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MEDIA RELEASE

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga inspects R340 million upgrade of R22 in
KwaNgwanase Town, Kwazulu-Natal

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga at the official opening of the R22 in KwaNgwanase with iNkosi Tembe of
KwaNgwanase and MEC of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison in KZN

KwaNgwanase Town, 3 May 2024 – Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga officially opened the R340 million upgraded R22 in KwaNgwanase Town in the uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, undertaken by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL).

“Today we are again making history in the most rural part of South Africa, where under normal circumstances there would not be such development. This section of the road through KwaNgwanase Town was upgraded from one lane to two lanes per direction by SANRAL. This construction led to people being employed, skills were developed,SMMEs were given the opportunity to construct the road. With any road that we build as the Department of Transport, it is not only for the transportation of goods and the transportation people, but it is also about the growth of the economy,” said Minister Chikunga.

Minister Chikunga inspected the 3km stretch of the R22 which included a 2.8km bypass road which was completed in June 2023. The work through town includes additional travel lanes and new sidewalks, while the 2.8km IYK bypass road was upgraded to surfaced standard as part of this project. This road will provide improved long-term local access to the community.“This is a state-of-the-art road, the quality is superb and therefore we do not anticipate any potholes in the near future. As we construct roads as SANRAL, we also budget for maintenance and therefore ours is a complete package of construction and maintenance,” added Minister Chikunga.

The Minister added that there will be further construction with the building of two dual lanes coming into and exiting the town creating further jobs for local communities.

Stressing the importance of the R22, Minister Chikunga said: “This is a national road because it now connects South Africa to Mozambique, and today this road is open for transportation of people and goods, and for use for the growth of the economy in the area. This road will also attract tourists to this area as we have the Smangaliso Wetlands here which is one of the largest wetlands in the world.”

Other benefits to the community include the construction of 52 market stalls where some of the informal traders within the R22 road reserve are to be relocated. With regard to the stalls built by SANRAL, Minister Chikunga said that the Agency places much significance on the informal traders as they are the people who are the future of South Africa’s economy. The manner in which these have been built is for the safety of these traders. We know that there are people here and they too deserve better.”

Commenting on opportunities that were created for local communities, the Minister stressed that “R94m was spent on Small Medium and Micro enterprises (SMME), a portion of which has gone to women and persons living with disabilities owned companies. It’s been a comprehensive package that takes into account not only all vulnerable people but also the target groups including young people, women, people living with disabilities.

“It’s not only about construction of roads but about skills development, job opportunities being created, it’s about people who own companies who sometimes join on Grade 1 but by the end of the project they’ve improved on their grades.”

Assessing the progress on the Operation Vala Zonke Pothole Repair Programme in the uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, Minister Chikunga said that “not only should roads be trafficable, they should also be free of potholes because they are too costly for road users, leading to vehicle damages and accidents. Therefore, the work that is being done today is to ensure that our roads are trafficable.”

Regarding contracts for local SMMEs and subcontractors, SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana said “434 labour was employed with a total spend of R59m. This project stimulated the local economy. One of the most important aspects of the R22 is that it connects South Africa with Mozambique at the Kosi Bay border post. We need to expand these roads because this area includes the world famous Smangaliso Wetlands which attracts many tourists from within our country and abroad”.

At the public engagement, Minister Chikunga distributed bicycles to learners from surrounding schools as part of the Shova Kalula Bicycle Handover Project.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Traffic disrupted by taxi operators’ strike in Eastern Cape towns

Gqeberha, 2 May 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise road users that a strike by taxi operators has disrupted
traffic on most national roads in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

Taxi operators blocked the roads using their minibus taxis and trucks, over alleged non-payment of scholar transport claims since the start of the year.

The strike has affected learners, workers and ordinary motorists travelling to other centres. The blocked roads include the N2 and R63 west of Qonce, R72 between East London and Tsholomnqa, N2 outside Butterworth, N2 at Colosa Junction outside Dutywa, R61 at Cofimvaba and the R56 Khowa, formerly known as Elliot. In some areas, tyres were burnt on the road as a form of protest.

Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, has confirmed that there are challenges, some technical while others are beyond the department’s control. “Some emanate from the ongoing discussions with the taxi industry where we were pleading with them back in January/February to sign contracts to facilitate payments. However, there was stalling on their side which partly contributed to the problems we are faced with now. It is not related to the
unavailability of funds.”

SANRAL apologises to motorists for any inconvenience that the strike has caused and hopes that the relevant parties are able to reach an agreement so that the blocked roads are re-opened.

Motorists are asked to use alternative roads where possible.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

SANRAL N2 and N3 EB Cloete upgrades and road closures

Durban, 2 May 2024 – Placement of bridge beams for the new King Cetshwayo Bridge on the M13 over the N2 will result in temporary road closures, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

The road closures will take place as indicated below:

• North Bound Closure: 20h00, Saturday 11 May 2024 to 04h00, Sunday 12 May 2024.
• South Bound Closure: 20h00, Sunday 12 May 2024 to 04h00, Monday 13 May 2024.

“This major road network is and has been under major stress for a number of years, as traffic volumes have exceeded the original design capacity of the EB Cloete Interchange and its feeder roads. The King Cetshwayo Bridge was built in the late 1960s and now cannot accommodate the extra lanes required on the N2 below it,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

This current work forms part of a major national road network upgrade that is being undertaken throughout the province to relieve traffic congestion. Both the N2 Northern and Southern sections between EB Cloete Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) and Umgeni Road Interchange will be closed on Saturday and Sunday nights for eight hours.

“These closures are to enable the placement of bridge beams for the new King Cetshwayo Bridge on the M13 over the N2 near Westwood Mall as part of SANRAL’s major upgrade of the N2 and the EB Cloete Interchange,” said Lowe.

As required for the safety of both road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation plans are in place and people using this road will have noticed that signage, barriers and traffic calming is already being installed.

Trucks and other heavy vehicles are advised to try and delay trips over this period and/or find suitable staging areas over this timeframe to avoid major congestions. Public transport operators are asked to ensure that their drivers are aware of route closures and alternatives affecting their commuter routings.

Light vehicles as well as emergency services and traffic management are advised to make use of alternative routes.

 

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Stop/Go on N2 Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction, in the Eastern
Cape

Gqerberha, 30 April 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that a Stop/Go system has been implemented on the N2
Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (formerly Komga), where a periodic road maintenance project is currently underway.

The 4km one-way Stop/Go system will be in place from Mooiplaas to Qumrha TJunction from 3 May to 10 May 2024. Motorists can expect a 10- to 20-minute delay at
the Stop/Go.

“The road maintenance activities include regular maintenance, surface repairs, addressing small damages, resealing roads, and adjusting textures. While these tasks may cause temporary inconvenience, their significant long-term advantage is in maintaining the infrastructure,” said Mr Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Regional Manager.

SANRAL appeals to motorists to adhere to the warning signs, to reduce speed when approaching the construction zones and to plan their trips accordingly as there are no surfaced alternative routes available.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL BUILDING ON 30 YEARS DEMOCRACY 

Pretoria, 27 April 2024 – On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic dispensation, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to join the rest of the nation in celebrating Freedom Day.

“Today, we commemorate our democracy that was won through the valiant struggle and dedication of our people. South Africa today is an exemplar of democracy and human rights”, said Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s General Manager: Communications and Marketing.

Mr Mona added that “over the past three decades, SANRAL has been part of the democratic dispensation that has shown commitment towards accelerating the country’s economic growth and recovery. In so doing, we together with government have worked tirelessly towards improving the welfare of all South Africans.’

“As SANRAL we aspire to contribute to the country’s economic development and will pursue growth that transforms our people’s lives and livelihood.

The 30th anniversary celebration is a timely reminder that SANRAL will persevere in creating an infrastructure sector that is truly inclusive, transformed and one which reflects the diversity of our country. We are committed in providing equal access to opportunities and resources for all South African, especially to those who were excluded or marginalized during the dark days of apartheid”, said Mr Mona.

