Blog

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga steps up government’s war on potholes with Vala Zonke War Room

FutshaneSauthor1240views0comments

MEDIA RELEASE
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga steps up government’s war on potholes with Vala Zonke War Room

Centurion, 30 July 2023 – Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has stepped up government’s war on potholes with the introduction of the Vala Zonke War Room in Centurion today.

Minister Chikunga led the media on a tour of the Vala Zonke War Room, which is located at the SANRAL Central Operations Centre (COC) in Centurion.

“The introduction of this Vala Zonke War Room is the natural progression to ensure success in the war against potholes, following the launch of the Vala Zonke campaign nearly a year ago,” said Minister Chikunga.

“We have reflected on the progress made through the Vala Zonke campaign, observed learnings from the processes and addressed some of the practical challenges. Through this War Room, we are re-affirming government’s commitment to this campaign aimed at eradicating potholes across South Africa’s Road network,” she said.
Minister Chikunga also said that several private sector entities, particularly in the freight industry, had made commitments to partner with government to improve the state of South Africa’s roads.

In June this year, the Minister directed the Department to address the current state of roads in an integrated way through the ‘War Room’ approach. This is part of a holistic response to the rapid deterioration of the condition of the road network.

SANRAL’s Chief Executive Officer, Reginald Demana, said the national roads agency would coordinate the war on potholes and work in close cooperation with other roads agencies at provincial and municipal level. “The Vala Zonke War Room is equipped to capture and report on all information that will be uploaded via the Pothole APP by road users,” said Mr Demana. “The data captured will be important for SANRAL to respond appropriately. For example, if we get recurring potholes in a specific area, that could be a sign that there is a need for a longer lasting solution, perhaps a redesign of the road to ensure that it is suitable to current traffic needs.”
The basic principle of a war room is to gather everyone responsible for carrying out the intervention by the Department of Transport, as directed by Cabinet, for the road maintenance, refurbishment and the Vala Zonke Campaign, in one room, where they can coordinate the most appropriate response.

Its benefits include:
? Communication – the war room will enable effective communication between members of the team and the public.
? Information management – Visual information will be conveyed more effectively with visualisation of the data and facts. On-site specialists will be able to analyse the data and respond appropriately.
? Focus – The team works exclusively on the Vala Zonke Campaign.
? Centralised – The Vala Zonke War Room is the central hub where all pothole-related issues are addressed and resolved. This will be done in real-time, as information flows into the centre and is swiftly responded to.

SANRAL was appointed as the coordinating agency to drive the Vala Zonke Campaign, which includes the harmonisation of all data and information on potholes and providing the technology and technical knowledge to ensure quality delivery on the campaign.
“An entity such as SANRAL, is one whose place, in the service of the country, is immeasurable. Of course, I want to emphasise that we execute our work not as an independent entity, except administratively so, but as an integral component of government, and actually, as an agent of government,” said Themba Mhambi, SANRAL Board Chairperson.

South Africans are encouraged to continue reporting potholes via the Pothole App, as this is the start of a meticulously documented process flow that assists government in identifying the problem but simultaneously assists with holding various roads authorities accountable to the people of South Africa, said Mr Mhambi.

Partial road closure of the R21, Section 2, Northbound

FutshaneSauthor872views0comments

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Partial road closure of the R21, Section 2, Northbound

Sunday, 30 July 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform motorists of a partial road closure which is scheduled to take place along the R21 national road, Section 2 kilometre 16,5, near the Flying Saucer Interchange in Centurion. This is to allow for emergency repairs on the road.

Two lanes will be closed off, however, one lane will be open to accommodate traffic. The closure will be effective from 09h00 to 12h00 on Monday, 31 July 2023.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused during this period and will continue to provide updates to road users as information becomes available. 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.

Partial road closure of the R30 in Klerksdorp

FutshaneSauthor501views0comments

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Partial road closure of the R30 in Klerksdorp

Sunday, 30 July 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform motorists of a partial road closure which is scheduled to take place along the R30 between Von Wielligh and Ian Street in Klerksdorp. This is to allow for emergency repairs on the road.

