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MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL kickstarts multi-billion rand road construction projects after Board approves Interim Preferential Procurement Policy

Pretoria, 29 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) will today (Wednesday, 29 November 2023) resume procurement for road construction projects as 86 tenders are expected to be advertised. SANRAL’s Chief Executive Officer, Reginald Demana, has announced that the national roads agency is getting back to business after tenders worth billions of rands were stalled due to a legal impasse between SANRAL and some construction companies.

High priority tenders

Demana said as part of the retender process, SANRAL has reprioritised some of the less complex previously advertised tenders related to consulting engineer appointments and contractor appointments for asset preservation projects. These will be subjected to a shortened retender period to enable their closing by the 14th December 2023, thus enabling SANRAL to commence with tender evaluations during the December period so as to get projects back on track as fast as possible.
“We are making good on our promise to the road construction industry and the South African public that we would move as fast as possible to overcome the legal challenges to our Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) and get the industry back on track,” said Mr Demana.

Why SANRAL is here
The readvertisement of tenders, scheduled to start from today, is the first step toward getting the road construction industry back to normal after all SANRAL tenders were cancelled following the SANRAL Board’s withdrawal of the Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) which it had adopted in May 2023. The SANRAL Board announced on 24 October 2023 that it had withdrawn the PPP after several construction companies launched legal challenges against the policy.

The withdrawal of the policy was informed by SANRAL prioritising business continuity as it was clear then that with the mounting legal challenges, SANRAL could not put out any work to tender without attracting same. In the interest of avoiding protracted legal battles – which could easily derail SANRAL from fulfilling its core mandate of building and maintaining national roads – and ensuring that the construction industry continues to work, SANRAL Board’s decided to withdraw the policy while at the same
time committing the roads agency to move speedily to consult interested and affected parties on a proposed interim PPP.
It also needs to be said that following the Constitutional Court ruling of 16 February 2022, the determination of a procurement policy was firmly placed within the domain of the individual organs of state – something which in the first place gave rise to SANRAL coming up with the procurement policy that became the subject of court challenges.

Commitment to transformation
SANRAL has been at pains to emphasize that the withdrawal of the policy was no sign of capitulation. It was a pragmatic decision taken to ensure that the procurement of goods and services and service delivery are not interrupted. Themba Mhambi, SANRAL’s Board Chairperson, said: “Our democracy is underpinned by transformation. If there is no transformation, we will fail as a country and organisation. The only way to achieve equality is for SANRAL to make purposeful moves to expand wealth-creation opportunities among black businesses.”

Public participation process
Following the withdrawal of its PPP, SANRAL conducted a series of countrywide public consultation sessions during which numerous verbal and written submissions were made to the roads agency to consider in the formulation of its interim PPP. After considering the inputs of interested and affected parties during the public consultation process which ended last Tuesday, 21 November, the SANRAL Board yesterday adopted the interim policy (which is available on the roads agency’s website www.nra.co.za).

“The SANRAL Board is satisfied that it has taken into account the necessary considerations for the adoption of the Interim PPP, with meaningful, targeted and deliberate consultations with interested and affected parties across the country. We have heard the cries for more aggressive transformation from black business and noted the objections and push-back from other fronts. We remain steadfast in our resolve to ramp up wealth-creation for black contractors, while at the same time being mindful of the importance of working with the big construction companies as we collectively develop South Africa’s economy,” said Mr Demana.
The roads agency started with the public consultation roadshows, which included both contact and virtual sessions, in the Western Cape and Northern Cape on 31 October 2023. It then hosted consultations in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and concluded in Gauteng on Friday 17 November 2023, with written comments on the draft interim policy extended to 21 November 2023.

The public consultations were well attended and all oral input as well as the 162 written comments received were considered in determining the way forward, to enable SANRAL to move forward on the much-needed road infrastructure projects across the country.
The advertising and adjudication of tenders will continue whilst SANRAL will also be forging ahead in pursuit of a final Preferential Procurement Policy. This will require further consultation with the industry and SANRAL remains committed to giving effect to this process.

Public Procurement Bill
Meanwhile, SANRAL said it has taken note of the Public Procurement Bill deliberations currently unfolding before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance.

“The Treasury revisions and submissions on the Bill, in particular the measures through which an organ of state can provide for preference, resonate with SANRAL. These measures include setting aside specific contracts for preferred groups, applying a points system to provide for preference, using sub-contracting as a condition of tender, applying thresholds for local production and content, and making set-asides mandatory. Some of these elements were contained in our contested procurement policy. We hope the Bill will soon be finalized and we will all have a clear understanding of the broader framework within which we must procure,” said Demana.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Long-term lane closure of N3 Southbound on the Cliffdale Road overpass

Durban, 26 November 2023 – The shoulder on the N3 Southbound (Durban-bound) will be closed from 4 December 2023 to approximately 30 March 2024 for the construction of the temporary on-ramp at Cliffdale Road overpass, which is part of the N3 Key Ridge to Hammarsdale upgrade project, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“A temporary lane closure affecting the shoulder and slow lane on the N3 Durban-bound will take place on 4 December 2023, between 20h00 and 04h30, to place concrete barriers on the road shoulder.

