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Budget has impact on SANRAL

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A reduction of R2.6bn in SANRAL’s allocation and greater clarity on the government’s position on
road tolling were some of the key features of the 2018/19 budget statement delivered by former
Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba.

The speech and the Budget Review tabled recently contained important references to SANRAL that
will have an impact on its short- and long-term future plans. Among these are:

A reduction of R2.6bn in its budget, compared with the allocations in the 2017 Medium Term
Budget. Similar cuts were also announced for the SA Revenue Service, Prasa and four water
boards.
A commitment that SANRAL will continue to deliver on plans to resurface 3 200km and
strengthen 1 475km of national roads over the medium term.
An allocation of R29.1bn for capital investment in non-toll roads, with an additional R4.3bn for
the Moloto Road and R2.1bn – from 2019 to 2021 – for the N2 Wild Coast Highway.
In the Budget statement it is noted that “the finances of SANRAL remain weak” due to
opposition to the GFIP project. “The Agency may require recapitalisation in 2018/19,” it
states.

Gigaba did not refer to tolling or e-tolls in either his speech or the media conference that preceded its
delivery in Parliament. However, the extended budget statement makes it clear that the government is
committed to the principle of road tolling.

A Cabinet committee has been set up to develop a tariff determination framework that will oversee the
setting of road tolls.

Gigaba said that the government might be required to provide financial support to several SOCs in the
coming year through the disposing of non-core assets, strategic equity partners or direct capital
investments.

SANRAL budget – all the numbers:

  • Over the medium term, SANRAL intends to focus on undertaking preventative maintenance
    to improve and preserve the national road network.
  • It plans to resurface, strengthen or improve some 4 700km of roads and build new
    interchanges and bridges.
  • Total expenditure is expected to increase at an average annual rate over the medium term –
    from R34.7bn in 2017/18 to R37.2bn in 2020/21.
  • The bulk of SANRAL’s expenditure is going towards payment of service providers for road
    maintenance or construction. This is projected to increase at an average annual rate of 30%
    over the medium term – mostly due to upgrades to the N3 Mariannhill and the N2 North and
    South Coast roads.
  • Toll revenue is expected to increase at an average rate of 5%.
  • The staff complement is expected to remain constant at 390. Spending on compensation will
    grow at an average of 10.5% – from R312m in 2017/18 to R421.5m in 2020/21.
Malusi Gigaba, Minister of Finance
Ministry of Finance of South Africa at the World Economic Forum on Africa 2017 in Durban, South Africa. Copyright by World Economic Forum / Greg Beadle

SOE’s vital to economy

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The role of state enterprises to grow the economy and transform society remains a vital priority for
South Africa, said President Cyril Ramaphosa in his first State of the Nation address.

He also addressed problem areas:

  • Governance – Government will change the way in which boards are appointed so that only
    people with expertise, experience and integrity serve in these vital positions. Board members
    will play no role in procurement and the Auditor General will strengthen external audit
    processes.
  • Coordination – work will continue on the broad architecture of the state-owned sector to
    achieve better coordination, oversight and accountability.
  • Financial constraints – many SOEs experience severe challenges which has impacted on the
    performance of the economy and placed pressure on the fiscus. Government will “intervene
    decisively” to stabilise and revitalise SOEs.
  • Funding models – some SOEs don’t have a sufficient revenue stream to fund their
    operational costs. Government will review the funding models in consultation with
    stakeholders to address structural issues.
  • Size and composition – the structure and size of the state must be “optimally suited” to meet
    the needs of the people and ensure the most efficient allocation of public resources. He will
    initiate a process to review the configuration, number and size of government departments.
  • Corruption – the President promised that 2018 will be the year “in which we will turn the tide
    of corruption in our public institutions” and pointed to recent action taken at a prominent SOE
    as “just the beginning.”

The state has learnt “some valuable lessons” from its experience in building infrastructure, which will
inform the way ahead.

Thus, it will focus strongly on:

  • improvements in budget and monitoring systems;
  • improving the integration of projects; and
  • building a broad compact on infrastructure with business and organised labour

Tough decisions will be taken to restore confidence in the South African economy and put the country
on a path of growth, employment and transformation.

At the core is a commitment to form partnerships with business, labour and civil society and to draw
deeply from experience through the appointment of advisory bodies and the convening of high level
summits.