There will be a stop-and-go introduced to accommodate traffic. The closure will be effective from 10h30 to 12h00 on Monday, 31 July 2023.

SANRAL appeals to motorists to be patient during this period and apologises for any inconvenience caused. 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.

SANRAL Career Expo roadshow visits rural Wild Coast

sizwesethu.futshaneauthor1286views0comments

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL Career Expo roadshow visits rural Wild Coast

Eastern Cape, 28 July 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) hosted a career expo in Khanyayo Village in the Wild Coast on Wednesday, 26 July 2023.

Hosted by Ms Nwabisa Gxumisa, SANRAL’s Wild Coast District Office Manager, the expo targeted grade 12 learners from around the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality where SANRAL’s mega project, Msikaba Bridge, is being constructed since 2019.

Nearly 700 learners attended from Zwelibongile Senior Secondary School, Mhlanga Senior Secondary School, Mpingana Senior Secondary School, Gebhuza Senior Secondary School, Jikindaba Senior Secondary School and Ngwenyeni Senior Secondary, which are within Khanyayo Village, Thahle Village and Cele Village, in the vicinity of the Msikaba Bridge road infrastructure development project.

Estimated at R1.65 billion, the Msikaba Bridge forms part of SANRAL’s flagship programme in the Eastern Cape, the N2 Wild Coast (N2WC) Road Programme. Once completed in 2026, it will be the highest single-span cable-stayed bridge in Africa.

Exhibitors included the Walter Sisulu University, University of Fort Hare, Durban University of Technology, the Independent Electoral Commission, the Department of Transport – Maritime Branch, Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury, Tsolo Agricultural College, Nelson Mandela Museum and KwaZithina Publishers.

Ms Nombuyekezo Mdutshane, Circuit Manager of the Department of Education’s Mthontsasa Circuit, said the area is known for producing good results. “We perform above 65% every year in all the schools. We are challenged because we are in a deep rural area, therefore our learners are not often exposed to such career expos and information on the variety of career options. Some don’t have access to television, nor social media. From all the grade 12 learners here, we want quality results. You have to make wise decisions and have more than one option,” she advised.

“SANRAL is here to create awareness around its investment in education and young people, as well as to expose rural learners to stimulating career and bursary opportunities,” said Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Regional Stakeholder Coordinator, encouraging learners to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them while time is still on their side.

The Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury said that they have bursaries for students in commerce, internal auditing and ITC which cover 100% of all of the student’s needs. Their bursary is targeted at learners with a level 7 pass rate. WBHO, one of the contractors constructing the road between the mega bridges, also spoke of their bursaries offered to high performing second year students studying towards a BSC degree in quantity surveying, civil engineering or construction management at selected institutions. H&I Construction spoke of their civil engineering bursary programme that identifies top performing beneficiaries at high school level.

Learners were exposed to unique career options such as the animal health technician qualification available at the Tsolo Agricultural College, a career as a historian as highlighted by Nelson Mandela Museum, a career in publishing, as highlighted by Kwazithina Publishers and career opportunities in the maritime industry as explained by the Department of Transport – Maritime Branch.

Motivating the learners, Hlawula Mgilane, a 24-year-old Civil Engineering graduate who took part in a SANRAL training programme on the Msikaba Bridge project, said, “It is important to choose a career that you love without being influenced by friends or parents. Many people have dropped out because they were studying something they had no passion for.”

Qaqamba Sidikame, owner of Jayile Concrete, a subcontractor on the N2WCR programme who graduated with a BSC and honours degree in Construction Management from Wits University, shared some information around her career path which led to her opening her own business and motivated the learners to “always put in the hard work to succeed”. She has come full circle as a former bursary recipient from Concor, which she is now subcontracted to on the Msikaba Bridge contract.

Learners were taken on a virtual tour of the Msikaba Bridge to not only inspire them on the world of engineering, but to demonstrate SANRAL’s engineering excellence that is a work in progress on this project.

