The SANRAL app is part of the agency’s shift to provide its customers with a personalised experience.
The SANRAL app is part of the agency’s shift to provide its customers with a personalised experience as it lets users set up their preferences for customised content at the start.
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) has a new app that enables commuters’ access to check and top-up the balances on their electronic toll accounts in real time.
Vusi Mona, Communications Manager at SANRAL, said this app helps to make travelling on the SANRAL road network easier and more comfortable and adds value to our account holders.
“It shows that SANRAL is not going with the flow. It is ahead of the flow,” he said. The app, named SANRAL, can be downloaded for free on all Android and IOS devices.
“It is all about convenience for motorists and contributing to safer and enjoyable journeys,” said Mona.
In addition to checking out the status of the user’s toll account it adds information about weather conditions, traffic congestion and incidents on the road ahead to enhance a traveler’s journey.
The SANRAL app is part of the agency’s shift to provide its customers with a personalised experience as it lets users set up their preferences for customised content at the start.
More is on the way as new applications are added. Soon the app will enable users to pay for petrol, renew licence disks or even pay for parking.
“Let the SANRAL app take care of the boring stuff while you enjoy the ride,” said Mona.
SANRAL’s transformation policy and projects for the AmatholeDistrict have been presented to the people of the region.
Amathole District Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Nomfusi Nxawe, addresses the stakeholders at SANRAL’s engagement session held in Ndabakazi outside Butterworth in the Eastern Cape.
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) engaged stakeholders in the Amathole District Municipalities on the current and upcoming projects in the area and highlighted the roads agency’s mission to transform the construction industry to be more inclusive.
The roads agency has over 160 projects lined up in various parts of the Eastern Cape province for the next three financial years (18/19, 19/20 & 2021).
Some are in the planning phase, some in the design stage and some in the construction stage.
The local, provincial and national spheres of government; business fraternity; Traditional Leaders and taxi operators and owners; emerging contractors and other key stakeholders that are affected by SANRAL projects, were provided a status update on more than 20 current and upcoming projects in Amathole District.
These comprise projects in construction, routine road maintenance, projects in the design phase and projects in the planning phase.
Taking SANRAL to the people of Amathole
The meeting was SANRAL’s flagship stakeholder engagement programme, Taking SANRAL to the People, held in Ndabakazi village outside Butterworth and around 180 stakeholders attended.
This also included a visit to Ndabankulu Senior Secondary School in Ndabakazi to announce that SANRAL made a commitment to donate computers to the school next year.
SANRAL promoted its road safety awareness campaign at a check-up point at the Ndabakazi junction, in partnership with traffic officials.
Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region Communications and Stakeholder Coordinator, said: “The platform was also utilised to deliberate on salient issues affecting SANRAL service delivery in the area. It is also important for people to know that SANRAL is not just about building roads, we also support corporate social investment projects and provide skills training.”
Ndika explained the purpose of SANRAL’s Transformation Policy was to ensure inclusive participation of black South Africans in the opportunities generated by SANRAL’s annual spend in the construction and related industries.
The major construction projects include:
R67: Makanda (Grahamstown) to Fort Beaufort: The project is expected to be completed in May 2019. 16 SMMEs have thus far been sub-contracted and 332 job opportunities created. Labourers were employed from Fort Beaufort and Makanda. Training was provided to 360 people. R226,8-million has been spent on SMMEs thus far.
Toleni to Ibika: The project will improve road safety, ensure good quality community access roads and the ability to enter the N2 safer. The project completion date is March 2019. The project value is R160-million. Training was provided to 435 individuals (24 SMMEs). Between February and October 1057 jobs were created. R48-million has been spent on SMMEs.
Stutterheim to KM 32: The project is in the construction phase. It commenced in January 2018 and is anticipated to be completed in mid-2019. The project value is R140-million. The project is running behind schedule, owing to recent service delivery protests in Amahlathi Local Municipality. There were 25 SMMEs trained. 50% of the contract value is going to benefit the community. 32 SMMEs have been subcontracted and 175 jobs created. The project is giving an opportunity to the military veterans and people with disabilities to participate.
