Blog - Page 172 of 196 - SANRAL Stop Over

Community development at the heart of SANRAL

21Sep2016

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Skills-Dev-1 — Image: Brand South Africa

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) prides itself in upholding the ethos of South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) and this is evident in their community development.

The NDP, also known as Vision 2030, is a blueprint for eliminating poverty and reducing inequality in South Africa by 2030. Among other things, it identifies constraints to faster growth and presents a roadmap to a more inclusive economy that will address the country’s socio-economic imbalances.

One of the NDP’s outcomes is community development which seeks to establish sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life.

Nazir Alli, CEO of SANRAL, said on their 2016 Annual Report: “Transport is one of the most important enablers of growth and prosperity and, as South Africa continues to densify its cities and provide roads in the under-serviced parts of our country, we should benefit from a road network that provides both increasing access and mobility.

“In our country, roads remain the most heavily used transportation infrastructure, providing a base for a multitude of productive activities that help to expand the economy by creating jobs and connecting individuals, villages, towns and cities.”

Community development

SANRAL has invested about R12.9-million to train 4 120 people in road-building and other skills through 6 237 courses.

Alli said: “We have created the equivalent of 15 721 full-time jobs through the fulfilment of these contracts. Our contract participation goals saw the development of 1 004 black-owned companies individually contracted to perform work to the value of approximately R1.9-billion.”

SANRAL believes its efforts in community development are best summed up in the words of struggle stalwart Charlotte Maxeke: “This work is not for yourselves – kill that spirit of self, and do not live above your people but live with them. If you can rise, bring someone with you.”

Through active procurement policies, SANRAL will continue to promote broad-based black economic empowerment.

“This year we will focus strongly on women and youth. We will also maintain our strong commitment to developing SMMEs, which are essential to expanding capacity in the construction industry and creating jobs in our country,” said Alli.

Cynthia Tshabalala, owner of Siyahlutha Developers and a sub-contractor on the R67, attests to SANRAL’s impact on entrepreneurs: “I would like to thank SANRAL for giving me this opportunity. Not only did I get to realise my dream, but I was also given the opportunity to employ people from my community. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude. I was part of a group of women who went through a SANRAL SMME programme.

“I started with nothing. I didn’t have a single tool. I had no equipment and no vehicle to transport anything. Today, I own a vehicle that has been paid off. I have my own equipment, which I have started renting out, and my own tools.”

Sustainable human settlements

SANRAL’s contribution to community development extends beyond their engineering projects as evident in Knysna, where it freed 72ha of land to a community in the area.

Alli said: “In response to representations made by the affected community and in accordance with our role as an agency of a listening government, a joint decision was taken to transfer the land from SANRAL to the Housing Development Agency for an integrated human settlement project.”

Vandalism affects SANRAL

20Sep2016

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The safety of pedestrians is at risk due to vandalism of important infrastructure and the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) is appealing to residents in and around George to report vandalism to road infrastructure.

SANRAL is appealing to residents of various townships and other role players in George to assist in putting a stop to the vandalism of road infrastructure along the N2 where safe pathways are being provided.

The purpose-built walkways that cost the taxpayer R43-million stretch over a distance of about 8 km along the N2 between the York Street Interchange and the Garden Route Mall.

These are designed to provide safe access for residents of nearby residential areas, namely, Thembalethu, Pacaltsdorp, Lawaaikamp and Ballotsview during the day and night.

Kobus van der Walt, SANRAL’s Western Region Manager, said: “It is a well-known fact that approximately 40% of all deaths on South African roads are pedestrians. They are the most vulnerable group of all road users and road safety is an important priority for SANRAL.

“The deliberate and wilful destruction of the network jeopardises not only the safety of pedestrians from the various communities which it is designed to assist but also the livelihood of a number of workers on the project.”

A key feature of the project is a new pedestrian bridge which has been constructed alongside the N2, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to move safely across the railway line at Meul River between home and work. It has also been damaged with fire, burning the rubber bridge bearings.

Community development

The project is beneficial to the community because the targeted spend on SMME’s working on the project amounts to R24.3m and the targeted spend on labour is R12.2m. The project sources local labour and at any one time about 210 workers are busy laying bricks, building walkways and erecting fences, amongst other activities.

The vandalism impacts a total of seven subcontractors which have been appointed to carry out different aspects of the work. They are only paid once the work has been completed.

Some of the infrastructure damaged includes part of a two metre high welded mesh fence erected along the N2 separating the pathways from the freeway. The destruction of the fence also allows stray animals to gain access to the freeway, causing fatal accidents.

Also damaged are the electrics housed in concrete poles on which 177 energy efficient LED lights will be mounted along the pathways enabling pedestrians to move safely at night to their homes.