The schools participated in a quiz competition where the first prize of R50 000 was taken by Mpingana Senior Secondary School, the second prize of R20 000 was won by Mlhanga Senior Secondary School, and the third prize of R10 000 went to Zwelibongile Senior Secondary School. The prize money will be used to address the respective schools’ needs.

Thanking SANRAL for the career expo, the principal of Zwelibongile Senior Secondary School, Ms Nompiliso Duduma said “this circuit has six high schools, and we are a well performing

circuit. As teachers we want to encourage the grade 12s to perform well and take our circuit to number one. We thank SANRAL for this occasion and for providing a platform for all our grade 12s to receive this information themselves. We appreciate the wall murals SANRAL is painting around our schools, as well as the prizes won today that will go a long way in addressing shortage of resources.”

Blasting works scheduled on N2 between Makhanda and Fish River Pas

sizwesethu.futshaneauthor928views0comments

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate
Blasting works scheduled on N2 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass

Eastern Cape, 28 July 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify travellers that blasting operations are planned on the N2 between Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and Fish River Pass, every Wednesday at 13h00 for the next 12 months, commencing on Wednesday, 2 August 2023, up to end of July 2024.

The road will be closed on these days from 13h00, for a maximum period of three hours, up to 16h00 to allow sufficient time for cleaning of the existing N2 and making it safe for the travelling public.

Motorists travelling westwards between East London or Qonce (formerly King Williamstown) and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) may consider using the following alternative route:

• From East London, follow the R72 to Port Alfred and Kenton on Sea through to Nanaga, turn left onto the N2 and continue to Gqeberha.

Motorists travelling eastwards between Gqeberha and Qonce or East London may consider using the following alternative route:

  • From Gqeberha, follow the N2 to Nanaga, turn right onto the R72 at the junction at Nanaga and travel on via Alexandria and Port Alfred to East London.
  • From East London, turn left onto the N2 and travel westwards through to Qonce.
    “Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution

    when making use of the roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

    – Ends –

 

N7 reseal between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam has full community support

sizwesethu.futshaneauthor994views0comments

MEDIA RELEASE

 

N7 reseal between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam has full community support

Western Cape, 27 July 2023 – The R69 million upgrade of the N7 between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam is set to create much-needed economic participation opportunities for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as well as local labour in the Cederberg Local Municipality.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) recently held a series of community meetings and engagements with SMMEs to introduce the periodic maintenance project that is currently in site mobilisation and going into construction in August.

“The community has been incredibly positive about the opportunity and is working well with the Project Liaison Committee (PLC) to raise any issues or questions they may have with regard to the project,” said Daniel Govender, SANRAL Project Manager.

“We are also currently in the process of appointing the Project Liaison Officer (PLO) so that we can work with haste to get local labour trained and working on the project,” he said.

The scope of works entails the construction of a texture slurry over the full surfaced and recycled areas, temporary road markings, resurfacing of the road with a 20/10mm double seal and reinstatement of road markings and road studs upon completion along with traffic accommodation for the construction works.

“Some of the work we identified for subcontractors include the texture slurry, transport of seal stone, road markings, removal and installation of road studs, site inspection transport, site security services, traffic accommodation, clearing and grubbing, loading and hauling as well as clearing of drainage systems,” said Govender.

This project, which will be completed within the next six months, is the precursor to further upgrades on the N7, as part of SANRAL’s continued efforts to maintain world-class road infrastructure on this very popular Cape-Namibia route.

 

N2 night-time road closure at Thembalethu Bridge in George

sizwesethu.futshaneauthor2064views0comments

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

 

N2 night-time road closure at Thembalethu Bridge in George

 

Western Cape, 24July 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) would like to inform road users traveling on the N2 George, of planned night-time road closures at the Thembalethu Bridge, from 25 July to 4 August 2023.

“These closures are required to remove form work and steel beams used during the casting of the new bridge across the N2,” explained Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager.

