This week we showcase our second scenario and the difference it makes to #JustW8
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) believes that if you pause to think about the consequences of your actions, you would choose the better option.
The roads agency has compiled short videos that educate about everyday driving practices and how when you #JustW8 the outcome can be changed.
This week we feature scenario 2, that involves texting and driving.
Scenario 2
The scene starts with an aerial view of an intersection and a young man in the car with their mom.
His mom receives a text and simultaneously reaches for her phone.
As she grabs her phone to read the text, her son grabs it from her and throws it to the back seat, while smiling at her sarcastically.
While the act of taking her mom’s phone and throwing it to the backseat is playful, it is more of a protective and responsible act of a passenger.
His mom looks at him and smiles realizing how responsible he is.
His act is testament to the #JustW8 campaign. His mom didn’t really have to read the text immediately.
The programme promotes engineering as a career among high school learners who have the potential to study engineering at a tertiary level.
The winning team, from left, Likhaya Ntshiza (Molly Blackburn High School), Vicarlia Edinberry (Sanctor High School) and Samkelo Ngobese (Daniel Pienaar High School) were crowned the winners of the iGEMs bridge building competition hosted at the SANRAL Technical Excellence Academy Laboratory in Struandale, Port Elizabeth. They were joined by, Tronél Candiotes-Strydom from SMEC (from left, standing), Michelle Ah Shene from SANRAL and Laurene Booth-Jones from Unity in Africa Foundation.
More than 30 academically-deserving Grade 11 and 12 learners from disadvantaged and socio-economic vulnerable backgrounds got a glimpse of the civil engineering industrywhen they designed and built model bridges as part of the iGEMS holiday programme.
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL), together with SMEC South Africa, Labco and Unity in Africa Foundation collaborated in hosting the fifth annual iGEMS bridge building competition, where learners from 16 high schools were taught the skills required to plan and build a bridge.
The competition was held at the SANRAL’s Technical Excellence Academy Laboratory in early July.
Unity in Africa Foundation run a programme called incubating Great Engineering Minds (iGEMS).
The programme promotes engineering as a career among high school learners who have the potential to study engineering at a tertiary level.
Bridge building
The bridge building competition was one of a series of workshops, site visits and projects held during the July school holiday for the iGEMS learners.
The holiday programme is part of Phase one in a four-stage ‘education to employment’ programme, which incubates incumbents for about seven years until they graduate.
Based on the format and rules on the South African Institution of Civil Engineering’s (SAICE) bridge building competition, learners had to design and then build model bridges using only wooden sticks, rope and glue in a limited time frame following functional specifications and construction methods.
The bridges were judged on aesthetics, weight and structural strength. Strength testing was done using suspended weights that literally stretched the bridges to breaking point in an ultimate showdown between the 10 teams.
Samkelo Ngobese, a 17-year–old, grade 11 learner from Daniel Pienaar High School, said he is very passionate about engineering and wants to pursue a career in the civil engineering industry.
He said: “I want to study and pursue a career in civil because of the love I have for building infrastructures and safer roads for motorists.”
Ngobese’s favourite subjects at school are mathematics, which he obtained 70% and 78% in physical science and a level 5 in Civil Technology during this June exams.
“After doing a lot of research, I found that my favourite subjects are core subjects needed for civil engineering,” he said.
Vicarlia Edinberry, a 16-year–old, grade 11 learner at Sanctor High, experienced surprising qualities about herself during the iGEMS bridge building competition.
“Knowing how to work well with other members of the team was one of the surprising qualities. The competition taught me how to use my listening skills and consider other members’ opinions, and that is why we were able to work as a team and develop good communication skills,” Edinberry said.
She further added that civil engineering is interesting in such a way that it enables one to give back to the community and encourages one to do the best to their ability.
Likhaya Ntshiza, a 16-year–old, grade 11 Molly Blackburn High School learner, said the biggest highlight of the competition was working with his teammates who were focused on building their bridge and who knew how to share different ideas effectively with one another for the bridge to be a success.
“My team members and I had unique skills on how to build the bridge and everyone shared creative yet relevant ideas for the bridge” he said.
Ntshiza believes that with the relevant equipment and active team members, he can build a model bridge in future.
Investing in the future
“Investing in these high school learners is an investment in our country. Engineering is a scarce skill in the country. If we do not invest in the youth throughout their high school and university studies, we face the risk of not having engineers building and maintaining South Africa’s national road network,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region Manager.
