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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL grows knowledge economy at Southern African Transport Conference

Gauteng, 14 July 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) flew the flag for the South African Institute of Civil Engineering (SAICE) by
leading the discussion on ‘Critical Thinking Through Project Development’ at the Southern African Transport Conference in Pretoria last week.

“At SANRAL we advocate for membership of professional associations and our membership of SAICE creates a platform for collaboration, skills transfer and knowledge sharing among
civil engineering professionals,” said Alan Robinson, SANRAL’s Network Planning Manager.

“As the past Chair of SAICE’s Transport Division and the portfolio lead for course development, I was privileged to lead a very knowledgeable SAICE team that developed the
content for the day. We demonstrated the importance of widening the engineer’s scope of thought through critical thinking.”

Robinson said this was to ensure all factors influencing designs were considered and to understand how each element fitted into the overall project.

He said, “Younger engineers must always question why they are doing what they are doing to understand how their work fits into the overall system.”

The discussion topics covered most aspects of transport planning including:

• Transport systems
• Sustainability
• Transport planning
• Geometric and road pavement designs

“Using critical thinking through all elements of project design encourages engineers to apply their minds. They need to fully understand ‘the question’ to formulate an appropriate
response, while being mindful not to work in silos,” Robinson added.

The conference, which took place from 8 to 11 July at the CSIR ICC in Pretoria, brought together thought leaders, policy makers, academics and captains of industry under the
theme ‘Upskilling and reskilling the transport industry for current and future challenges’.

The event attracts more than 700 delegates each year.

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MEDIA RELEASE

Lane closures on the N3 at Camperdown Interchange for southbound traffic

Pietermaritzburg – 15 July 2024: The off-ramp at Camperdown for southbound traffic (Durban bound) will be closed from 20h00 until 05h00 on both the nights of 23 and 24 July 2024.

This is to facilitate the tie-in of the interchange off-ramp to the newly constructed N3 southbound carriageway, the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) announced.

“Construction has now reached the stage between Camperdown Interchange and Dardanelles that the newly constructed southbound carriageway needs to be tied-in to the existing off-ramp at Camperdown Interchange,” said Thabiso Dladla, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The speed limit along the route has been reduced to 80kmph to improve the safety of the construction team and road users. Lane closures will be conducted in the evening to allow construction vehicles to safely enter and exit the work zone.

“Minor delays can be expected as a result of the lane closures. Motorists are urged to plan their trips accordingly and be vigilant along the construction site,” said Dladla.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

SANRAL alerts motorists to stop/go on N2 Section 16 from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction

Gqerberha, 15 July 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) has advised road users that a stop/go system has been implemented on the N2 Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (formerly Komga).

A periodic road maintenance project is currently underway in the area.

The stop/go system will be in place from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction from 12 July to 3 August 2024.

Motorists can expect 10-to-20-minute delays during the maintenance period.

Mbulelo Peterson SANRAL’s Southern Regional Manager, said, “Motorists should adhere to the warning signs, reduce speed when approaching the construction zones and plan their trips accordingly as there are no alternative routes available.”

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL works with strategic partners to enable maximal transformation on N2 Wild Coast Road project

Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, 11 July 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has provided a detailed update of its efforts to ensure meaningful participation by targeted enterprises on its flagship N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project.
Providing a progress report during a SANRAL small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) Indaba held at the Lusikisiki Resource Centre on 10 July, Nwabisa Gxumisa, SANRAL’s District Office Manager, said, “SANRAL is happy with the opportunities that have benefitted local targeted enterprises on our N2WCR programme thus far, as well as the economic spin-offs that have been presented for the benefit of the communities. However, we have also identified gaps that inhibit us from surpassing our transformation goals.”

Gxumisa said that SANRAL had been working with strategic partners, including Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Developmental Funding Institutions (DFIs) to ensure that the interventions intended for SMMEs are tailored to this sector for them to be fully effective.
“We need to have various funding models suitable to the SMME sector to enable access to funding and sustainable growth,” said Gxumisa, adding that some of the current solutions for SMMEs were not being fully leveraged due to cumbersome barriers.

The Mayor of Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, Councillor Nonkosi Pepping, said that the legacy of the N2WCR project would be vast and was already being realised by the local community. She stressed that there is room for more transformation on the project. “We were happy that the engineers working at Msikaba Bridge are local engineers, and that locals are benefiting from these projects. But we want to see more participation by designated groups, including qualified and capable youth, women and people with disability.”

SANRAL invited the likes of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), Standard Bank, Indyebo Fund, Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and Bell Equipment to engage on their solutions intended for emerging enterprises.

Kgolane Thulare, from the DSBD’s Business Infrastructure Unit, said, “It is important for these collaborations to occur between departments in order to reach our transformation goals,” he said while outlining the range of programmes the department is implementing to assist SMMEs, including their Craft Customised Programme, Shared Economic Infrastructure Facility and the Market Access Support programme. He also outlined the financial and non-financial support provided by its implementing agencies, SEFA and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) respectively. “Together with SANRAL we are also working on a SANRAL projects cluster tool to be able to devise streamlined interventions for SMMEs,” he added.