Radical economic transformation remains the objective especially through initiatives that are
underway to empower the youth, create more black industrialists and improve the position of black
women in the country’s economy.

What will be done:

  • Ramp up the role of small business.
  • Revive the manufacturing base.
  • Convene a jobs summit.
  • Establish an advisory Youth Working Group.
  • Youth Employment Service to get interns into private sector.
  • Boost tourism.
  • Intensify focus on infrastructure.
  • Embrace advances in science, technology, innovation.
  • Attract investment – international investment conference to be held soon.
  • Bring policy certainty.
  • Stabilise vital state institutions, like SARS and the National Prosecuting Authority.
President Cyril Ramaphosa reply to the debate on the State of the Nation Address in Parliament, Cape Town. 20/02/2018 Kopano Tlape, GCIS

 

Community engagement on Ndika’s radar

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Welekazi Ndika, the recently appointed Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator, joins SANRAL’s Southern Region with the intention to help people in need.

Welekazi Ndika has a soft spot for helping other people and has spent 28 years in public service.

Welekazi Ndika, the recently appointed Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator, joins SANRAL’s Southern Region with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

“We look forward to working with Welekazi. Her duties in stakeholder engagement play a key role in supporting stakeholders and project managers to deliver a number of community engagement initiatives,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region Manager.

Her ability to communicate to relevant stakeholders about SANRAL’s programmes makes her the ideal person to build and maintain relations. Additionally, her role is to ensure the smooth implementation of infrastructure development projects in Eastern Cape.

She also leads and manages the coordination of consultation activities including community information sessions.

A heart of gold

Ndika has a soft spot for helping other people. Born in East London. Ndika has spent 28 years in public service, the first 14 of which was as a high school teacher in Mdantsane.

She has a BA degree from the University of South Africa, an honours degree in social science from Rhodes University, a master’s degree in development studies from Nelson Mandela University, a master’s degree in public administration from University of Fort Hare and she is currently studying towards her Certificate in Municipal Finance Management.

Yet, despite her many achievements, Ndika remains humble and committed to people. “I believe in staying humble and am committed to assisting needy people in whatever way I can.”

Many years spent in public service

In 2006 she joined the Office of the Premier in the Eastern Cape as the Assistant Director for Policy and Planning where she later specialised in strategy development and planning.

In 2008 she was headhunted by Eastern Cape Appropriate Technology Unit (ECATU) where she was responsible for dealing with the development of the five-year organisational strategy, implementation, as well as monitoring the performance of the organisation.

In 2010 she joined South African Local Government Association (SALGA) as the Strategic Support Manager for the Eastern Cape.

“SALGA unleashed great potential within me. It allowed me to engage with various stakeholders and represent municipalities on various inter-governmental relations platforms.

“I was involved in ensuring that SALGA continues to lobby and advocate policy issues for local government. SALGA also exposed me to governance related issues through my involvement in policy development issue discussions which took place between 39 municipalities at both a provincial and national level,” said Ndika.

Civil engineer graduates join SANRAL’s training academy

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A new crop of civil engineering graduates have joined SANRAL’s Training Excellence Academy (TEA) in Port Elizabeth.

Ivan Ellis, Training Academy mentor and professional civil engineer (centre), Theo Johannes, experienced designer of rural and urban roads and services (back, left) and newly appointed TEA mentor Ivor Burke, welcomed the newly appointed TEA candidates, from left, Siphesile Mthembu, Thapelo Ramaano, Gasan Jacobs, Nokwanda Phenyane, Morena Moloi, Shakeel Chicktay and Thando Mthembu.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) has welcomed new civil engineering recruits to its Training Excellence Academy (TEA) in Port Elizabeth.

Two of the seven candidates have already worked on-site on SANRAL projects in the Western and Northern Regions but will now spend time at the TEA honing their design skills.

The remaining five, recent university graduates, will start their training in the SANRAL materials testing laboratory. This laboratory enables SANRAL to test the properties of construction materials used in road maintenance activities as well as in the development and upgrading of Eastern Cape’s national roads.

Ivan Ellis, TEA mentor and professional civil engineer, said: “While the candidates all graduated from university, this is where they will complete their practical skills training and then be able to register as fully-fledged professionals with the Engineering Council of South Africa.

“At the TEA the candidates get the opportunity to participate in a structured training programme under the supervision of experienced professional civil engineers.”