Van der Walt adds that the rolling terrain makes the project more amenable to labour enhanced construction as heavy construction vehicles cannot operate in these conditions. This needs the use of manual labour to build the pathways on the steep slopes.

“This project has the added advantage of providing employment to a greater number of people from the George area,” said Van der Walt.

“I’m appealing to leaders of the local community to help put a stop to the vandalism of infrastructure which has been designed to better the lives of those living in the George area,” concludes Van der Walt.

Roadworks on the N2 – Great Fish River Bridge

30Jun2016

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The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify

travellers that roadworks are taking place at the Fish River Bridge on the N2 between

Grahamstown and Peddie. There will be a Stop-Go control section in place from today, 27 June

2016 until Friday, 01 July 2016.

The stop-and- go sections will be implemented during the day and motorists can expect a delay of

approximately 10 minutes. Two-way traffic will be maintained in the evenings.

“Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly and be cautious when making use of the

road, and comply with the directions of safety personnel,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL

Southern Region’s Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Roadworks continue on N2 from Wilsonia to N6

30Jun2016

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Ongoing roadworks on the N2 from Wilsonia to the N6 outside East London are set to continue.

The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to advise motorists that lane closures are scheduled this week between 8:30 and 16:00. The closures are as follows:

Wednesday, 29 June

Closure of the West-bound fast lane between km 5.2 and km 9.2.

Thursday, 30 June

Closure of the East-bound fast lane between km 9.2 and km 13.2.

Friday, 1 July

Closure of the East-bound fast lane between km 13.2 and km 16.6.

Monday, 4 July

Closure of the West-bound fast lane between km 13.2 and km 16.6.

Tuesday, 5 July

Closure of the West-bound fast lane between km 9.2 and km 13.2.

No further lane closures are scheduled until the 1^st of September 2016.

Please be advised this is a dual carriageway, so one lane will remain open to traffic when the other is closed. The R102 may be used as an alternative.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly, and to be cautious when making use of the road,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region’s Regional Manager.

Blasting operation between km 77.840 and km 78.040 on National Route N1 section 16 between Winburg Interchange and the Winburg Station, north of Bloemfontein.

28Jun2016

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A blasting operation is scheduled to take place between the Winburg Interchange and the Winburg Station on the N1 between km 77.840 and km 78.040 on Tuesday 28 June at approximately 3pm.

The N1 will be closed approximately between 2.30pm and 3.30pm. However, the blasting time may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions on the day. If need be, a second notice with information of the new time will be made available.

Due to the close proximity of the blast site to the Winburg interchange, it will be necessary to close the Winburg interchange to all traffic during the blast operation.However, steps will be taken to ensure that the N1 is closed for the shortest possible time.

Meanwhile, motorists can make use of the R30/R34 toll road between Glen Lyon and Kroonstad as an alternative route during the N1 closure.The patience and co-operation of motorists will be appreciated.

SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during road construction.The Agency takes seriously its mandate from government to manage and maintain the national road network.

In so doing, the safety and wellbeing of road users and the communities in which it operates are paramount.

Blasting operation between km 80.840 and km 80.900 on National Route N1 section 16 between Winburg Interchange and the Winburg Station, north of Bloemfontein.

27Jun2016

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A blasting operation is scheduled to take place between the Winburg Interchange and the Winburg Station on the N1 between km 80.840 and km 80.900 on Monday 27 June at approximately 3pm.

Traffic will be diverted through Winburg for the duration of approximately 1 hour.

SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during road construction.

The Agency takes seriously its mandate from government to manage and maintain the national road network.

In so doing, the safety and wellbeing of road users and the communities in which it operates are paramount.

Blasting operation between km 81.720 and km 82.120 on National Route N1 section 16 between Winburg Interchange and the Winburg Station, north of Bloemfontein.

22Jun2016

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The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify travellers that a blasting operation is scheduled to take place between the Winburg Interchange and the Winburg Station on the N1 between km 81.720 and km 82.120 on Wednesday 22 June at approximately 3pm.

Due to the close proximity of the blast site to the Winburg interchange, it will be necessary to close the Winburg interchange to all traffic during the blast operation.

However, steps will be taken to ensure that the N1 is closed for the shortest possible time.

Meanwhile, motorists can make use of the R30/R34 toll road between Glen Lyon and Kroonstad as an alternative route during the N1 closure.

The patience and co-operation of motorists will be appreciated.

SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during road construction.

The Agency takes seriously its mandate from government to manage and maintain the national road network.

In so doing, the safety and wellbeing of road users and the communities in which it operates are paramount

Fraud alert: “NRA-N.004-010-2016/1F” NOT issued by SANRAL

22Jun2016

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The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has not re-advertised tender NRA-N.004 -010-2016/1F.