Peterson added that programmes initiated by SANRAL to address education and skills development, include among other, awarding of bursaries and scholarships to deserving students all over the country to further their studies.
In 2018, 41 scholarship and 16 bursary recipients were from the Eastern Cape. The low figure of bursary recipients in 2018 can be attributed to the fact that there was no institution offering a BSc & BEng in Civil Engineering qualification in the province.
In 2019, an additional four Eastern Cape students received a bursary. Going forward, the number of bursary recipients in the province is likely to increase now that Nelson Mandela University offer a BEng Tech in Civil Engineering degree qualification.
Other projects SANRAL Southern Region supports is the Science, Technology, Engineering and Related Management/Mathematics (STEM) Fields Pipeline Project in Port Elizabeth, hosted by the Nelson Mandela Bay University (NMU) which help high school learners improve their understanding of maths and science.
SANRAL’s Technical Excellence Academy (TEA) provides engineering candidates with the much-needed training to qualify for registration, which means they are likely to achieve the training outcomes required by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) sooner than candidates not in a similarly enabling environment.
SANRAL took ownership of the R67 from Grahamstown to Queenstown after it was declared a national road in 2012.
Thirty (30) SMMEs worked on the project and a total of 369 jobs were created.
Periodic maintenance on the R67 between Fort Beaufort and Seymour in the Eastern Cape is improving road safety for pedestrians and motorists.
The 14-month road maintenance project by the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL), valued at R151-million, which commenced last year, is helping to create safer travel experiences for motorists.
This road connects the towns of Fort Beaufort and Seymour and is a vital link between Fort Beaufort and Queenstown.
Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region Manager, said: “The installation of guard rails in the high fills as well as the construction of the Baddafort intersection has helped to improve the safety of the road. The stretch of the road was also fenced to prevent animals from crossing the road. This has made a significant change and has helped reduce the number of accidents on the road.”
SANRAL took ownership of the R67, from Grahamstown to Queenstown, after it was declared a national road in 2012. As part of its mandate, SANRAL is responsible for maintaining this important road.
The average daily traffic on this road ranges from between approximately 600 and 700 vehicles per day in both the North and South directions, while the average percentage of heavy vehicles using this road is around 12.8%.
This means that approximately 89 trucks use the road in each direction every day.
SMMEs benefit
Thirty (30) SMMEs worked on the project and a total of 369 jobs were created.
“This was regarded as one of the most important road development projects in the area over the last three years since it created job opportunities for 369 people from the local communities,” Peterson said.
Nomfundo Maneli, a Seymour resident and worker at Zubra Cleaning Services and General Training said her role in the project was to erect fencing.
She worked on the project for two months and during that period she had hoped to increase her CIDB rating to Level Two.
“We received training on safety and security before we started with the project, and the training taught me things that I thought I would never know,” Maneli said.
Lwando Solani, who lives in Seymour and is a construction worker at Solenzo Trading and Projects CC, worked on this project for three months.
Before working on the project, he received one-week training on the installation of guard rails.
“Since the maintenance I am happy to say that the road is now safe for pedestrians and motorists to use,” Solani said. After completing the project Solani’s CIDB Level 2 increased to CIDB Level 3.
Nolady Booi, the managing director at Azakhiwe Trading Enterprise and resident of Seymour, was responsible for stone pitching.
“We did the stone pitching in such a way that no water can come through,” Booi said. She worked on the project for two months thereafter her CIDB Level increased to Level 2.
Project scope
Texture slurry from km 0.2 to km 40.8, both left-and-right-hand side.
Scattered asphalt patching along the length of road up to km 40.8
Rut filling on certain sections for ruts measured to be more than 20mm.
Milling the last 1.2 km 180mm asphalt and base stockpiled to be re-used and 150 mm to insitu carted to spoil. The subbase was replaced by recycled stockpiled material. Imported G2 Base with a cape seal black top.
Identified Targeted Enterprise works included: fencing, stone pitch, subsoil drains, concrete lined drains, gabions, concrete edge beams, kerbing and paving, bus bay platforms and construction of guardrails.
Re-Sealing 40.8km of the road where 23km was a triple seal and the rest double.
Training and development
Target Enterprises (TEs) or Small Medium Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) who participated on this project had to be registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).
They were given tender training, which was specific to their respective packages such as construction of stone pitching, installation of guard rails, erection of fencing and gabions.
This training included a five-day intervention on Tendering for Construction Contracts and two extra days were provided for SMMEs that required additional assistance.