During the lane closures, motorists will be able to use the off ramps at the bridge to gain access to the N2 on the other side, in order to continue their journey.  Closures are expected to be in place from 18:00 to 05:00. For two nights the closures will affect the eastbound traffic (direction Knysna) and for the other two nights it will affect the westbound traffic (direction Cape Town).

“We appeal to road users to reduce speed in the construction area and to be patient. We have opted to execute these works that necessitate a lane closure, under night time conditions, so as to minimise the inconvenience to road users,” said Theron.

 

SANRAL welcomes remarks by Minister Sihle Zikalala

sizwesethu.futshaneauthor649views0comments

MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL welcomes remarks by Minister Sihle Zikalala

Gauteng, 21 July 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) welcomes the remarks made by Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, concerning SANRAL’s commitment in meeting government’s mandate to improve and expand the country’s road infrastructure programme.

Minister Zikalala was appearing on the JJ Tabane’s ‘Power to Truth’ programme that was broadcast on ENCA on 18 July 2023.
“The President has announced that 88 projects have been gazetted as part of the Strategic Infrastructure Projects. One of those projects is the R15bn N2/N3 in KwaZulu-Natal. The second project is the two bridges that are being being constructed in the Eastern Cape. One of them is going to be the longest in Africa,” said Minister Zikalala.

Minister Zikalala pointed out that “SANRAL is all over” rolling out government’s infrastructure programme.
“We are moving to ensure the implementation of all transport and road projects. SANRAL is ahead and they are starting implementation in various parts of the country where they have announced their projects,” observed Minister Zikalala.

SANRAL head of marketing and communications, Vusi Mona, said the Minister’s comments were an endorsement of the good work the road agency continues to do to improve infrastructure in South Africa.

Gqeberha’s elderly roll back the years to dance in celebration of Madiba’s legacy

sizwesethu.futshaneauthor627views0comments

Gqeberha’s elderly roll back the years to dance in celebration of Madiba’s legacy

Eastern Cape, 19 July 2023: More than 250 elderly residents from Wells Estate and Coega broke into song and dance on Mandela Day as the local ward councillor’s office celebrated their contribution to South Africa’s struggle for democracy and the Gqeberha community.
A stunning winter’s day in Nelson Mandela Bay captured the mood perfectly as invited guests rolled back the years on Tuesday to turn the Wells Estate Multipurpose Community Hall auditorium into a dancefloor and pay tribute to Madiba’s legacy in grand style.

The event, organised by Ward 60 Councillor Thembinkosi Mafana with the support of the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), saw every member of the audience being gifted a winter goodie bag that included a beanie, scarf, socks and gloves.
They also each received a hearty meal of chicken, pap, squash and spinach.

“This is a special day for me,” said septuagenarian Christine Rheebok.

“It’s God who has brought us together today. I appreciate this so much. What we are getting today may seem small to others but it’s very big for us.”

She added the pensioners’ grant money was not enough to afford the goodie bag items and they were extremely grateful to SANRAL and Mafana for providing these.

The jovial atmosphere continued through the morning and well into the afternoon, with even residents in their eighties and nineties belying their years with impressive moves as the DJ filled the air with popular hits.

GRUB’S UP: The elderly residents at the Wells Estate function get ready to tuck into their lunch.

“You can see the smiles on their faces. They are happy in their hearts,” Mafana said.
He had asked himself some time back what could be done on Mandela Day to celebrate the ward’s elderly and with SANRAL’s backing had conceptualised the event.

“Our older people should be appreciated as we are their children,” he said.

One of the many highlights of the programme was an awards ceremony to honour the ward’s most senior residents, with trophies handed out in various categories for those aged 80 and older.

The emergence of 98-year-old Kanene Siximba from the packed audience brought the house down.
Born in 1925, Siximba has lived through two World Wars, the worst of apartheid and witnessed the dawn of democracy, and there was not a sullen face in the room as he accepted his award with a cheeky two-step.

Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL’s Southern region stakeholder relations co-ordinator, quipped that ailments like high blood pressure and diabetes were no match for the enthusiasm of the guests.