Some of the issues raised by SMMEs, contractors and business forum members present were around the need for more opportunities for youth skills development; that people living with disabilities must also benefit from projects; for material to be sourced from local manufacturers, and the use of local database for local projects.
The military veteran representatives also wanted the roads agency to outline its plans for them in the District. Proposals for SANRAL to develop an SMME incubator programme to assist the development of SMMEs to be able to migrate from lower grade to higher grades was also tabled at the session.
Amathole District Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Nomfusi Nxawe, said they appreciated the engagement and “witnessed that these types of engagements are what the community longs for. To stakeholders, the ball is in your court”.
Nxawe said: “SANRAL has outlined all projects planned for the district. I am glad about the Alice to Fort Beaufort project as this road has brought about many fatalities. I also want to urge all stakeholders to present a united front and not fight amongst each other, particularly emerging contactors, if you do not do so, that will be at your own peril.
“I’m also impressed with the issues that were raised on this platform today because it shows seriousness in the community of this district, particularly because you also sacrificed Black Friday specials to take part in this engagement.”
Taking SANRAL to the People takes over the Alfred Nzo District.
Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region Manager addressed stakeholders at the Taking SANRAL to the People engagement held at the Town Hall in Matatiele.
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) engaged stakeholders from the Alfred Nzo District municipalities and the neighbouring Elundini Local Municipality on the current and upcoming projects in the area.
Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region Manager, introduced SANRAL and its services to stakeholders from Alfred Nzo District municipalities and Elundini Local Municipality.
The Taking SANRAL to the People stakeholder engagement session saw over 250 people in attendance and was held at the Town Hall in Matatiele.
This is an engagement platform aimed at promoting dialogue between the road’s agency and its stakeholders, ranging from the three spheres of government, construction forums, emerging contractors, the business fraternity; public transport associations; engineers; communities to other key stakeholders that are affected by SANRAL projects.
He spoke about SANRAL’s transformation agenda and engaged stakeholders on the agency’s Transformation framework as set out in the Horizon 2030 strategy and discussed the agency’s fourteen-point plan.
Peterson said: “With this strategy, we’ve undertaken to ensure that emerging black contractors participate considerably in SANRAL projects as this was not previously the case, owing to the monopoly in the sector. We have reviewed our policies to ensure that they speak to our transformation agenda.”
He added that, to further demonstrate SANRAL’s commitment to the development of emerging contractors and communities at large, all SANRAL projects have an empowerment component.
Reflecting on the roads agency’s performance in the past few years, Peterson underscored that due to the limited funding SANRAL has been subjected to, the number of roads in good condition are on the decrease, with more roads currently in poor state.
Projects in the area
SANRAL Project Manager, George Rugodho, gave feedback to stakeholders on 14 projects being undertaken across Alfred Nzo District municipalities and the neighbouring Elundini Local Municipality, as well as upcoming projects.
These projects consist of projects in the construction phase, routine road maintenance projects and projects in the design or planning phase.
“Vandalising of fencing along project routes is a major challenge. I want to urge members of the community to guard against this and to report such should you come across it,” he highlighted.
A major ongoing project within Alfred Nzo District Municipality is the routine road maintenance project from Indwe to the Kwa-Zulu Natal border.
The project is in construction and started in 2015. The contract has been extended to conclude in 2020 and is valued at R90-million over three years.
Traffic calming measures are also due to be built around schools between Maclear and Matatiele, subsequent to a request from the local traditional council. 15 SMMEs have been subcontracted on this project and received training on work related activities, e.g. pavement repairs, installation of gabions, concrete works, Health and safety and Financial management for construction.
The budget to be spent on SMMEs is between 60% and 80% of the main contractor’s work.
Projects earmarked to start early next year include a road signs project in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality.
The project, which is expected to conclude in 2021 is valued at R40-million and the project is to be fully implemented by SMMEs and supervised by a construction manager.