“As a requirement for this project, it was important that tenderers were familiar with the specification that relates to the transformation of the construction industry and adhered to the policies of Reconstruction and Development programmes and other similar Government initiatives,” Peterson said.
The Target Enterprise Management Team provided guidance and mentoring to the prospective tenders and an accredited training service provider was organised to provide the necessary training.
SAQA accredited competency certificates and attendance certificates were awarded to the SMMEs.
Practical training was also organised for Targeted Enterprises (TEs). This included a two-day theory training and three-day practical skills training.
The training was for fencing, guardrails, gabion and stone pitching. All participants of the trainings attended that were deemed competent received SAQA accredited certificates.
TRAC prides itself on offering quality road infrastructure and therefore continuously works on improving and maintaining the N4 Toll Route.
Trans African Concessions (TRAC) thanks road users for their patience and understanding during this time.
Road users will be delighted to hear that the rehabilitation of Schoemanskloof between Crossroads and the Mashishing Intersection is complete and Stop/Gos have come to an end.
The R80-million project ensured the pavement on the 15,7km stretch of Schoemanskloof has been rehabilitated to improve driveability.
It also benefited local communities as the contractor – Tau Pele Construction – subcontracted portions of the initiative to locals.
Numerous local labourers were also temporarily employed for the project.
During the 10 months of roadworks, Stop/Gos had to be implemented. Trans African Concessions (TRAC) thanks road users for their patience and understanding during this time.
TRAC prides itself on offering quality road infrastructure and therefore continuously works on improving and maintaining the N4 Toll Route to ensure that it’s on par with world standards, for the benefit and safety of our road users.
Our new road safety campaign asks you to #JustW8 before you make certain decisions while driving.
#JustW8 until you are not mobile to put on your make-up.
Each year, nearly 1.2 million people die and millions more are injured and disabled as a result of road crashes.
South Africa has one of the worst road safety records with over 40 people dying daily on our roads and a further 20 being left permanently disabled.
Road deaths are prevalent among pedestrians and then passengers, while young males are causes for most fatalities on the road.
With the #JustW8 campaign, SANRAL is challenging the youth to take a pause and think about the consequences of their decision making.
This road safety campaign seeks to dispel the notion among road users that they can still safely drive while breaking the most common unsafe driving practices.
These unsafe driving practices include drinking and driving; texting and driving; speeding; not wearing seat-belts; and breaking road rules.
SANRAL believes that if you pause to think about the consequences of your actions, you would choose the better option.
The roads agency has compiled short videos that educate about everyday driving practices and how when you #JustW8 the outcome can be changed.
This week we feature scenario 1.
Scenario 1
Our 1st scenario happens in the morning.
We see the highway and a car coming onto an on-ramp and stopping at the robots.
Then we see a young woman driving with 2 of her friends, one in the front seat and another friend at the back.
We don’t get to see the friend in the front seat, but we see her arm when she hands over a make-up bag to the driver.
The friend in the back seat scratches his throat and looks at his friend.
She looks to the mirror and then to the back, she rolls her eyes and hands the friend on the passenger seat back the mascara.
No dialogue.
Young flamboyant friend looks to the side and waves at the young men in the next car en route to school with his mum.
With the decision to #JustW8 and not put her make-up on, the day went smoothly.
TRAC encourages road users to take responsibility for their own safety, by applying anti-crime safety tips.
TRAC encourages road users to take responsibility for their own safety.
Hijackings and armed robberies are still priority crimes on South African roads.
With the safety and well-being of the N4 Toll Route’s road users a priority for Trans African Concessions (TRAC), members of the public are urged to take precautions against becoming victims of these crimes.
TRAC encourages road users to take responsibility for their own safety, by applying the following anti-crime safety tips when travelling on our route:
Plan your trip and let someone know the expected time of your arrival.
Avoid driving with your windows open and keep the doors locked. Keep valuables out of sight.
Avoid distractions while driving, such as using a cell phone.
Always check the rear-view mirror to see if you are being followed. If you suspect you are being followed, drive to your nearest police station or a busy public area.
Never stop on the highway, even near toll plazas. Stationary vehicles are extremely vulnerable to criminal elements.
Do not stop on the side of the road for a toilet break.
Be vigilant when drawing money at ATMs. Do not accept help from strangers.
Pay your toll fees at the toll plazas only. Ignore anyone who approaches you and indicates they are accepting toll fees on behalf of TRAC.
