/N3 tenders worth billions

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SANRAL’s transformation policy has set clearly defined targets for the participation of black contractors, professionals and suppliers in all its projects. 

A stipulation of the contracts is that successful tenderers must be B-BBEE Level 1 to 4 and subcontract a minimum of 30% of the value of the contract to Exempt Micro Enterprises (EMEs) or Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs) that are more than 51% black-owned.  

In the next few weeks, the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL), will put out to tender the first batch of contracts worth billions of Rands for the upgrading of the N2 and N3. 

This will include the upgrading of the N2 from Kwamashu Interchange to Umdloti Interchange, the upgrading of the N3 from Cato Ridge to Dardanelles and from Dardanelles to the Lynnfield Interchange. 

A stipulation of the contracts is that successful tenderers must be B-BBEE Level 1 to 4 and subcontract a minimum of 30% of the value of the contract to Exempt Micro Enterprises (EMEs) or Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs) that are more than 51% black-owned.  

A minimum of eight percent of each of the contracts will also be required to be spent on various types of labour opportunities from targeted areas. 

The work, which is being tendered out in reasonably sized packages for sections of the freeway, will entail the construction of an additional two lanes in each direction as well as rehabilitation/reconstruction of existing pavement layers and widening of several structures. 

Scope of upgrades 

The full extent of the planned upgrades on N2 and N3 is expected to take up to eight years to complete.  

The upgrades form part of the National Government’s key Strategic Integrated Projects, SIP2: Durban-Free State-Gauteng Logistics and Industrial Corridor. 

SIP2 aims to strengthen the logistics and transport corridor between South Africa’s main industrial hubs, improve access to Durban’s export and import facilities and raise efficiency along the corridor including access to the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone. 

  • The upgrade of the N2 will focus on a 55km length, from Lovu River on the South Coast, to Umdloti on the North Coast. 
  • The N3 upgrade will focus on an 80km section from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. 

Community development and transformation 

In line with SANRAL’s Community Development policy, there are numerous community development projects or initiatives that will be implemented alongside the highway upgrade programme.  

These initiatives are to ensure SANRAL leaves behind infrastructure for communities adjacent to the national route. 

Dumisani Nkabinde, Regional Manager of SANRAL’s Eastern Region, said the agency is committed to the transformation of the engineering and construction sectors through community development projects during the N2 and N3 upgrades. 

He said: “Investment in road infrastructure upgrades provide an opportunity for generating economic growth, alleviating poverty, reducing the scourge of inequality and increasing international competitiveness. 

“Clear guidelines and structures have been put in place to ensure local communities benefit directly from the procurement of goods and services from local suppliers to giving preference to the creation of local jobs and developing small enterprises.” 

Nkabinde added that SANRAL’s transformation policy set clearly defined targets for the participation of black contractors, professionals and suppliers in all its projects. 

“Transformation of the construction industry is a long process. With this understanding SANRAL undertakes to develop SMMEs in various divisions within the construction and other related sectors. SANRAL is also strengthening its community liaison through establishing communication structures that links the projects and adjacent communities,” he said. 

Earlier this year, thousands of entrepreneurs and jobseekers attended stakeholder events hosted by SANRAL to share information on business and job opportunities available on the R30-billion N2/N3 upgrade project. 

Stakeholder consultative engagements were held in Pietermaritzburg, Hammarsdale and Durban for small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) about contract opportunities (including training and MOU partner introductions), how to register with the Construction Industry Development Board, requirements to participate in SMME opportunities and processes to follow when tendering. 

SANRAL boost for local towns

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Treasury has allocated about R21.5-billion per year for the maintenance and improvement of SANRAL’s 19 262km non-toll network. 

The R573 in Mpumalanga.

Municipalities in Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo are significant beneficiaries of the R40-billion two-to-three-year nationwide construction programme announced recently by the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL). 

The local investment will go toward the upgrading of the R573 Moloto Road, which runs from Gauteng through Mpumalanga to Limpopo and is part of a R3-billion rehabilitation programme for the road. 

Some R315-million will be spent in the Thembisile Hani municipality in Mpumalanga and will create more than 900 direct jobs.  

The major thrust of the programme will be to upgrade gravel access roads to surface roads and improve drainage. 

Progress Hlahla, SANRAL’s Northern Region manager, said: “One such project will benefit communities in the Ephraim Mogale local municipality in Limpopo where the gravel road from Tshikanoshi to Malebitsa will upgraded to an asphalt surfaced road.” 

Rustenburg in the North West will see local investment of R180-million that will create more than 500 direct jobs and will result in the building of the Dr Moroka Level Crossing bridge to ease traffic flows as well as increase road and pedestrian safety.  