TEA recruits

Shakeel Chicktay, originally from Cape Town, graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2015 with his BSc Engineering Civil degree.  His interest in civil engineering started when he was in high school.

Before joining the TEA, Chicktay joined SANRAL in 2016 as a candidate engineer and worked on-site as an assistant resident engineer in Malmesbury, working on the N7 road upgrade project.

“If I didn’t get the bursary, I would have had to make use of study loans to pay for my studies. The financial stability of having a bursary has allowed me to focus on my studies and not worry about getting a second job,” he said.

Morena Moloi, a former SANRAL bursary and scholarship recipient, joined SANRAL in Polokwane as a junior site engineer from February 2016 until January 2017. Thereafter he worked as an assistant resident engineer from January 2017 until January 2018 in Hendrina, Mpumalanga.

“I wanted to be a doctor at first but then I learned more about SANRAL and the work they do and what civil engineering is about,” he said.

Moloi earned the SANRAL scholarship in high school due to his academic marks.

“My matric year was my best year in high school.  Learners must learn to enjoy being at school but know that they have to find the balance between having a social life, studies and family time,” he said.

Both Chicktay and Moloi are completing their design training, after which they will receive training at SANRAL’s laboratory.

Nokwanda Phenyane is the first graduate in her family.  In 2017, she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand.

“While learning about road design at university, my lecturer showed us examples of SANRAL’s pavement designs.  I did more research on SANRAL and the work they do, and I was really amazed and knew I wanted to be a part of this company.”

“Being passionate about civil engineering motivated me to work hard at university and I encourage high school learners to pursue career paths they are passionate about,’’ she added.

The roots of TEA

SANRAL established TEA in 2014, starting with three engineering graduates who completed their civil engineering studies under a SANRAL bursary.

This number has since grown to 32 graduates including nine from the Eastern Cape Department of Transport who have been deployed at the TEA to gain experience in road infrastructure design and planning.

In an industry that has always been male dominated, Ellis said nine of the 32 candidates are female.

The Candidate Training Masterplan was designed to enable candidates to meet the expectations and outcomes of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).  Participants undergo intensive training in the investigation and design aspects of projects under SANRAL’s continuous national road programme of works.

The masterplan covers all disciplines of road engineering, but is primarily focused on geometric design, traffic analysis and capacity, materials investigation and utilisation, pavement and materials evaluations and design, and storm water and sub-surface drainage.

New ramp opens at Mount Edgecombe Interchange

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Motorists from Phoenix and Mount Edgecombe smiled as they swung onto the new ramp at the Mount Edgecombe Interchange for the first time on Monday morning.

Corne Roux, left, SANRAL Eastern Region Project manager, and Henk Kaal, engineer from SMEC South Africa, the engineering and development consultancy that supervised construction of the N2/M41 Mt Edgecombe Interchange, wave through the first vehicles travelling from Phoenix and Mt Edgecombe to use the new ramp onto the N2 southbound towards Durban.

With relief on their faces, motorists from Phoenix and Mount Edgecombe smiled as they swung onto the new ramp at the Mount Edgecombe Interchange for the first time on Monday morning, 5 March, as they travelled towards the N2 southbound to Durban.

The one-kilometre long bridge – one of the longest structures ever built in South Africa over one of the busiest intersections in KwaZulu-Natal – forms part of the improvements undertaken by the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) at the N2/M41 Mount Edgecombe Interchange north of Durban. It connects Phoenix and uMhlanga with Durban and the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

Corne Roux, SANRAL Eastern Region project manager for the Mount Edgecombe Interchange, said: “Only one lane of the new ramp from Phoenix and Mount Edgecombe will be open to traffic to enable the temporary ramp that had been in use to be demolished to allow for completion of the construction of a new ramp from the N2 northbound, taking traffic towards the Gateway shopping complex. The second lane of the new ramp will be open in about a month’s time.

He urged motorists to be cautious, patient and cooperative, and adhere to speed limits during the construction.

One of the largest SANRAL projects

The iconic Mount Edgecombe Interchange, which is one of the largest projects presently undertaken by SANRAL in KwaZulu-Natal, is more than a masterpiece of award-winning architecture – it is a vital artery of the greater eThekwini Metropolitan highway system for easing traffic, relieving congestion and is a significant business enabler.

Due to the expansion of the uMhlanga and La Lucia Ridge areas, the existing interchange had been operating at capacity with vehicles backing up on the M41 and onto the N2 during peak hours.

