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One of six children born to poor but loving parents in the town of Mokopane in rural Limpopo, John Rammutla knows what it’s like to grow up in difficult circumstances – but has never allowed this to hold him back.

The newly-qualified civil engineer, who is a Project Manager in Training at SANRAL, believes the youth of South Africa can bring about the change this country so desperately needs – and he is starting with himself.

John, 23, has just organised the second SANRAL-supported South African Youth Leadership Conference, in partnership with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University student association, Believers Love World (BLW), to inspire the youth to contribute to socio-economic development in South Africa.

The conference, held at NMMU on May 23, was attended by nearly 500 Grade 12 learners from three township schools in Port Elizabeth and 130 NMMU students and working professionals, including SANRAL employees. The conference was also live-streamed to three other universities in the Eastern Cape – Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu and Rhodes.

It followed the highly successful inaugural conference he ran earlier this year in Limpopo, for 1300 university students and learners.

“I’m really passionate about South Africa and its development. As a nation, we have so much potential and talent. Someone has to go out there and exploit that talent and inspire people to act. This is my contribution – to inspire others to see themselves as critical instruments in bringing about social and economic development in South Africa.”

John believes there are two main issues affecting South Africa’s youth. The first is unemployment, and the second is alcohol and drug abuse. And it is these problems that lead to the majority of the country’s social problems, including rape, robbery and violent crimes.

Instead of looking to government for solutions, John believes young people should see what they can do, by becoming business or social entrepreneurs.

“I encourage the learners to start non-profit organisations (NPOs) to improve the lives of others. I encourage them to start their own businesses, to create jobs, and I give them the support they need to do this. Whether you are 16, 17, 19 or 20, you can start a business.”

Regarding the problem of alcohol and drug abuse, John says young people should set up organisations to help their peers. “It’s easier for a young person to listen to another young person. It’s more impactful than listening to a politician and the chances of success are greater.”

John said a lack of resources and being over-burdened by responsibilities were often used by the youth as excuses for apathy – but he believes they can achieve despite this, just as he did.

John himself has been a social entrepreneur since school. With a flair for maths and science, he and some classmates used to tutor learners from other schools, due to the shortage of maths and science teachers in the area. “In Grade 11, we were tutoring Grade 12 learners. That’s how passionate we were.”

Once they matriculated and went to university – John with a full bursary from SANRAL – the group wanted to continue to make a difference to Limpopo learners.

So they started an NPO called “Enlighters Edu-Solutions” and they expanded it to include career exhibitions. It continues to run to date.

This year, John started a second NPO, Hi-Africa, for the purpose of empowering the youth through national conferences and summits. His long-term vision is to run these events across Africa.

He is “truly, truly grateful” to work for a company that is deeply committed to developing communities and leaders, and encourages its employees to do the same. “SANRAL is wonderful. Allowing me to run this project and by sponsoring the events, shows SANRAL’s commitment towards nation building.”

John said what kept him going was his deep faith, those who support and mentor him and his passion to see the country’s youth mobilised to make a difference. “You have to be passionate about what you do, and you have to be committed – then you’ll know what to do. You’ll get ideas and you’ll be inspired to act on them.”

Dear All

I see that OUTA are now looking for between R80 and R200 per month for membership (see their application form). This gives me some serious reason to question the situation. Over 75% of frequent freeway users would pay less than R80 per month in tolls had they previously had a tag and now with or without a tag. So for most it would be cheaper to pay the tolls and sleep better not waiting for a summons. I trust that all those that are joining have read the OUTA terms and conditions. Basically they will only defend you if they have money. It does not take a maths degree to work out that only those expecting a summons are joining, therefore to cover everyone’s cost you will need to pay for your own legal cost plus the OUTA administration. So if you think sending a R50 donation or paying for a year until you get a summons has you covered, good luck.

So assuming that you are paying OUTA the same as what you would have paid SANRAL, will you ensure that OUTA will:
* Come to your assistance if you have an accident without you having to call them?
* Dispatch medical response to an accident, the first responders are on motorbikes to ensure they are there quickly?
* Remove broken down heavy vehicles to restore traffic flow as soon as possible?
* Keep drivers informed of travel times?
* Keep the lights on and pay for the electricity?
* Maintain the road pavement to improve riding quality?
* Plan and fund the much needed and overdue expansion of the freeway network?
Just another thought; the SANRAL Act legislates that toll revenue is dedicated to the toll road. Is there anything that ensures that your “e-toll defence” money is not being spent by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse going up against Eskom, remembering Clause 1 of OUTA’s T&Cs.
Makes you think, doesn’t it.