Do not stop for suspicious law enforcement vehicles. Should you be tailed by a law enforcement vehicle, it is permissible for you as a driver to opt to stop at a public area, such as a filling or police station.
If you need to stop due to an emergency, try to do so only at designated facilities such as filling or police stations.
Be vigilant against opportunistic criminal elements that may create a breakdown situation to force you to stop on the side of the road and attack you.
Ensure your car is in good working condition. A well-maintained car is less likely to break down and leave you vulnerable.
Should your vehicle have mechanical or maintenance problems, especially at night, avoid getting out of the vehicle to inspect it. Call or text TRAC’s 24-hour Helpdesk immediately on 0800 87 22 64/082 881 4444 for prompt roadside assistance. When contacting the Helpdesk, you will be required to give your name, contact information, vehicle type, registration number and your exact location (use the nearest Blue Marker board located every 200 metres on the side of the N4 Toll Route).
Do not give anyone a lift, under any circumstances.
The N2/N3 upgrade project will have enormous economic spin-offs for KwaZulu-Natal during construction.
SANRAL wants to share business and job opportunities and has also made a concerted effort to ensure that youth, women, the disabled and other designated groups benefit from its projects.
Thousands of entrepreneurs and job-seekers have attended stakeholder events hosted by the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) to share information on business and job opportunities available on the R30-billion N2/N3 upgrade project.
Stakeholder consultative engagements have been held in Pietermaritzburg, Hammarsdale and Durban for small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) about contract opportunities, how to register with the Construction Industry Development Board and processes to follow when tendering.
SMMEs also had access to an exhibition area where they could get information from 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.
The Upgrades
The N2/N3 upgrades will have enormous economic spin-offs for KwaZulu-Natal during construction.
The N2/N3 Corridor is one of South Africa’s key infrastructure development projects and its role in facilitating the movement of goods and people to the country’s economic hubs cannot be downplayed.
Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL Regional Manager in the Eastern Region, said: “The strategic intent of SANRAL is to help develop and grow black-owned small to medium-sized construction, engineering and related industry businesses.
“It is estimated that a project of the magnitude of the N2/N3 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.
“SANRAL wants to share business and job opportunities and has also made a concerted effort to ensure that youth, women, the disabled and other designated groups benefit from its projects.”
The upgrade of the N2 will focus on a 55kmstretch 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.
These upgrades will include the widening of the N2 and N3 carriageways, with four to five lanes in each direction, and the reconfiguration of most major interchanges along these route sections.
Due to the length and estimated cost of the entire N2 and N3 upgrades, the corridor will be split into several detailed design and construction packages.
The upgrading is expected to take between five to eight years to complete, depending on funding availability.
Strategic corridor
Ravi Ronny, SANRAL Eastern Region Design, Planning and Construction Manager, said: “The N2/N3 upgrade is a strategic corridor that has the highest volume of traffic anywhere on the KwaZulu-Natal and Free State national roads network.
“SANRAL has considered the current capacity and the future for expansion of the Durban port. Hence, the N2/N3 upgrades will cater for increased traffic volumes, especially heavy vehicles.”
Mxolisi Kaunda, the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison in KZN said there was a need for all parties to work together for South Africa to grow as a united country.
“We are extremely pleased that SANRAL is investing billions of rands in KZN to upgrade road infrastructure, which will not only facilitate economic growth but will also enhance road safety.
“Over and above this, business and job opportunities will be created for SMMEs and ordinary citizens,” Kaunda said.
Driving economic growth
Ismail Essa, SANRAL’s Transformation Manager, said SANRAL recognises the contribution it makes in building a capable and developmental state and driving economic growth through the provision and maintenance of critical infrastructure.
This commitment, he said, is spelled out clearly in the agency’s transformation strategy and its long-term strategy vision, Horizon 2030.
“SANRAL’s transformation policy sets clearly defined targets for the participation of black contractors, professionals and suppliers in all of its projects.
“The transformation of the construction industry is long overdue and to respond to this, SANRAL undertakes to develop SMMEs and to introduce project liaison committees (PLCs) on its major projects,” Essa said.
On capital projects SANRAL will only do business with companies that are at least 51% black-owned and with a minimum B-BEE Level 2 rating.
To give small contractors access to earthmoving machinery to allow them to participate more meaningfully in major construction projects, SANRAL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with construction machinery company Bell Equipment.
Themba Mhambi, SANRAL Board Chairperson, said South Africa faced economic challenges which could only be addressed under a leadership “that is visionary and dreams big”.