An additional 40 000 vehicles enter or leave the N2 from the M41 daily, resulting in substantial queuing of vehicles during the day.

This, together with expected future expansions and anticipated development of the Cornubia area, required the existing interchange to be upgraded in order to improve the flow to and from the N2 and M41 to the supporting road network.

The Mount Edgecombe Interchange upgrade has changed the landscape forever and is sure to become a well-known landmark in years to come.

The new four-level interchange facility provides at least two lanes on each of the major movements. The upgrade includes the implementation of directional ramps, which eliminates the need for controlled signalisation and ensures free flow of traffic in all directions.

The construction has been jointly funded by SANRAL and KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport.

Two bridges part of the project

Two incrementally launched bridges are part of the interchange upgrade.  One bridge, which is 948 metres in length – the longest incrementally launched bridge in South Africa – joins the Mount Edgecombe side of the M41 with the N2 South. The other bridge is 440 metres long and joins the uMhlanga side of the M41 with the N2 North.

The 948m bridge has 23 piers and two abutments and was built from two ends – one portion launched on a curve and the other on a straight.

A pedestrian bridge has been constructed over the N2 and will connect to new footways.

In addition, lighting will be installed to ensure the whole interchange is lit at night for better safety.

Road development to bring changes to Buffalo City

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Public participation is important to the planning of the Breidbach Interchange in King William’s Town.

Large projects such as these need the involvement of the community.

A planned state-of-the-art interchange at Breidbach in King William’s Town will make a big difference for the local community – with billions of Rands being set aside for its construction.

The contract has yet to go out to tender, so the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) has not given an exact figure for the project.

The national roads agency and the Buffalo City Metro are working together on the development.

SANRAL is currently at the design stage for upgrading a 60km stretch of the N2 from Green River to Buffalo River Bridge (3.2km), and the construction of the new Belstone (8.2km) and Breidbach (9.8km) interchanges.

The metro was engaging those in the various wards who would be affected by the project, said Buffalo City portfolio head for the infrastructure and engineering department, Ncedo Kumbaca.

“There are two projects planned by SANRAL in the King William’s Town area,” Kumbaca noted; the Breidbach interchange in ward 44 and the King William’s Town bypass – the Belstone interchange – which will run across wards 37, 38, 39 and 43.

Ward 44 encompasses Breidbach and surrounds, ward 37 covers Westbank, ward 38 contains Lower Mngqesha Handsmission, ward 39 covers Shorneville and Ginsberg and ward 43 encompasses Tyutyu, and Bhisho.

Buffalo City welcomes SANRAL projects

The road agency had met Buffalo City officials to outline the role of the metro in the project and to facilitate stakeholder management, said SANRAL’s community development specialist, Xoliswa Chubana.

Large projects such as these needed the involvement of the community, she added.

“SANRAL, together with the municipality, would need to appoint a project liaison officer for the respective projects and set up a project liaison committee for the duration of the projects,” Chubana said.

“Firstly, that involves the councillors and the municipality. We have already introduced the design team to the municipality. The set-up and appointment of the project liaison committee can follow hereafter,” said Chubana.

Wild Coast greenfields development to help people of Mpondoland

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The N2 Wild Coast Road Project will be a catalyst for sustainable local economic and social development.

The N2 Wild Coast road project is a high mobility route that will link the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal while lowering travel time and costs, and improving accessibility to a large part of the Eastern Cape.

The R9-billion investment the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) has put aside for greenfields development as part of the N2 Wild Coast Road Project will go a long way in improving the lives of ordinary people in Mpondoland.

The N2 Wild Coast road project is a high mobility route that will link the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, lower travel time and costs, and improve accessibility to a large part of the Eastern Cape.

It will be a catalyst for sustainable local economic and social development.

SANRAL’s flagship Taking SANRAL to the People programme went to Lusikisiki to share information and build partnerships with communities and other project stakeholders. Representatives of the agency met leaders of government, business, traditional leaders and community organisations during the programme.

Said SANRAL project manager, Craig McLachlan: “SANRAL will continue with its endeavours to be a developmental partner for the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo district municipalities.

“We will continue to keep the different stakeholders in the region abreast of the project’s developments,” McLachlan added.

The roads agency will open a regional office in nearby Flagstaff.

Closer to the people

The opening of the Flagstaff office will make it easier for the communities of the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo district municipalities to get in touch with SANRAL.