Siphethuxolo Wulana, an Investment Officer from SEFA, outlined a range of funding solutions intended for SMMEs, including the Township and Rural Enterprise Programme, the Youth Challenge Fund, Small Manufacturers Enterprise Programme and the Inyamazane Fund (for Military Veterans), which range between R50 000 to R15 million. Wulama said that SMMEs subcontracted on SANRAL projects could also benefit from SEFA’s Asset Finance and Contract Finance solutions.

Lungisile Mkhethwa, Relationship Manager at Standard Bank, said that relationship banking, working capital, and vehicle and asset finance are intended to assist SMMEs. “It is important for us as a bank to perform proper due diligence before providing capital. Our relationship banking offering assists small business owners with sound financial management.”

Lusanda Kali, of Indyebo Fund, a short-term capital provider specialising in solutions for SMMEs, said that subcontractors on SANRAL projects can benefit from their Purchase Order Funding of up to R2.5 million.

Thando Dlanjwa, of the ECDC’s Rural Development and Enterprise Development unit, encouraged the SMMEs to take advantage of their Rural and Enterprise Finance, Jobs Stimulus Fund and Imvaba Fund intended for cooperatives. “We appreciate this road infrastructure development programme by SANRAL which will facilitate economic activity and boost the socio-economic outlook of this area,” he added.

Fundile Ntsinde, of Bell Equipment, said that its new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SANRAL is intended to enable access to earthmoving machinery because access to funding is often a barrier for SMMEs. “We are aiming to leverage existing partnerships with DBSA, SEFA, Small Business Development and commercial banks to enhance the financial service offering and access to finance for small contractors,” he explained. He added that their three funding options available to SMMEs are cash or bank financing, rental with the option to purchase and an instalment sales agreement.

Reflecting on lessons learnt thus far, the N2WCR Business Forum Secretary, Lwandile Gcume, said that stakeholder management and cooperation among business stakeholders was vital for the N2WCR project’s success. “Social facilitation is important to address any contentious issues before any project can commence. SANRAL must appoint more social facilitators than are currently on the ground. There is also a need for local SMMEs, particularly grade 1s and 2s, to be capacitated and for SANRAL to consider relaxing some of the stringent criteria to enable their participation. We are happy that SANRAL has heeded our call and appointed an SMME Mentor for the project. This will greatly assist,” he said.

Gxumisa said that SANRAL’s R20 billion+ N2WCR flagship project stretching from the Gonubie Interchange outside East London, through the 112km greenfields from Ndwalane to Mthamvuna River on the border with KwaZulu-Natal, is anticipated to produce 8 000 direct jobs and around 28 000 indirect job opportunities.

Business stakeholders requested for more grant funding to be provided than loans and for relaxation of the stringent criteria that continues to exclude them from meaningful participation. SANRAL was also requested to put out more work packages on the Mtentu side of the project within the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality because more work is currently happening in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality.

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Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of the SANRAL. For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 5305 or pressoffice@nra.co.za

MEDIA RELEASE

Labour and SMMEs to benefit from road infrastructure development in Dr Beyers Naude Municipality

Caption: Stakeholders at the introduction of slope stabilisation project in Graaff-Reinet

Graaff Reinet, 5 July 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced the introduction of a road infrastructure development project on the R63 outside Graaff-Reinet in the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

The slope stabilisation project at Ouberg Pass Cutting was introduced during the hosting of a stakeholder engagement session at the Alex Laing Hall in Kroonvale, Graaff-Reinet this week (Wednesday).

The initiative underscores SANRAL’s commitment to enhancing road safety and socio-economic benefits in the form of job opportunities for local labour and subcontracting of targeted enterprises. Stakeholders included small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), women, youth, people with disabilities and military veterans.

The project involves the installation of a rockfall netting secured by rock dowels in a specified arrangement, securing large protruding and smaller unstable boulders and application of shotcrete over layers within the mudstone and dolerite showing evidence of disintegration. Catch fences will also be installed at the slope summit.

The project has a contract period of 24 months, including a three-month mobilisation period. Dr Beyers Naude Municipality Mayor, Willem Safers, called for unity of the people whenever policies are implemented.

“SANRAL has policies and I’m pleading with SANRAL to implement your policies and everyone, whether they are from the municipality or members of an SMME, must comply. If we establish structures for communication or coordination, let’s use them and not deviate because if we do, trouble starts,” said Safers

“Dr Beyers Naude is the third largest municipality in terms of size,” said Safers. “When we talk about it, we are talking about moving from Graaff-Reinet to Willowmore, Baviaans, Nieu Bethesda – tens and hundreds of kilometres, which is mostly gravel roads. Whenever you’re going to employ, take the vastness of this municipality into consideration.”

Contract Engineer, Johan Swanepoel, said the project is highly specialised and a lot of blasting should be expected. “There are not a lot of contractors who specialise in slope stabilisation. We will create a drop zone for rocks falling from the top. The road needs to be open for traffic 24 hours even if it’s only one lane, except during blasting,” said Swanepoel.