Another is of line markings, valued at R40-million and will run over a two-year period. The project will include training of local SMMEs.
Responding to issues raised
Responding to some of the key issues raised by stakeholders during the session, Siphiwo Mxhosa, SANRAL Stakeholder Relations Manager gave focus to the status of the Matatiele to Qacha’s Nek road that needs upgrading.
He said: “We want to connect South Africa with other countries through roads. The Matatiele to Qacha’s Nek border (Lesotho) road is currently a provincial road. Engagements to transfer the road to SANRAL have begun. Once this process has been finalised and a budget allocated for the upgrading of this road, SANRAL will commence with the upgrades.”
Sonwabile Mngenela, Chief Whip of Matatiele Local Municipality said: “It is important that the local community must benefit from government projects as this will benefit the local economy”.
Councillor Sixolile Mehlomakhulu, Executive Mayor of Alfred Nzo District Municipality applauded SANRAL for the proactive engagement of local stakeholders.
“This engagement is the starting phase of more interactions that will unfold as we work together to ensure the development of our District, as well as that of our black emerging businesses,” he said.
The Invitation shows how we are connected to the roads we travel on.
The film shows a family’s journey to discovery. It tells one of many similar stories of our people.
A lot of our lives are spent on the road, whether it is going to the shops, picking your kids up from school, going to and from work. Imagine the stories our roads could tell us.
As far as government agencies go, expectations of what they do are kept at delivering a service.
Be it water, electricity or transport – purely utilitarian expectations. It is with this thinking that despite providing services to the broader population, with interesting constraints when it comes to resources, creativity and thinking beyond your job is often overlooked.
It is the same with SANRAL: we are often perceived as an agency that should just build roads.
Beyond roads
While that mandate remains unchanged, what has changed is the adoption of “Beyond Roads”, a slogan that carries an essential truth to what SANRAL aims to provide to society.
The nation in which we live has changed so much, few think that a couple of kilometres of asphalt could become a vehicle for change and reparation by connecting people to people, people to places and people to opportunities.
Which is why we invite you to watch our film The Invitation which shows how we are connected to the roads we travel on.
The film shows a family’s journey to discovery. It tells one of many similar stories of our people.
Tragedy befalls a family in the city when their patriarch-father and husband dies.
They then come to the realisation that for them “putting the pieces back together” includes a trip to a village that changes their lives forever.
Stories such as these have taken place on our roads since the inception of SANRAL 20 years ago. This shows how SANRAL goes ‘Beyond Roads’ and connects people and families.
For SANRAL, a road built is more than engineering done right. It is about all the lives and the legacy left for a brighter future.
With this film, take a moment to see how SANRAL’s everyday work is experienced by you.
Residents of Port Alfred and motorists travelling on the R72 between Port Alfred and Fish River, during the December holiday period are requested to please be aware of road signs, speed restrictions and other safety measures in place during this period.
Traffic lines and markings will be painted after completion of the asphalt re-surfacing. A small portion of climbing lane is outstanding from the Port Alfred Marina to the Port Alfred High School, but this should be complete before the contractor closes for the December holiday.
There will be no stop-and-go sections on the R72, between Port Alfred and Great Fish River in the Eastern Cape, from 13 December until 9 January next year, SANRAL announced.
The project, which started in March 2015 is expected to finish in May next year and comprise the major rehabilitation of the R72 Section 3 and is located between Port Alfred at Km 1.30 and the Great Fish River at Km27.50.
Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region Manager, said: “This upgrade includes the construction of two 3.7m driving lanes, with auxiliary (climbing) lanes, and a surfaced shoulder on both sides of the new road. The new geometric design of the road has made the upgraded road safer for motorists.”
A safer road
The completed work in the urban area of Port Alfred consist mostly of a new bitumen treated base resurfacing.
An asphalt wearing course layer will complete the resurfacing. The placing of the asphalt wearing course layer will start soon but will only be completed next year.