Night roadworks will take place this week on the Settlers interchange bridge, in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape over the coming week. On each occasion, the work will start at 7pm and continue through the night before the roads are re-opened again at 5am the following morning.

The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to advise motorists that from tomorrow night (Monday, 22 May) up until Thursday night (26 May) at 7pmroad resurfacing will be done on the Settlers interchange bridge. There will be lane restrictions with dual lanes merging into a single traffic lane on the bridge.

There will be an access route and exit route via the intersection ramps and or bridges.

The roadworks will go ahead, weather permitting. There will be digital signs to caution motorist of ongoing roadworks taking place at night.

Reduced speed limits will be enforced.

“Motorists must be observant of all lane closures and warning signs, and exercise extreme caution when travelling through the construction work zones. Motorists are urged to plan their trips in advance or take alternative routes,” said Mbulelo Peterson, Sanral Southern Region regional manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Ltd (SANRAL) reminds road users that a section of the N1 freeway in Pretoria East from Rigel Avenue to the R21 Flying Saucer Interchange will be closed from 21h00 on Saturday 21 May until 09h00 on Sunday 22 May 2016. This closure is as a result of the scheduled demolition of the Erasmusrand Pedestrian bridge, which was severely damaged in 2015.

Concerns about the stability of the bridge resulted in its closure to pedestrians. SANRAL then immediately organised a temporary, safe alternative route for pedestrians and cyclists to make use of the adjacent Solomon Mahlangu Bridge. A contractor was appointed to install supporting infrastructure, to ensure that the bridge would remain stable. The bridge has been constantly monitored by a team of engineers appointed by SANRAL to ensure that it remained stable and that public safety was not compromised. Unfortunately, the engineers have determined that the bridge is too badly damaged to be repaired cost effectively, and now needs to be demolished to make way for the construction of a new bridge.

The purpose of the road closure is to ensure the safety of all road users during the demolition process.

The process will commence at 21h00 on Saturday 21 May, when 2 lanes of both the North- and Southbound lanes of the N1 will be partially closed for a period of 2 hours. This will allow the set-up of the lifting cranes. The freeway will then be totally closed in both directions from 23h00. It is anticipated that the full closure will need to continue until 07h00 on Sunday, 22 May, after which both carriageways will be partially opened (2 lanes will remain closed for 2 hours to allow de-establishment of the cranes) and normal traffic flow is expected to be re-established from 09h00.

To ensure proper traffic management and oversight, SANRAL will be supported by the Tshwane Metropolitan Police to assist with traffic flow on all affected intersections along the chosen detour. Road users are requested to fully co-operate with traffic officers to ensure a smooth and safe demolition process.

Traffic from the N1 will be diverted via the R21, Solomon Mahlangu Drive (M10) and the M9/R50 Delmas Road/Rigel Avenue roads. The entire detour route will be well sign-posted. As a safety precaution, all residents are advised to avoid the area in the vicinity of the bridge, as the activities associated with demolition of the bridge are regarded as high risk.

All road users, particularly heavily loaded vehicles and freight haulers are asked to avoid this route entirely during this period. Alternative routes such as the R21 and the N14 may be used to avoid this closure.

According to SANRAL Project Manager Alan Agaienz, the roads agency chose the best, safest and fastest demolition method, so as to minimise the potential impact on road users, the environment, neighbouring residents etc.

“We request residents in that area to be patient with SANRAL during this period and to not be alarmed when they hear occasional noise coming from the demolition site. SANRAL have appointed a highly skilled contractor who has carried out many similar demolition projects in the past, and we are confident that this intricate operation will proceed safely and successfully. The whole operation has been meticulously planned by our experienced engineers, and the safety of everyone has been our top priority during the planning process”, said Agaienz.

He said SANRAL chose to complete the demolition during an off-peak period on a weekend in order to have minimal impact on traffic flow, and also to ensure the safety of all road users.