Together with government SANRAL wants to build a prosperous nation that all South Africans can rely on and be proud of.

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UPDATED TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Huguenot Tunnel open to all traffic

Western Cape, 27 April 2024 – The Huguenot Tunnel is now fully open to all traffic in both directions, following a temporary closure for heavy vehicles, due to strong winds on the viaduct (long bridge-like structure) leading to and from the tunnel, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

The wind has significantly subsided to acceptable levels.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and notify road users the moment the situation changes,” said Mike Vinello-Lippert, SANRAL’s Project Manager for the Huguenot Tunnel.

SANRAL appeals to road users to exercise caution as wind speeds can fluctuate and will keep the public updated on the tunnel operations.

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MEDIA RELEASE

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga assesses SANRAL’s R3 billion road infrastructure programme in the Buffalo City Metro

Caption: An aerial view of the Tshoxa 1 Bridge near the Buffalo River that won a South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) national award for the construction category in 2023.

Qonce, Eastern Cape, 26 April 2024 – Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has applauded the socio-economic impact of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL’s) R3 billion road infrastructure investment in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) and surrounding areas during an oversight visit today.

The Minister’s visit covered four SANRAL projects: the N2 Green River to Buffalo River, valued at R655 million; the N2 Belstone and Breidbach interchanges, valued at R438 million; Kwa-Tshatshu Community Development project, valued at R24 million and the Kwa-Rhayi Community Development project, valued at R30.8 million.

These projects have generated more than 1000 jobs with around R155 million spent on labour, 230 small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have been subcontracted for around R334 million, while over 1 200 people have received theoretic and practical training with a budget of close to R10 million.

The Minister led a delegation including Members of the Eastern Cape Executive Council, the Executive Mayor of BCMM and Mayors of surrounding municipalities, traditional leadership and SANRAL Board members to assess the status of the projects.

Speaking at the Tshoxa Bridge 1, Minister Chikunga said, “I am very happy with the work that I see here. You can’t build such structures without people. Our work is labour intensive so that you employ people and teach them skills.”

Minister Chikunga was particularly impressed with the Tshoxa 1 Bridge near the Buffalo River that won a South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) national award for the construction category in 2023, adding that this was testament to the world-class engineering excellence for which SANRAL has become known.

At the Tshatshu Community Development Project, SANRAL’s efforts to transform the road construction sector was evident, as the constructed work is being done by 31 local SMMEs, 17 of which are owned by women.

“When you come to the Eastern Cape, there is one thing that SANRAL does and that is to ensure community development projects happen. It is not just about road building. It is about investment, because investors will see the good roads and decide to open their companies here, which further aids job creation.

Minister Chikunga also received updates on the progress of several other SANRAL projects in BCMM and surrounding areas:

• A R1.3 billion improvement of the National Route R63 Sections 15 and 16 Bhisho to N6/R63 Intersection;
• The upgrading of National Route R63 between km 21.7 and the N2 past Qumrha (km 43.64), valued at R983;
• The reseal on National Route N2 of Section 16 from Mooiplaas (km 49.9) to Qumrha T-junction (km 70.2), valued at R159 million; and
• The R10.5 million upgrade of 1.34km of the Ginsberg Road to a surfaced road.

“The work of the Department of Transport, through our implementing agency, SANRAL, has contributed a major financial injection to the economy of the Metro and the Eastern Cape at large. Through this vast road infrastructure development, we not only enabled a conducive environment for the transportation of people and goods, we have also created tangible opportunities for communities to earn a living, while training, upskilling and developing our emerging contractors so that they may compete alongside the big players and to self-sustain beyond these projects,” said Chikunga.

Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, expressed his gratitude for the significant investment that SANRAL was making in the Eastern Cape.

“On behalf of the Provincial Government, I want to thank SANRAL for turning our province into a construction site. It has helped to create jobs and develop small contractors. Some of the contractors I have engaged with started out as Grade 1 and some are now Grade 5 and Grade 6. That is called development,” he said.