Traffic lines and markings will be painted after completion of the asphalt re-surfacing. A small portion of climbing lane is outstanding from the Port Alfred Marina to the Port Alfred High School, but this should be complete before the contractor closes for the December holiday.
Peterson said: “Work is in progress at the new Port Alfred High School entrance. The construction of the Park Avenue intersection was delayed due to an unknown waterpipe that was damaged and will resume in the New Year.”
Sidewalks, kerb storm water inlets and kerbs from Van Riebeeck Street to Main Street including sidewalks and kerbs in the section in front of the Marina should be complete before the contractor shuts down from 13 December 2018 to 09 January 2019.
Any incomplete work in the urban and rural section will be made safe and maintained by an emergency team.
Peterson said: “Work on the rural section is in progress and the right-hand carriage way is in an advanced stage of completion. Ancillary work like concrete side drains and other works are in progress. The completion of all work will be dependent on weather conditions.
“Residents of Port Alfred and motorists travelling on the R72 between Port Alfred and Fish River, during the December holiday period, are requested to please be aware of road signs, speed restrictions and other safety measures in place during this period.”
The system uses average-speed-over-distance (ASOD) technology which calculates the average speed of a vehicle, measured from the time it passes a camera, until it reaches a second camera at a fixed distance away.
The cameras are carefully calibrated, and the technology can recognise the vehicle’s number plate.
Cutting-edge technology has been installed by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) on the N1 to Limpopo in time for the busy festive season traffic.
The technology is designed to improve the safety of road users. The infrastructure include the installation of gantries, cameras and message boards to monitor speed on critical sections near the Kranskop Toll Plaza in Modimolle..
Progress Hlahla, the Regional Manager for SANRAL’s Northern Region, said these are urgent steps to improve safety, influence driver behaviour and strengthen law enforcement on a section of the freeway which has seen horrific crashes in recent months.
In September 2018 a tire burst on a truck carrying cement caused the driver to lose control and collide with four other vehicles including a 22-seater bus. The crash claimed the lives of 27 people including two young children.
Hlahla said: “We immediately responded to investigate steps we can take to make the road safer and to add infrastructure that encourages good driver behaviour.
“Speed is a major concern and we worked closely with the Limpopo provincial government and local law enforcement to find ways to identify unsafe behaviour and apprehend offenders.”
The N1 between Pretoria and the border with Zimbabwe is one of the busiest freeways in the country and traffic volumes rise sharply at the start of the December holidays and close to the festive season.
Sophisticated technology
The new measures include the installation of four gantries equipped with sophisticated camera and monitoring technology. The system uses average-speed-over-distance (ASOD) technology which calculates the average speed of a vehicle, measured from the time it passes a camera, until it reaches a second camera at a fixed distance away.
The cameras are carefully calibrated, and the technology can recognise the vehicle’s number plate.
Time-stamped pictures are taken at both locations. Should the vehicle pass by the second camera in a shorter time than what it should, given the speed limit, it indicates that the driver was speeding.
Hlahla said ASOD technology is already used with great success by SANRAL on freeways in the Western Cape where there has been a marked reduction in the crash rate.
Visible ASOD signs warn road users that they are about to enter a monitored stretch of road and carries messages that encourage safe and sensible behaviour.
ASOD is leading-edge technology which supports the global objective to cut down on road deaths through the provision of safer road infrastructure greater awareness about road safety.
SANRAL is also providing training for law enforcement officials responsible for the monitoring of the freeway.
SANRAL is contributing towards creating a safe road transport network, while extending opportunities for black-owned enterprises to participate in construction projects.
Nontobeko Mathenjwa (SANRAL), Madoda Mthembu (SANRAL), Melba Geca (SANRAL), Cllr Kenneth Mkhonto (City of Mbombela), Cllr Nkumba (City of Mbombela), Khulile Ngombane (TRAC), Wimpie Janse van Rensburg (TRAC).
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is driving the transformation of the construction industry by creating opportunities for smaller businesses and entrepreneurs.