Flagstaff was identified as the most central area for the entire greenfields section of the project.

“The Flagstaff office will be the point where local people can contact SANRAL directly,” SANRAL’s southern regional manager, Mbulelo Peterson, noted.

Local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) no longer have to travel to Port Elizabeth to collect and submit tenders. “There will also be a tender office where tenders for SMMEs can be collected and submitted and tender briefings can be held,” Peterson said.

The Flagstaff office will also offer temporary work space and meeting facilities for project managers attending project meetings and site visits.

“We are making every effort to promote transformation by ensuring that SMMEs are exposed to work experiences that were previously not possible,” Peterson said.

SANRAL, working with the provincial government and local municipalities, continues to upgrade roads that provide infrastructure and enable agro-industrial and tourism development for the Eastern Cape.

SANRAL must be relevant to communities in which it operates

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At the heart of SANRAL’s transformation policy is the empowerment of previously disadvantaged communities as well as safe mobility, says SANRAL project manager Marlize Nel-Verwey.

SANRAL project manager Marlize Nel-Verwey believes SANRAL community development programmes will uplift a lot of previously disadvantaged communities.

For almost a year, the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) has worked hard at developing its long-term strategy – Horizon 2030 – as well as its draft transformation policy.

Horizon 2030 acknowledges the contribution the agency can make in building a capable developmental state, driving economic development through providing and maintaining critical infrastructure.

“Although SANRAL’s primary focus is the delivery of a safe, efficient, reliable and resilient national road transport system, the objectives laid out in these important documents can only be achieved if the agency remains relevant to the communities in which it operates on a daily basis,” says SANRAL project manager Marlize Nel-Verwey.

At the heart of Horizon 2030 and the agency’s transformation policy lies the urgency to develop and empower South Africa’s previously disadvantaged people and communities, through training and mentorship, and safe access and mobility, respectively.

SANRAL’s community development projects (CDPs) are training programmes through which people receive South African Qualifications Authority-accredited training in road building.

“It was important that the development and implementation of these projects be identified as a key focus area of Horizon 2030,” Nel-Verwey says.

The individuals who took part in the training programmes not only learnt about road building in general, but also took part in the construction of access roads and ancillary facilities under the mentorship of experienced construction staff.

Transforming the construction industry

“The CDPs have massive potential to contribute to the transformation of the construction and related industries,” Nel-Verwey says.

It is for this reason that the draft transformation policy states that, in addition to the customary stand-alone CDPs, as of 1 April 2018, conventional projects will include CDP components wherever feasible.

“And because these projects play such a significant role in both Horizon 2030 and our draft transformation policy, the agency is in the process of developing a CDP strategy, which will inform policy and implementation plans.”

While developing the draft CDP strategy, it became evident that the implementation of these projects present SANRAL with numerous opportunities. The most important prospects include:

  • improving the agency’s reputation by building stakeholders’ trust in SANRAL at grassroots level;
  • making a significant impact in human capacity building (development) and transforming the construction industry;
  • making a significant impact in the promotion of road safety for all modes of transport, particularly for vulnerable communities and road users;
  • improving access to the national road network, which promotes mobility and economic development; and
  • providing or facilitating non-motorised and public transport facilities, which contribute to the socio-economic development of marginalised communities and road users.

“SANRAL’s enhancement of its CDP programme is not just good news for South African communities of all shapes and sizes, it bodes well for the agency’s relationship with the public we serve,” says Nel-Verwey.

Marlize Nel-Verwey is a project manager in SANRAL’s southern region.

Uplifting communities beyond upgrading roads

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SANRAL is taking part in a partnership to provide schoolgirls from poorer areas with a year’s supply of sanitary towels.

Learners from Ndzondelelo Senior Secondary School in Zwide, Port Elizabeth received a year’s supply of sanitary towels donated by SANRAL in partnership with Vukani Multi Sport Club.

South Africa’s national road agency sees its mission as broader than just building and maintaining the country’s roads – it is about playing an important role in uplifting communities.

With this in mind, the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) Southern Region joined the Vukani Multi Sport Club (VMSC) on a drive to provide sanitary towels to schoolgirls in Zwide, Port Elizabeth.

Twenty-six Grade 8 girls at Ndzondelelo Senior Secondary School were given a year’s supply of sanitary towels.