SANRAL has notified residents who will be directly affected by the demolition.

Any questions related to this project may be directed pressoffice@nra.co.za or by calling 083 283 6089.

Night roadworks will take place this week on the Settlers interchange and Stanford Interchange Bridge, in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape over the coming week. On each occasion the work will start at 7pm and continue through the night before the roads are re-opened again at 5am the following morning.

The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to advise motorists that from tonight (Monday, 16 May) at 7pm road resurfacing will be done on the Settlers interchange towards Grahamstown (M4 – N2). There will be lane restrictions with dual lanes merging into a single traffic lane on the bridge. There will be no ramp closures.

The work will take place from tonight (Monday May 16); Tuesday night (May 17) and again on Wednesday (May 18) from 7pm.

The roadworks will go ahead, weather permitting. There will be digital signs to caution motorist of ongoing roadworks taking place at night.

Reduced speed limits will be enforced.

There will also be road resurfacing on the Stanford interchange bridge. Single lane traffic restrictions will be implemented. This work will take place over six consecutive nights starting from tonight (Monday, May 16) until Saturday, May 21, with work starting at 7pm every day.

There will be an access route and exit route via the intersection ramps and or bridges.

“Motorists must be observant of all lane closures and warning signs, and exercise extreme caution when travelling through the construction work zones,” said Mbulelo Peterson, Sanral Southern Region regional manager.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has noted the Automobile Association’s (AA) release seeking for numbers on the number of motorists who have taken up the 60% discount offer.

As the AA correctly points out, today (17 May) marks the end of the extended period for Gauteng motorists to pay their outstanding historic e-toll accounts at the reduced 60% discount offer.

“Surely then, common sense should tell us that the total figures that the AA is seeking for will only be known at the end of this extended period,” says Vusi Mona, spokesperson for SANRAL.

“Nonetheless, we can confirm that there are approximately 2.5 million vehicles using the e-toll network in Gauteng on a monthly basis. Of these, 1.45 million are currently registered or are regular payers of their e-tolls.”

During the initial 60% discount period, SANRAL received more than 600 000 enquiries – whether via the web or via inbound calls from members of the public. Of the 600 000, approximately 130 000 have paid or have made arrangements to pay.

Mona says: “We thank those who have done the right thing and paid. At last count a total of sum of R136 million in discounted total payments, as well as payment agreements for a further R123 million had been entered into. These figures will change once the numbers that came in during the extension have been taken into account.”

SANRAL as an agency of government must comply with requirements as stipulated in the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). It is therefore obliged to collect outstanding debts to government in terms thereof.

 “The e-toll network is more than just about payment – it offers a multitude benefits. Qualitative benefits as a result of improvements in travel conditions such as improved safety and comfort, and the security of knowing that there are eyes on the road to help you when you are in trouble. The network upgrades have led to property developments, which have been a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and integrating people situated in the outskirts into urban spaces. The long-term impacts include encouraging trip sharing, discouraging urban sprawl, promote the use of public transport and discourage road usage during peak hours. This means less time spent on the road as a result of reduced traffic, giving people more time with their families,” concludes Mona.

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 85.220 and km 85.460 on Monday 16 May at approximately 4pm.

The N1 will be closed approximately between 3.30pm and 4.30pm. 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.

 

There will be roadworks taking place on the Amalinda and Western Avenue bridges and ramps from Monday 9 May to Friday 13 May at night. The night works are scheduled to take place between 19:00 and 24:00 daily.
SANRAL apologizes for any inconvenience caused

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited can today confirm that it has lodged with the Gauteng Local Division High Court civil damages claims against the construction firms that were found guilty of collusive conduct by the Competition Authorities.

The total claims are between R600 and R760 million. Seven construction firms and the joint ventures they formed have been served papers. The agency argues that it

suffered damages and overcharges as a result of the companies’ collusive conduct.

“This follows months of hard work in quantifying the damages we suffered. Some of our detractors doubted our intention to file for damages, accusing us of delays, with

some going to the extent of suggesting the agency was colluding with the industry. But we had to be thorough in our assessment of the damages and were not going to be rushed into this action ill-prepared,” the agency’s spokesperson Vusi Mona said.

Mona clarified that the claims are not confined to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project but include works that were carried out in other parts of the country.