This was the message conveyed by Madoda Mthembu, the Northern Region Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) Manager for SANRAL when he addressed leaders in local government, community members and business in Mbombela during a ‘Taking SANRAL to the People’ event.
“We want to make space for the small guy in business. We are transforming the construction industry one kilometre at a time through the greater involvement of black-owned SMMEs in road construction, maintenance, services and supply chains,” Mthembu said.
Taking SANRAL to the people of Mbombela
The gathering held at the Mbombela Stadium, focused on current and upcoming SANRAL road construction projects opportunities in the area.
A comprehensive view of the roads agency’s operations was presented, with a special focus on its Transformation Policy.
This policy sets clearly defined targets for a procurement approach which aims to commit a sizeable value of contracts to suitably qualified black-, youth- and women-owned enterprises.
During the 2017/2018 financial year, SANRAL implemented contracts worth R15.3bn nationally. SMME’s earned a total of R3.8bn through the road’s agency and over R2bn went to 1079 black-owned businesses.
“Our message is simple: we are committed to engaging, consulting and partnering with our stakeholders to ensure that there is a positive impact on everyone affected by the work that we do,” said Progress Hlahla, SANRAL Northern Regional Manager.
The Agency currently manages around 2 478 kilometres of road in Mpumalanga and has made a considerable impact on infrastructure development with various projects at different stages.
One such project is the upgrade of a section of the N4 under the concessionaire Trans African Concessions (TRAC), between Crossroads and Montrose in the Lowveld. Several other construction and rehabilitation projects are ongoing, and others are soon to commence.
SANRAL’s Stakeholder Coordinator in Mpumalanga, Melba Geca said: “For us, there is no question about the empowerment of locals. Although we are in the business of building roads, we have the mammoth task of building a better South Africa for everybody. That starts by earmarking opportunities for the small businesses and residents of communities in our jurisdiction”.
An upcoming project in the City of Mbombela is the development of the Karino Interchange, located east of Mbombela in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality.
This will entail the construction of a new interchange replacing the existing T-junction which links the road from White River to the N4 highway.
The interchange will provide a safer way for traffic to be regulated and better access to the N4 highway.
SANRAL is looking into the packaging of future projects in aid of the drive for better inclusion of exempted micro enterprises or qualifying small enterprises owned by black people, youth, women, people with disabilities living in rural areas, underdeveloped areas or townships and military veterans.
Road users urged to follows safety tips and take extra care during the festive season.
Travelling to the Zimbabwean border should be a breeze for travelers on the N1.
Travelling on the N1 freeway from Pretoria to the Zimbabwean border should be trouble free during the festive season and road users will not experience any delays caused by road works.
Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s communications manager, called on road users to follow important safety tips when they take to the country’s main roads during the festive season.
“The main message is to remember that a road is a shared space and that you should be respectful towards your fellow road users,” said Mona.
Traffic on national roads
Peak traffic on the country’s national roads may occur earlier than normal because of the days on which December and January public holidays fall.
In addition, all public schools close on December 12, a Wednesday, and open on a Tuesday, a week after January 1.
Traffic will begin to pick up in the week of school closures and traffic volumes will become heavy from Friday, 14 December – the beginning of a long weekend as Monday is a public holiday with December 16 falling on a Sunday. It is also when the building industry closes.
As Christmas falls on a Tuesday, it can be expected that traffic will start peaking on the Friday before (December 21).
The end of the holiday period is also somewhat different: New Year’s Day is on a Tuesday, as is the day public schools re-open on January 8. This may mean peak traffic on the Mondays before.
Speed limits are clearly indicated on the 22 214km of roads managed by SANRAL in all nine provinces. “These are maximum limits and drivers should adjust their speeds according to conditions such as rain or visibility.”
Road users are encouraged to take a break during long distance journeys to prevent fatigue and lack of concentration.
“Fatigue is one of the major causes of road crashes, especially when travelling over long distances – road users should #KnowYourWhoa#TakeABreakStayAwake,” said Mona.