This was part of the first phase of the drive by SANRAL’s Southern Region and VMSC to donate personal hygiene products to girls from disadvantaged backgrounds around Nelson Mandela Bay.

“R10 from you will mean something different to the children at the school,” said school principal, Dan Ngcape, who explained that the school serviced very poor areas including Soweto-On-Sea, Zwide and Veeplaas.

“The contributions made by SANRAL and Vukani Multi Sport Club are a huge deal to the kids. These kids will not forget this day,” said Ngcape.

The girls spoke of having to make use of towels or toilet paper or even having to cut up a sock during menstrual cycles.

Sanitary towels cost between R10 and R60 for a pack of 10, depending on the brand purchased.

Every year organisations across the country get involved in providing sanitary towels to schoolgirls from impoverished backgrounds, and thereby providing dignity and support.

Giving back to communities

SANRAL’s national office had a sanitary towel drive last year, said Southern Region marketing coordinator Michelle Ah Shene, and various schools were identified for the donation of sanitary towels.

“Ndzondelelo Senior Secondary School was selected after we were approached by Vukani club to partner with them on the project. The school is also located close to the R75 project in Port Elizabeth that SANRAL is currently working on.

“Supplying a smaller group of girls with a year’s supply of sanitary towels will make more of an impact. The girls will benefit over a longer period of time instead of just receiving a month’s supply of pads,” Ah Shene said.

President of VMSC, Wonga Mfula, said: “It is our responsibility to give back to society and let people know wellness is important”.

Apart from the provision of training programmes in construction works, building roads and bridges, SANRAL also focuses on developing human capital through educational programmes at tertiary institutions, providing internships for trainees and awarding bursaries and scholarships to university students and high school learners, Ah Shene noted.

STEM programme helps learners and teachers

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An education programme focussing on the sciences has helped more than 2 200 Eastern Cape high school learners and teachers since its inception in eight years ago.

Learners in the Gate Project from Khumbulani High School, Ethembeni Enrichment Centre and Khwezi Lomso Comprehensive School.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Action Pipeline Programme (STEM PP) offered by the Nelson Mandela University has improved the academic lives of more than 2 200 Eastern Cape high school learners and teachers since its inception in 2010.

The project, run in partnership with in partnership with the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL), consists of several educational programmes, all focused on increasing competence in STEM subjects.

The programmes target both learners and teachers.

Learners from various high schools in Nelson Mandela Bay participate in the Getting Ahead in Technology and Engineering programme and the Selected Learner programme.

Classes are held at the university’s Missionvale Campus in Port Elizabeth, as it is easily accessible to all communities.

The primary objective of STEM PP is to increase the number of Grade 12 learners achieving marks that are good enough to enter tertiary training in engineering and science.

SANRAL supports the programme through funding.

Enhancing understanding

“The aim of the courses is to enhance the learners’ understanding of and promote positive attitudes towards science and mathematics,” said STEM PP manager Isabel van Gend.

“Participants receive valuable extra tuition in career-related fields and are equipped with the necessary skills to operate in a higher education or science-related work environment.”

Nadia Petrus, a Grade 11 learner from Bertram High School in Bloemendal, participates in the Selected Learner and Getting Ahead in Technology and Engineering programmes, which has helped improve her maths and science marks immensely.

“The study guidelines helped me focus on my work and where to improve most of my marks,” she said.

Another Grade 11 participant, Michaela Aliva from St James (RC) Senior Secondary School in Schauderville, said she had been struggling with her physical science marks. “Now they’ve improved and I understand the work much better.”

Teachers enjoying it too

The Educator Toolbox programme has also yielded great results for learners and their instructors.

Uitenhage High School teacher Lee-Ann van Heerden said that physical and life sciences teachers from her school had attended various career exploration sessions, as well as workshops on teaching and learning strategies for Grade 10-12 physical and life sciences.

“Our learners now have a better understanding of theory,” she said.

As part of Getting Ahead in Technology and Engineering programme, the university also facilitates a 10-hour study method course at the start of the year, which includes summary and memory techniques.

Physical science and its mathematical concepts are the focus of the course.

The Selected Learner programme, which was introduced at 19 schools in Nelson Mandela Bay in 2016, is for learners who achieved at least 70% in maths and science in Grade 9. The focus of this programme is on experimental skills and understanding, as well as a career exploration in the fields of maths and science.

The agency also funds and manages a number of educational projects outside of STEM PP, including the awarding of bursaries and scholarships.