She said Mafana had approached SANRAL in April with his idea to celebrate the elderly and staff came on board for Mandela Day.
“We are here to enjoy the day with the elderly because we know that they were in the struggle. They have been deprived of many things, so we want them to enjoy themselves.”

SANRAL rallied to provide the goodie bags as well as the meals.

“We took the day off from building roads to celebrate our elderly. It’s a beautiful sunny day and we so pleased everyone is so happy.”

In his address, Eastern Cape politician Lulama Ngcukayitobi reminded the audience of Madiba’s now famous words: “A society that does not value its older people denies its roots and endangers its future.
“Let us strive to enhance their capacity to support themselves for as long as possible and, when they cannot do so anymore, to care for them.”

GOOD TIMES: Elderly residents dance and sing after receiving their goodie bags at the SANRAL-backed ward celebration in Wells Estate on Mandela Day.

98 NOT OUT: Kanene Siximba had guests in raptures when he went up to collect his award as the function for the elderly in Wells Estate

Traffic disruptions expected on N1 from Rigel Avenue to R21 Interchange, Northbound and Southbound Directions

sizwesethu.futshaneauthor2988views0comments

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Traffic disruptions expected on N1 from Rigel Avenue to R21 Interchange, Northbound and Southbound Directions

Pretoria, 18 July 2023 – The South Africa National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform motorists that traffic flow will be disrupted on the N1 national road between Rigel Avenue and the R21 Interchange in Gauteng Province as per the times and dates indicated below.

This disruption is required to allow the placement of pre-cast concrete beams over the N1 national road freeway for the construction of a new bridge for the doubling of Solomon Mahlangu Drive in Erasmusrand, Pretoria.

SANRAL advises that traffic flows will be restricted to two lanes in the northbound direction from the R21 Interchange to Rigel Avenue starting from 05h00 Saturday morning, 22 July 2023. In addition, motorists are advised there will be intermittent full closures in the northbound direction and traffic will be diverted onto the R21 while the contractor places a beam over the freeway.

“Once the beam is in place, the compulsory diversion will be removed and restricted traffic flow to two lanes will be allowed to allow congestion to subside. The process will be repeated through the morning and early afternoon until four (4) beams are all placed in position over the northbound carriageway,” said Alan Agaienz, SANRAL project manager in the northern region.

SANRAL further advises motorists that a very large lifting crane will be placed in position over three lanes of the southbound direction starting early Saturday morning at 05h30. The crane is set up for the entire operation and hence traffic flow in the southbound direction will be reduced to two lanes and will remain in place until 18h00 on Sunday, 23 July 2023. The flows in the southbound direction will be reduced to two lanes for the entire weekend operation.

“On Sunday at 08h00, the contractor will begin by placing a beam over the freeway in the southbound direction. During this time, the entire freeway will be diverted to Rigel Avenue until the beam is placed in position. Then the restricted southbound direction will be opened to traffic in the southbound direction to allow the congestion to subside. The process will be repeated through Sunday morning and early afternoon until four beams are all placed over the freeway in the southbound direction,” said Agaienz.

Once all beams have been placed, the crane will be dismantled. It is anticipated that the entire southbound direction will be fully open to traffic once again by about 18h00 Sunday night. There will be no restrictions to traffic in the northbound direction.

The closures may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions and other unscheduled problems on the day. The estimated schedule of the compulsory temporary deviations from the N1 national road are shown below.

These lane restrictions and intermittent closures of the N1 freeway will disrupt normal travel times for motorists travelling over the weekend, particularly on Saturday when both directions are affected.

SANRAL apologises for the inconvenience during this period and will continue to provide updates to road users as new information becomes available. The Agency takes its mandate seriously 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.

Motorists are advised to plan their trips accordingly, consider the alternative routes recommended, practice caution and obey the rules of the road. An alternative route for the northbound and southbound direction has been identified using the R21, Solomon Mahlangu Drive and Rigel Avenue.