“SANRAL has convened these information-sharing sessions to create a platform for KZN communities to voice their concerns and comments on job creation, tendering and skills development.
“SANRAL will make sure that revenue from these billion-rand projects provides business opportunities to local SMMEs.”
Access to equipment
Ryan Britain, Regional General Manager at Bell Equipment, said: “Access to sophisticated and more advanced equipment used in construction has been identified as one of the biggest hurdles that faces emerging contractors.
“Emerging contractors often do not have the capital to buy the machinery used for excavations, ground moving and the grading of roads.
“SANRAL’s MOU with Bell Equipment will attract new entrants into the construction and engineering sectors, particularly black contractors, who will in turn grow their business and create jobs.
“The cooperation between SANRAL and Bell Equipment is also expected to help to promote fair competition in the construction and engineering sectors.”
Pinetown resident Dumisani Mkhize, who is a director of Zasembo Construction & Trading, does civil work and said he welcomed the useful information about the numerous job opportunities that will be available, as well as being able to meet some of the SANRAL project managers.
Durban’s Sne Mwelase, who is the only bread winner in her family, was extremely grateful for the information session and the fact that SANRAL was offering SMMEs the opportunity to sub-contract with bigger companies.
“We also had the opportunity to engage with some of SANRAL’s MOU partners at the exhibition stands and obtain valuable information about accessing finance for equipment,” said Mwelase.
Durban resident, Nhlonipho Mbatha, who is currently unemployed, said the SMME workshop provided an opening for much-needed jobs.
“I am eager to hear about the plans for the N2 and N3 upgrades as many jobs will be available,” said Mbatha.
Nompumelelo Nzuza, who owns Gabayithini Construction Pty Ltd and supplies food to many local schools in KZN, said the workshop gave SMMEs access to many job opportunities and to gain knowledge about the various training programmes offered to grow your business.
With a passion for learning and a calm demeanor, Joyce Pitso is rising the career ladder at the road agencywith grace.
Joyce Pitso describes her greatest attribute as her calm demeanor in an often-volatile environment.
One step at a time, Joyce Pitso has climbed the ramp to career success and is a shining example of what sheer grit and determination can do for professional advancement.
In 2001, Pitso joined the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) as a receptionist at the Eastern Region offices in Pietermaritzburg. Today she is the Regional Finance and Administration Manager.
When she began working at SANRAL, she was not satisfied with her job and yearned for a better position.
SANRAL management saw her potential at an early stage and within a year she was promoted as an assistant Registry Documentalist.
Her National Diploma in Management from the Durban University of Technology stood her in good stead.
After two years of working in the registry environment and attaining a wealth of knowledge of SANRAL procedures and protocols, Pitso embarked on a B Comm degree through the University of South Africa.
A passion for learning
In the interim, and keen to learn as much as she could, Pitso helped the Finance Department, which was then short-staffed, with numerous financial functions whilst still performing her normal Registry duties.
The aplomb with which she conducted herself in performing these functions did not go unnoticed.
After two years at Registry and when a vacancy arose in the Finance Department, Pitso was a successful and deserving recruitment.
She held the position of Financial Controller for 15 years, during which time she also successfully attained her Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Since she was versatile in performing the various financial and administrative functions, Pitso acted as Regional Finance and Administration Manager on several occasions until she was permanently appointed in this role.
The mother of two boys, who enjoys cooking as a hobby, was born in Pietermaritzburg where she attended primary and high school.
She describes her greatest attribute as her calm demeanour in an often-volatile environment where she must work with technical staff not well versed in the vagaries of the financial requirements in terms of the Public Finance Management Act and IFRS® Standards.
Pitso urged young people to acquire as much education as possible if they hoped to land a lucrative career.
“Education is the key to success and if you have an opportunity, please grab it with both hands and move with it,” she said.
Asked what she found most rewarding about her work, she said it was the realisation that together with her colleagues she was contributing to the development of the national road network “which is of vital importance to our economy and citizens of South Africa”.
Training and development were provided for 135 SMMEs along with 185 NGOs from Thembisile Hani municipality, making the lives of people better. SANRAL warned informal shopkeepers not to encroach into the Moloto Road. It is illegal and dangerous.
More than a thousand people attended a ministerial imbizo near Lusikisiki in April on progress at the Mtentu and Msikaba bridges on the N2 Wild Coast Road. SMMEs who worked on three community development projects upgraded their CIDB levels.