“Road user behaviour contributes a lot to road crashes, and we appeal to motorists to respect the rules of the road and to also ensure their vehicles are roadworthy,” he said.
Motorists can visit the SANRAL website – www.nra.co.za – for help in planning their journeys.
SANRAL has made available a series of videos to help motorists plan on their journeys – what route to use, what to expect on the road and the estimated expenditure for tolls and rest spots on the route.
Motorists can also download the SANRAL App for the convenience of topping up their e-tag accounts from the comfort of their cars.
Mona said: “The app is linked to the tag inside a vehicle and enables motorists to pass through the tag-only lanes at toll plazas across the country.
“This eliminates congestion at the tag-only lanes at toll plazas and contributes to a safer and more enjoyable travel experience for road users.”
Incidents should be reported to the South African Police Services (10111) or the National Traffic Call Centre(NTCC) on 012 665 6075.
Road construction suspended for the festive season.
Roads are in good condition and no delays are to be expected.
Road users will not experience any delays as a result of road construction on the N4 freeway from Pretoria to Mozambique as it has been suspended for the duration of the festive season.
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) said that the road is in good condition, but motorists should take care, especially when they are driving during the typical highveld thunder storms.
SANRAL calls on road users to follow important safety tips when they take to the country’s main roads during the holiday period.
“The main message is to remember that a road is a shared space and that you should be respectful towards your fellow road users.”
Peak traffic on the country’s national roads may occur earlier than usual because of the days on which December and January public holidays fall.
In addition, all public schools close on December 12, a Wednesday, and open on a Tuesday, a week after January 1.
Traffic will begin to pick up in the week of school closures and traffic volumes will become heavy from Friday, 14 December – the beginning of a long weekend as Monday is a public holiday with December 16 falling on a Sunday. It is also when the building industry closes.
As Christmas falls on a Tuesday, it can be expected that traffic will start peaking on the Friday before (December 21).
The end of the holiday period is also somewhat different: New Year’s Day is on a Tuesday, as is the day public schools re-open on January 8. This may mean peak traffic on the Mondays before.
According to Vusi Mona, SANRAL Communications manager, speed limits are clearly indicated on the 22 214 km of roads managed by SANRAL in all nine provinces. These are maximum limits and drivers should adjust their speed according to conditions such as rain or visibility.
Mona said: “Speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol are some of the major causes of road crashes – road users heed the call to #KnowYourWhoa#DontDrink&Drive.
“Road user behaviour contributes a lot to road crashes, and we appeal to motorists to respect the rules of the road and to also ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.”
Travel help tools
Motorists can use a variety of SANRAL tools to help plan their travel better. They can visit the SANRAL website – www.nra.co.za – for help in planning their journeys.
SANRAL has made available a series of videos to help motorists plan on their journeys – what route to use, what to expect on the road, the estimated expenditure for tolls and rest spots on the route.
Motorists can also download the SANRAL App for the convenience of topping up their e-tag accounts from the comfort of their cars.
“The app can be downloaded for free on all Android and iOS devices and also offers users information about road conditions, traffic congestion and incidents on the road enabling motorists to plan their journeys in advance,” explained Mona.
Incidents should be reported to either the South African Police Services (10111) or the National Traffic Call Centre (NTCC) on 012 665 6075, alternatively to the TRAC Rescue team at 0800 872264 (0800 TRAC N4).
The Red Desert Nature Reserve also comprises several habitats ranging from coastal marine, grasslands, coastal forests, swamp forests, krantzes, desert and riverine to wetland.
Matt Williams, a fourth-generation member of the family that has owned the land where the Red Desert is situated for more than 100 years, said myth and legend surrounded the origin of the desert, including stories that aliens had landed on the site.
One of South Africa’s best-kept conservation secrets, the smallest desert in the world, lies 170km south of Durban.
The Red Desert gets its name from the scarlet colour of the sand and is situated on a hillside overlooking the Mtamvuna River, which divides KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape near the Wild Coast Sun casino complex.