“These projects are in addition to our unremitting routine road maintenance programme that ensures the road assets we have are taken care of,” said Hlahla. 

Treasury has allocated about R21.5-billion per year for the maintenance and improvement of SANRAL’s 19 262km non-toll network.  

This will go towards a total of 940 projects spread across the country. 

The SANRAL network forms the backbone of the country’s transport system. The country depends heavily on road transport for the movement of 94% of all people and 87% of all goods.  

The national road network serves as a catalyst for balanced economic growth, business confidence, investment and the transformation of society. 

Transformation 

A growing share of contracts will be allocated to black-owned construction companies and enterprises owned by women, the youth and the disabled.  

In its long-term vision, Horizon 2030, SANRAL committed itself to the transformation of the construction and engineering sectors through the allocation of tenders to new entrants in these sectors. 

Hlahla said a total of 51 tenders will be issued for routine road maintenance works, creating opportunities for construction companies with CIDB grades 6, 7 and 8.  

These companies will be required to further subcontract to smaller SMMEs to ensure they also benefit from this project rollout.  

For conventional design and construction projects, SANRAL will issue approximately 37 tenders for consultants and 27 for contractors in this financial year. 

Over the past six months SANRAL has brokered memorandums of understanding between emerging companies and major suppliers of construction equipment and machinery.  

These partnerships give black-owned companies greater access to financing, expertise and the sophisticated equipment required to tender for larger contracts. 

Work on Polokwane ring road resumes

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The project should be completed by November 2020 and its success will increase safety and improve the flow of traffic towards the Polokwane CBD. 

Over the December holiday period, special teams will be on standby to carry out road maintenance activities such as pothole patching, road markings, cleaning storm water debris and fixing signs.

Work on SANRAL’s Polokwane ring road project will resume this September. The roads agency has appointed Edwin Construction (Pty) Ltd to continue construction of the road. 

The original contract was awarded to Basil Read in August 2015 with work continuing well until June 2018 when the contractor began to experience cash flow challenges, which led to the commencement of a business rescue process. 

SANRAL’s Northern Region Manager, Progress Hlahla, said Edwin Construction will continue the original contract and has not been appointed on a new one.  

“In April 2019, the SANRAL board approved the appointment of the contractor to continue the work. This is allowed under the terms of the contract if both parties agree. SANRAL, Basil Read and the insurers, Credit Guarantee Insurance Corporation of Africa Limited (CGIC), have agreed the contract will be ceded from Basil Read to Edwin Construction. CGIC will issue a new 10% Performance Bond and are assisting SANRAL to cover and off-set some of the additional administrative and CPA costs.” 

What the contract entails 

At a contract value of R226.5-million excluding VAT and provision for CPA, the remaining construction work to be carried out by Edwin Construction includes the completion of the new road, widening and strengthening of the old carriageway which will become the new south bound carriageway, completion of the new intersections at the R37 (Lydenburg) and P977 (Silikon) road crossings, bridge structures, culverts, road markings, studs, signage, fencing and drainage.  

The contractor will also be responsible for cleaning up and finishing off the road reserve, quarries and borrow pits. 

“It is our hope this project will reach completion by November 2020. Its success will increase safety and improve the flow of traffic towards the Polokwane CBD,” said Hlahla. 

Hlahla also said the road will remain safe throughout the upcoming festive season. 

He concluded: “While our routine road maintenance team has been ensuring safety on the route since Basil Read suspended operations in June 2018, Edwin Construction will be responsible for traffic safety along the entire contract length.  

“A qualified and experienced Traffic Safety Officer will be appointed, whose sole responsibility will be to look after road safety issues daily. Over the December holiday period, special teams will be on standby to carry out road maintenance activities such as pothole patching, road markings, cleaning storm water debris and fixing signs.” 

Huguenot Tunnel upgrades underway

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While it may appear to the average traveler that nothing has changed, much of the current work is done behind the scenes. 

The work has already begun, but in the interest of minimal inconvenience to the road user work that is able to be completed under live traffic conditions has been prioritised. 

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) met with stakeholders earlier this year to present the operational requirements and time schedule of the Huguenot Tunnel upgrades and how this would impact the road user. 

After 31 years of continuous and safe operation, the electrical and mechanical systems have neared their end of life limits and need replacement to ensure compliance to international safety standards. 

The work has already begun, but in the interest of minimal inconvenience to the road user work that is able to be completed under live traffic conditions has been prioritised. 