Furthermore, Minister Chikunga interacted with learners from schools in the Metro and surrounding municipalities through the department’s Shova-Kalula bicycle programme which is aimed at assisting learners who walk more than 3km but less than 5km to and from school, with non-motorised transport solutions.

 

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

R21 closed between Nellmapius Drive and Olifantsfontein Interchange for Eskom powerline repairs

Gauteng, 26 April 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to warn motorists that the R21 national road will be closed in both directions, between Nellmapius Drive and the Olifantsfontein Interchange, this weekend.

The closure is due to emergency repairs that Eskom has to effect to overhead power lines that cross the R21. The closure will be in place as follows:

• Saturday, 27 April 2024: 06h00 until 18h00
• Sunday, 28 April 2024: 06h00 until 12h00

“We appeal to road users to avoid this section of the road and make use of the M57 which is an alternative route between Nellmapius Drive and the Olifantsfontein Interchange. SANRAL apologises to road users for any inconvenience caused by the closure,” said Progress Hlahla, SANRAL’s Northern Region Manager.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Huguenot Tunnel closed to all heavy vehicles due to strong wind

Western Cape, 26 April 2024 – The Huguenot Tunnel has been temporarily closed to heavy vehicles, from around 10h30 this morning due to strong winds on the viaduct (long bridge-like structure) leading to and from the tunnel, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

The wind speed is currently around 70km/h with wind gusts reaching 90km/h.

“As a precautionary measure, we are closing the tunnel for all heavy vehicles as well as light motor vehicles carrying caravans and trailers. As of 15h00, 26 April 2024, the wind speeds remain high and the tunnel remains closed. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and notify road users the moment the situation changes,” said Mike Vinello-Lippert, SANRAL’s Project Manager for the Huguenot Tunnel.

Provincial traffic is on hand to direct traffic via alternative routes.

“We appeal to road users to exercise caution under these circumstances or to avoid the area where possible, especially given the volatility of wind speeds today,” said Vinello-Lippert.

SANRAL will keep road users updated on the tunnel operations.

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MEDIA ALERT

Transport Minister to visit SANRAL projects in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

Eastern Cape, 23 April 2024 –Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga will oversee the progress of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) road infrastructure initiatives in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) on Friday, 26 April 2024.

The Minister will be accompanied by officials including the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Executive Council Members,  the Executive Mayor of BCMM, surrounding municipality Mayors, traditional leaders and SANRAL Board members.

SANRAL has dedicated a substantial investment totalling R3 billion in the Buffalo City Metro’s Road infrastructure development, aiming to bolster the region’s connectivity and accessibility.

The Minister’s itinerary includes inspections of the following SANRAL projects:

• N2 Belstone and Breidbach interchanges construction along the N2 near Qonce.
• Road improvement along National Route N2 from the Green River to the Buffalo River, adjacent to the Engen fuel station exit towards Ngqushwa (Peddie).
• Ginsberg Road Community Development Project in close proximity to Qonce.

Your attendance is highly appreciated as we witness the transformative impact of these projects firsthand.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

1. Project Inspection

Date: Friday, 26 April 2024

Time: 09h30 – 11h00

Location: N2 Breidbach Interchange (for project inspection of the N2 Breidbach and

Belstone Interchanges, N2 Green River to Buffalo River project and the Ginsberg Road community development project)

2. Main Community Imbizo Programme

Date: Friday, 26 April 2024

Time: 11h00 – 15h00

Venue: Bulembu Airport, KwaNoncampa village, Qonce, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

RSVP: Jenay Petrus on 081 746 79 OR Jenay.Petrus@fticonsulting.com

_____________________________________________________________

Media Contacts:

Collen Msibi

National Spokesperson: Ministry of Transport

Cell: 066 476 9015

 

Khuselwa Rantjie

Spokesperson: Eastern Cape Premier

Cell: 082 728 7476

 

Lwando Mahlasela

Media Relations Manager: SANRAL

Cell: 082 440 5305

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