The supposed re-advertisement was issued by a David Walker with the closing date of 23 June 2016 and a non-refundable bid document fee of R1 000. SANRAL confirms that the agency does not have a David Walker on its staff complement. This is fraud and the public is urged not to respond to the advert.

A complaint had been laid with the police to investigate.

“There are tell-tale signs that the public can look for to distinguish a request from SANRAL and a fraudulent one. For instance, SANRAL will never use a gmail account for official business. The agency’s internet domain is nra.co.za. SANRAL does not charge any fee for tenders,” said Vusi Mona, General Manager: Communications at SANRAL.

The referenced tender has in fact been awarded and the contract is effective 01 March 2016.

“It must be noted that SANRAL did not issue this request. The public must contact SANRAL directly to verify any requests for quotation on 012 844 8000,” concluded Mona.

SANRAL investment in the country’s youth to increase, yet again

22Jun2016

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Screen Shot 2016-06-22 at 11.48.29 — Naa’ilah Mia, a trainee project manager

SANRAL, committed to developing skills of students interested in studying and building a career within the engineering and road Infrastructure environment, has in addition to its youth programmes increased its contract participation goals for the youth.

The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) statistics indicates that out of 33 270 Civil Engineering registered enterprises, 10 112 (30.39%) are youth owned.

“We have presented revised contract participation goals (CPGs) to our Board of Directors in order to increase the participation of youth labour and youth-owned business on all SANRAL contracts. The revised CPGs will be applied to all contracts whether major, routine road maintenance (RRM), or community development (CD) projects,” says Vusi Mona, spokesperson for the roads agency.

The new CPGs for major and RRM projects require that 20% of small-, medium- and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) sub-contracted to SANRAL projects must be youth-owned, while 40% of SMMEs on Community Development projects must be youth-owned. As for the youth labour component, 30% of the labour CPGs for major and RRM projects must be allocated to the youth, while 40% of the labour CPGs for CD projects must be allocated to the youth.

In addition, SANRAL has a number of youth programmes that encourage the youth to pursue careers in the engineering industry. These programmes expose students and graduates to the workplace (in-service training) where they acquire the experience, competencies and proficiencies required in order to adhere to the stringent standards to register as professional engineers.

“At SANRAL we are passionate and committed towards development and training. We provide intensive in-service training programmes to ensure that our graduates are competent and at the top of their respective divisions. We provide guaranteed exposure to a broad variety of disciplines in the civil engineering and built environment,” says Mona.

The in-service training programmes are carried out under the guidance of engineering mentors who assist graduates to perform to their full potential. Coenraad Claassens, Northern Region Trainee Project Manager, believes that getting an education has empowered him more than he could have imagined. He received a bursary from SANRAL and is currently exposed to in-service training at SANRAL’s Centre of Excellence in Port Elizabeth.

“Working at SANRAL has opened a lot of opportunities for me, especially because it requires me to register as a professional engineer within in five years. I wouldn’t have received the necessary exposure at most other engineering firms,” he said.

“We provide an opportunity for bursary recipients to use the workplace as an active learning environment. Opportunities are provided to graduates who acquire skills that make them employable. These programmes provide SANRAL with an opportunity to compile a database of prospective engineers for future recruitment purposes,” Mona explained.

Naa’ilah Mia, a trainee project manager, said that receiving the bursary had the added advantage of employment by SANRAL. “So many of my friends struggled to find work after completing their university studies, but I didn’t have that issue,” she said.

Consideration is given to students who have successfully completed their first year of undergraduate study, or those currently registered for second, third and fourth year as well as those enrolling for post-graduate studies. In addition, grade 12 learners who average at least 70 percent for mathematics and science and who have applied to a university to study engineering are also invited to apply.

Mona says SANRAL granted bursaries worth over R11-million to 105 tertiary students in the 2014/15 financial year, this in addition to 172 scholarships given to high school students.

Roadworks continue on N2 from Wilsonia to N6

21Jun2016

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Ongoing roadworks on the N2 from Wilsonia to the N6 outside East London are set to continue.

The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to advise motorists that lane closures are scheduled this week between 8:30 and 16:00. The closures are as follows:

Tuesday, 21 June

Closure of the East bound fast lane between km 9.2 and km 13.2.

Wednesday, 22 June

Closure of the West bound slow lane between km 9.2 and km 13.2.

Thursday, 23 June

Closure of the West bound fast lane between km 9.2 and km 13.2.

Please be advised this is a dual carriageway, thus one lane will remain open to traffic. The R102 may be used as an alternative.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly, and to be cautious when making use of the road,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region’s Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologizes for any inconvenience caused.