The following work has already been completed: 

  • 11Kv line replacement between the tunnel and Main Control Centre (MCC); 
  • Installation of back-up generator at MCC; 
  • North-bore water main replacement; 
  • Replacement of MCC fire detection and suppression system. 

“This bodes well for our overall progress and we are committed to doing as much of the work as possible under live traffic conditions. In this way, the impact to the road user is little to none,” said Randall Cable, SANRAL Western Region Manager. 

The team is currently busy with the following processes, some of which are nearly complete: 

  • South-bore water main replacement; 
  • MCC water main replacement; 
  • MCC building redecoration and upgrade of ablution facilities; 
  • Replacement of VMS signs on the approaches and in the tunnel; 
  • Replacement of all electronic signage in the tunnel; 
  • Installation of Tetra Emergency radio system in the tunnel. 

The old Du Toit’s Kloof Pass, the R101, which will act as the primary alternate route during the week–day and night–time Huguenot Tunnel closures will also receive a facelift with the installation of additional road signs to better indicate passing opportunities as well as LED road studs along the entire centre line of the pass.  

This work will commence shortly and will be completed before the end of the year to aid night–time travellers using the pass.

While it may appear to the average traveller that nothing has changed, much of the current work is done behind the scenes. As soon as current operations are complete, the next stage will include the following, some of which will have to occur during the planned closure: 

  • Replacement of tunnel FM radio re-broadcast system; 
  • Upgrade of tunnel PA system; 
  • 6.6/ 11 kV Switchgear upgrade/replacement; 
  • Replacement of tunnel fire detection system. While this will be started under live traffic conditions, some of it will only be completed during the scheduled closure. 

Originally, the off-peak maintenance closures were scheduled to commence in late September 2019, but are now scheduled to commence in middle January 2020.   

The off-peak closures are to allow for the completion of the remaining works, which will not be possible under live traffic conditions and will last approximately four months.  

The times of closure remain as previously communicated, which will mean the tunnel will be closed to traffic from 10pm to 6am, Monday to Thursday.  

This is when traffic volumes through the tunnel are at their lowest. The tunnel will be fully open weekdays from 6am until 10pm as well as 24 hours a day from Friday to Sunday for all road users.  

Motorists are reminded of the alternative routes, which include Paarl–DuToit’s Kloof Pass–Worcester (±62km), Paarl–Gouda–Tulbagh–Worcester (±121km) or Wellington–Tulbagh–Ceres (±74km) Depending on origin and destination, the N2 Grabouw to Villiersdorp (41km) is also an option. 

“Where unforeseen changes to the schedule are necessitated, we will communicate these as soon as possible to ensure road users are fully informed of the work being carried out and the effects this may have on traffic flow,” concluded Cable. 

Inspiration and insights at the Western Region induction

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From first year to final year students alike, inductees were impressed by the magnitude and extent of SANRAL’s footprint on the national network and how this touch lives daily.   

Learners laughing during SANRAL Western Region’s bursary and scholarship induction.

The Western Region’s bursary and scholarship induction event was held at the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) Regional Office in Bellville recently, during which 30 students and learners gathered to get a taste of SANRAL’s work and vision for the next generation of civil engineers.  

Once the ice was broken, courtesy of some awkward speed dating, it was down to business.  

From first year to final year students alike, the inductees were impressed by the magnitude and extent of SANRAL’s footprint on the national network and how this touches lives daily.  

Randall Cable, Western Region Manager, touched on the use of technology and the potential this unlocks in road construction and beyond.  

After lunch, Kayelihle Molefe and Nthokozo Sikhosana, final year civil engineering students at the University of Cape Town (UCT), captivated the audience with their inspirational stories.  

These two can only be described as “besties”. They hail from Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal and after a bromance in high school, they went their separate ways.  

Their academic rollercoasters finally brought them back together at university.  

Molefe’s journey took him to the University of Pretoria to pursue a degree in actuarial science, which was short lived and was then followed by a stint at the University of the Western Cape, where he dabbled in dentistry. With near perfect teeth, he soon discovered that this was not his thing either. 

Sikhosana attended Stellenbosch University for his first year, which also did not work out, and the two soon ended up back home in Newcastle.  

After re-grouping, the duo decided on civil engineering as a career and, with no funds available, started the process of bursary applications.  

As fate would have it, they had their interviews a day apart and clearly made a massive impression on the panel, as they both walked off with full bursaries to pursue civil engineering at UCT. The rest is history.  

When one was ready to give up, the other was there to encourage him. Together they tackled and overcame every exam.  

Today, they are more excited than anxious to complete that final exam later this year and venture into the field as engineering cadets.  