A significant portion of the project’s budget is dedicated to empowering local labour and targeted enterprises. Targeted labour which will prioritize women, youth, people with disabilities and military veterans will receive a minimum of 6% of the project. A minimum 30% of the final contract value is earmarked for targeted enterprises, including a minimum of 2% for CIDB 1 and 2 grading and another 2% for CIDB 3 and 4 grading.

SANRAL Stakeholder Relations Coordinator for the Southern Region, Welekazi Ndika, went to great lengths explaining the principles for project liaison and sourcing of labour.

“Your labour should be managed because if you don’t, it eats into your profits. I hear some SMMEs don’t pay their labourers bargaining council rates of R41,75 per hour. If you don’t do that, you’ll be in breach. Don’t rob your labourers, it will come back to bite you.”

The community was cautioned against stalling the project and the financial implications it brings. “Don’t drag SANRAL into your community issues,” said Ndika. “The problems of the previous projects should also not be brought into this one because this is a new project with a new project manager.”

SMMEs were told about the availability of pre-tender training provided by SANRAL. This will enable them to compile tender documents without payment to third parties and manage their projects on site.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Full closure to accommodate blasting alongside the N3 near the Hammarsdale Interchange

Durban, 4 July 2024 – The N3 will be fully closed on 18 July 2024, between 14h30 and 15h00 to facilitate blasting next to the N3 near to Hammarsdale Interchange, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The N3 closure will take place between the M13/N3 split and the Hammarsdale Interchange. Closures will also be necessary on Meadway Road at Thousand Hills Street intersection which is in the vicinity of the blasting activities,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), will monitor the diversion of traffic during all sessions.

The R103 will be available as an alternative route during the blast. Substantial delays are, however, likely as the R103 is unable to handle the same volume of traffic as the N3.

The closure may need to be adjusted, depending on weather conditions on the day. If that happens, a second notice with information of the new time will be issued.

“We ask motorists to be patient during the closure and to plan and adjust their trips to accommodate the closure while still adhering to speed limits. SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during the ongoing road construction,” said Lowe.

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MEDIA RELEASE

Learners test engineering skills through bridge building competition in Gqeberha

Caption: Winners of 2024 Bridge Building Competition run by iGEMS in partnership with SANRAL

Gqeberha, 2 July 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) hosted a Bridge Building Competition for learners in Grade 11 and Grade 12 at Labco in Struandale, Gqeberha.

Twenty-seven learners put their heads together in separate teams, drawn from 12 schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality and one from Paterson in the Sundays River Valley Municipality.

The competition is run through Incubating Great Engineering Minds (iGEMS) and has 35 learners selected from maths and science classes. The idea is to instil a passion for engineering, which would encourage them to become engineers in various fields.

Every year they meet to put calculations and angles together to build a bridge from wooden pieces that is then tested for strength and stability using weights.
Tronél Candiotes-Strydom, a professional Civil Engineering Technologist for GIBB Consulting Engineers, has been a facilitator for the competition since its inception in 2015. The competition was suspended for two years during the Covid-19 period.

‘I’m an external assistant for iGEMS,” said Candiotes-Strydom.“ I get involved with the the civil engineering aspects of the competition because I’m in the industry. What I like about the programme is working with a small group of the kids to expose them to what a future in Civil Engineering could look like. I was so surprised the first time I got involved, that most of them are prefects, headboys and headgirls in their schools. The excitement from SANRAL’s side is getting involved in moulding the future of the leaners and giving back to community.

Tronél enabled the learners to see the fun side of the competition and encouraged them to work as a team. “We give them the basic building material and tell them that we are going to build this bridge together and test it. The main learning outcome is the realisation of what could be created with very little resources”, said Candiotes-Strydom. Operations Coordinator at Unity in Africa Foundation, which runs iGEMS, said, “The key objective of the iGEMS Education-to-Employment Programme is to increase the number of technical and engineering graduates from disadvantaged communities in the Nelson Mandela Metro and then place them in permanent employment. This is critical to both the region and South Africa’s economic development.”

SANRAL’s Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator, Michelle Ah Shene, expressed the roads agency’s excitement at seeing the growth and development of the prgramme since it began nine years ago.

“The scholars have developed in a way that they could use these skills which is science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) as a foundation for future careers in the STEM field. We are therefore looking forward to the future involvement of SANRAL in this programme,” said Ah Shene.

Then it was time to test the strength of the seven bridges, with some collapsing within seconds. The first prize went to The Forward Thinkers with 68.6 points. Lungile Masimini from Ethembeni Enrichment Centre said that co-operation mattered, in reaching the top spot.

“I didn’t come with the mentality that ‘last year I did this so everybody should listen to me’. I gave my team space to think for themselves and there was dedication amongst us. In the end, teamwork made us the winners,” Masimini said.

Learners were given four hours to build the bridge and for the first time since 2015, no penalties were issued for not following the engineering brief.

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