Only 200-metres in diameter and resembling a miniature version of the Arizona Desert in the United States of America, the man-high hills and valleys of naked red soil bare stark contrast to the surrounding lush and tropical vegetation.
Artefacts
Archaeological artefacts going back millions of years can be found and the locals are pleased this is now an internationally-protected heritage site.
Matt Williams, a fourth-generation member of the family that has owned the land where the Red Desert is situated for more than 100 years, said myth and legend surrounded the origin of the desert, including stories that aliens had landed on the site.
“Truth be told, the origins of this desert are found in the location of a Zulu tribe in the 1800s, with vast cattle herds stolen from the Pondos. The terrain became severely over-grazed and subsequently eroded by wind, resulting in the desertification of the area with wind-sculpted dune formations.
“The underlying soil has very high iron content, which does not allow vegetation to thrive,” he said, adding that tools from the Stone Age once used to chop up plants and seafood have been discovered.
The Red Desert’s description was contained in navigation manuals as a sighting landmark for ships on their way up the Natal coast.
In 2005, the Williams family, which is committed to nature conservation, formed a partnership with the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, which consented to 105 hectares of municipal land being joined with the family’s 75 hectares for the purpose of creating a nature reserve.
Red Desert Nature Reserve
Negotiations then began with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and in 2015 the Red Desert Nature Reserve was established as a biodiversity stewardship nature reserve.
This would ensure the effective management of land use outside existing state-managed protected areas, including privately-owned land, to ensure that natural systems, biodiversity and the ecosystem are maintained and enhanced for present and future generations.
The area contains a significant area of “Critically Endangered” Pondoland-Natal Sandstone Coastal Sourveld found nowhere else in the country.
The Red Desert Nature Reserve also comprises several habitats ranging from coastal marine, grasslands, coastal forests, swamp forests, krantzes (sheer cliffs), desert and riverine to wetland.
At least 480 species of plants and 200 bird species have been recorded to date, with many listed as being under some degree of threat. Southern reed buck, common duiker, blue duiker and oribi have been seen.
Williams, who is chairman of the Red Desert Nature Reserve Committee, said since the nature reserve adjoins the former R61 coastal route, which is now declared as the N2, many buck, deer and bush pigs have been run over by vehicles.
Boundary
He approached the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) with a request to fence the eastern boundary of the reserve and was most grateful that the request was granted.
Ravi Ronny, SANRAL Eastern Region Design and Construction Manager, said discussions about erecting 2,7-kilometres of fencing had been ongoing since 2014.
“Given the environmental importance of the nature reserve, we agreed to erect a fence along the reserve’s boundary with the road at our cost.
“The fence will help keep animals away from the busy N2 whilst also combating trespassing and plant poaching problems,” said Ronny.
He also said this section of the R61 is being upgraded at an estimated cost of R2,5-billion and will see the improved road becoming the “new N2”.
The new fence has been erected at the revised road reserve boundary, which considers the future upgrading of the freeway.
Presently, the N2 curves inland, away from the coast, near Port Shepstone and passes Harding and Kokstad before traversing the Eastern Cape.
The upgrading of a 24km section of the newly-declared N2 from Mbizana River just south of Shelley Beach to the Mtamvuna River, will see this reconstructed road becoming the new N2.
The new N2 on the KZN side will join with the N2 Wild Coast Highway currently under construction in the Eastern Cape.
Once completed, the highway will be approximately 85km shorter than the current N2 alignment from Mthatha to Port Shepstone and will reduce travel time by about three hours.
The existing facility will be upgraded to a divided four-lane facility (two lanes per direction separated by a concrete median barrier). The upgrade will result in the majority of existing accesses being closed and the intersections being replaced by interchanges.
*** People who wish to visit the Red Desert Nature Reserve and enjoy the scenery, bird watching, archaeology, hiking, mountain biking or trail running may telephone Matt Williams on 0836319331 to book private tours. They may also visit themselves. There is no entrance fee.