Road safety starts with awareness

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Special attention has been given to programmes that combine elements of law enforcement and technology with education and/or awareness campaigns.   

SANRAL is inviting registered non-governmental organisations in the fields of adult road safety education to submit suggestions that can contribute to the development of an adult road safety education programme.  

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) is mobilising the support of communities, grassroots organisations, academics and the private sector to develop a comprehensive education and awareness programme on road safety. 

Elna Fourie, SANRAL’s Road Safety and Awareness Manager, said: “The aim is to influence attitudes through road safety education and encourage safe behaviour on our roads, especially among adults who may have developed dangerous habits over the years.”  

A comprehensive desktop study was recently completed and SANRAL has also drawn from the best practices introduced by other countries.  

Special attention has been given to programmes that combine elements of law enforcement and technology with education and/or awareness campaigns.  

The study highlights that such an adult education programme should have a multipronged approach capable of reaching a variety of road users across different generations and communities while catering for all levels of knowledge and understanding of road use.  

These insights will now be developed into a uniquely South African adult road safety education plan, which, through consultations within the field of road safety and based on a scientific study of current road user behaviour, will be able to meet the requirements of local conditions using a structured, multi–pronged approach.  

SANRAL is inviting registered non-governmental organisations in the fields of adult road safety education to submit suggestions that can contribute to the development of an adult road safety education programme.  

“Road safety is one of SANRAL’s pillars,” said Fourie. “We are committed to forming partnerships with all sectors of society to ensure we come up with workable solutions to promote greater safety on our country’s roads.” 

Scam alert: increase in internet fraud attempts

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SANRAL has warned that special care should be taken when dealing with any company which purports to deal with or claims to represent the roads agency in some way. 

Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s General Manager: Communications said people should please verify any given information like telephone numbers, email, addresses, etc. by phoning or going online..

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) would like to warn you on the increase in the number of scams purporting to request quotations on behalf of SANRAL. 

These involve companies creating the impression that they have a SANRAL tender – when they do not – to procure and deliver specified products. 

The latest is one from a company named Breece Allessio Technology. 

SANRAL has warned that special care should be taken when dealing with any company which purports to deal with or claims to represent SANRAL in some way. 

Vusi Mona, General Manager: Communications at SANRAL, said: “There are tell-tale signs that the public can look for to establish whether they are dealing with SANRAL or not. For instance, SANRAL will never use a Gmail account or a .NET account for official business. 

“Please verify any given information like telephone numbers, email, addresses, etc. by phoning or going online. The agency’s internet domain is www.nra.co.za ”  

Note that SANRAL does not charge any fee for tenders or quotations. 

The public must contact SANRAL directly to verify any requests purporting to be from SANRAL where payment is requested. The number is 012 844 8000 

N2/N3 freeway upgrade estimated to create 15000 jobs

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The upgrades consider the strategic nature of the corridor and the fact that it boasts the highest volume of traffic anywhere in KwaZulu-Natal and Free State. 

It is SANRAL’s intention to use this as an opportunity to develop and grow black-owned SMMEs in the construction, engineering and related industries.

For the next five to eight years, the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) will be undertaking a large-scale upgrade of the N2/ N3 Corridor in a project valued at R30-billion.  

Determined that this project should have positive economic spin-offs for smaller businesses, it is being split into several detailed design and construction packages.  

This opens tremendous potential for small-, medium- and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) to secure a piece of the pie.  

Taking SANRAL to the people 

In June, SANRAL got close and personal with thousands of entrepreneurs and job seekers during stakeholder consultative engagements in Pietermaritzburg, Hammarsdale and Durban, sharing information about business and job opportunities and providing information about potential contracts.  

Discussions delved into the process for registering with the Construction Industry Development Board and how to submit a tender.  

SMMEs also had access to an exhibition area where they could engage with the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors, the National African Federation for the Building Industry, Ithala Business Finance and construction industry equipment companies such as Bell Equipment, Barloworld, Wirtgen and Pilot Crushtec.  

Economic spin-offs 

As one of South Africa’s key infrastructure development projects, the N2/N3 freeway upgrades will have enormous economic spin-offs for KwaZulu-Natal during the construction phase and it is SANRAL’s intention to use this as an opportunity to develop and grow black-owned SMMEs in the construction, engineering and related industries. 

Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL Regional Manager in the Eastern Region, said: “It is estimated that a project of the magnitude of the N2/ N3 freeway upgrades will create approximately 15 000 job opportunities in KwaZulu-Natal. It is also envisaged that SMMEs will benefit enormously, allowing them to grow their businesses and create jobs.”  

Ravi Ronny, SANRAL Eastern Region Design, Planning & Construction Manager, said the upgrades consider the strategic nature of the corridor and the fact that it boasts the highest volume of traffic anywhere in KwaZulu-Natal and Free State. 

Furthermore, it is equally important that SANRAL adopts a strategic approach in its efforts to build a capable and developmental state, and drive economic growth through the provision and maintenance of critical infrastructure.  

“SANRAL’s transformation policy sets clearly defined targets for the participation of black contractors, professionals and suppliers in all of its projects,” said Ismail Essa, SANRAL’s Transformation Manager.  

On capital projects, SANRAL will in future only do business with companies that are at least 51% black-owned. 

Transformation in road construction gathers momentum

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SANRAL has adopted a transformation policy following a process of extensive consultation with industry stakeholders in all nine provinces.   

Ismail Essa, SANRAL’s Transformation Manager, said, the roads agency has positioned itself as a catalyst to link top-tier companies involved in the manufacturing and deployment of advanced earth-moving and construction equipment with emerging contractors who do not have the resources to purchase such expensive machinery.  

Away from the public spotlight a quiet evolution is taking place in the South African road construction and engineering sectors.  

Large and established businesses are joining forces with emerging black–owned enterprises to enable them to become primary contractors and participate on an equal footing for future projects.  

SANRAL has positioned itself as a catalyst to link top-tier companies involved in the manufacturing and deployment of advanced earth-moving and construction equipment with emerging contractors who do not have the resources to purchase such expensive machinery.  

The construction of national and provincial roads that can carry large volumes of traffic over extended distances requires specialised skills and experience.  

The primary contractors who bid for SANRAL projects must, therefore, have the requisite capacity, skills and track record based on similar projects.  

While critical for safety and know how, these high standards and technical requirements have become barriers of entry to new contractors – especially black-owned and women-owned enterprises – who, for historical reasons, have not been able to gain the requisite experience and qualifications.  

It is also challenging for new entrants to break into this close circle of construction companies, which receives the dominant share of tenders for major road construction or rehabilitation projects.  

Aware that this status quo cannot be allowed to continue, SANRAL has undertaken several initiatives to help accelerate the transformation of the road construction and engineering sectors.  

Vision 

Our strategic vision – Horizon 2030 – is designed to position SANRAL as a modern and progressive roads management agency responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the country’s single biggest public asset.  

To drive an inclusive transformation agenda SANRAL has adopted a transformation policy following a process of extensive consultation with industry stakeholders in all nine provinces.  

At the core of the policy is the recognition that SANRAL plays a critical role in the construction industry – a sector that has a notable impact on the lives of millions of South Africans.  

SANRAL, therefore, has a responsibility to adjust its procurement policy to maximise the participation of black contractors, suppliers and professionals.  

Similarly, SANRAL is committed to breaking down monopolies in supply chains that span the fields of materials, equipment and technologies, and ensuring the broad-based participation of all South Africans.  

Over the past six months SANRAL has turned these words into action by signing agreements with global and local leaders in the road construction and equipment industries.  

Changing the landscape 

Deals have been struck with Barloworld, Pilot Crushtec, Wirtgen and Bell Equipment to facilitate access to construction machinery for emerging companies.  

An agreement of a different kind was signed in February, easing the way for emerging entities into the construction industry. The National African Federated Building Industry (NAFBI) and will provide mentorship, guidance and coaching to emerging contractors. 

Through these agreements SANRAL is working to overcome some of the biggest hurdles holding back medium-sized contractors from growing and bidding for tenders on major construction projects.  

All too often these contractors do not have the capital to purchase the major machinery required for excavations, ground moving and the construction of roads.  

The cooperation between SANRAL and the existing equipment giants will accelerate fair competition in the construction and engineering sectors.  

Black-owned contractors will now obtain access to finance, leasing and rental options, as well as training and maintenance services.  

This move also demonstrates a willingness on the part of major players in the construction sector to think beyond the confines of traditional wisdom and recognise the opportunities for business growth that will open with the entrance of new participants. 

This sends a clear signal that there are South African companies willing to facilitate the transformation of the broader construction industry rather than merely waiting for new government tenders to fall into their laps.  

The pioneering documents signed with South Africa’s top equipment manufacturers will be followed by similar agreements within the broader construction sector, with banks and development finance institutions.  

Through this we will ensure that the quiet evolution gathers the necessary momentum to spread the economic benefits of road construction and maintenance to a much wider section of the South African population. 

This is an opinion piece by, Ismail Essa, the Transformation Manager at SANRAL.