“Following the placing of the concrete barriers, the left-hand shoulder on the N3 Southbound will remain closed from the Cliffdale Road overpass for a length of 500m from 4 December 2023 to approximately 30 March 2024,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Specialist.

The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team, will manage and monitor traffic during the shoulder closure.

The slow, middle and fast lanes of the N3 will still be fully open to traffic during construction of the temporary on-ramp.

“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. Motorists are urged to be patient during the closures and to plan and adjust their trips to ensure they arrive at their destinations on time while adhering to sign posted speed limits,” said Lowe.

SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience during these road upgrades.

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Reconstruction of the slow lane on N3 from Sanctuary Road to Link Road

Pietermaritzburg, 24 November 2023 – The slow lane on the N3 between Sanctuary and Link Roads will be closed for reconstruction, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced. Remedial work along the Northbound carriageway including isolated sections on the Southbound carriageway will commence on Monday, 27 November until Wednesday, 13 December 2023 and continue after the holiday period on 15 January 2024.

“The excessive diesel spillage on the Northbound carriageway between Sanctuary Road and the Peter Brown on-ramp has led to deformation and potholes on the existing road surface, posing a danger to the public,” said Thabiso Dladla, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

Both the Northbound and Southbound carriageways will be restricted to two lanes as of 27 November 2023 during the day, and reduced further to a single lane at night, between 18h00 and 04h00 up until 13 December 2023. This will allow the contractor to commence and complete the remedial works.

Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will be on hand to assist with traffic control.

The alternative route for light motor vehicles only during this period, is as follows:

1. Old Howick Road (R103)

Although not deemed necessary, motorists travelling to and from Durban can use the R103 as an alternate route.

All vehicles above 8-ton mass MAY NOT use the R103 and will have to allow extra travelling time.

“We appeal to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling past the construction work zones. Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly and to make provision for the additional travel time,” said Dladla.

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Reconstruction of the slow lane on N3 from Sanctuary Road to Link Road

Pietermaritzburg, 24 November 2023 – The slow lane on the N3 between Sanctuary and Link Roads will be closed for reconstruction, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced. Remedial work along the Northbound carriageway including isolated sections on the Southbound carriageway will commence on Monday, 27 November until Wednesday, 13 December 2023 and continue after the holiday period on 15 January 2024.

“The excessive diesel spillage on the Northbound carriageway between Sanctuary Road and the Peter Brown on-ramp has led to deformation and potholes on the existing road surface, posing a danger to the public,” said Thabiso Dladla, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

Both the Northbound and Southbound carriageways will be restricted to two lanes as of 27 November 2023 during the day, and reduced further to a single lane at night, between 18h00 and 04h00 up until 13 December 2023. This will allow the contractor to commence and complete the remedial works.
Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will be on hand to assist with traffic control.
The alternative route for light motor vehicles only during this period, is as follows:

1. Old Howick Road (R103)
Although not deemed necessary, motorists travelling to and from Durban can use the R103 as an alternate route.

All vehicles above 8-ton mass MAY NOT use the R103 and will have to allow extra travelling time.

“We appeal to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling past the construction work zones. Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly and to make provision for the additional travel time,” said Dladla.

MEDIA RELEASE
N14 circles in Kathu support industrial development in the Northern Cape

Kathu, Northern Cape, 24 November 2023: As the Northern Cape Government intensifies its drive for Industrialisation, particularly with the progress of the Kathu Industrial Park, the upgrades to three intersections on the N14 between Olifantshoek and Kathu are of cardinal importance, both for improved mobility and road safety.

This according to South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) Project Manager, Friedl van der Merwe, who is currently completing a R60 million upgrade project with three intersections on the N14 in Kathu.
He said at the Kathu South circle there is a growing industrial development with a significant heavy vehicle fleet going through the roundabout every day.

“We have increased the size of both roundabouts to accommodate abnormal load vehicles, requiring a wider turning circle than regular traffic and allowance was made in the construction programme for the additional work.”

Construction is now nearly complete with only asphalt assessment to be done, as part of the acceptance control process.
“We are mindful of the traffic impact and inconvenience associated with road works, and to mitigate this, the roundabouts have been opened, with traffic accommodation in place,” said Van der Merwe.

While Kathu is a relatively small town, the increased mining activity in the region significantly increases freight traffic which has to be integrated with the regular traffic volumes. The use of roundabouts makes a huge difference in improving mobility, traffic flow and safety.
The Northern Cape Growth and Development Plan outlines a clear strategy that prioritises the province’s industrial agenda, which also responds to the President’s call for infrastructure development to spearhead the country’s economic recovery post-COVID.
In line with this, the N14, also referred to as the Industrial Development Corridor, is a critical artery that serves as a foundation for industrial expansion and development across the Northern Cape, with development of the Kathu Industrial Park being central to this objective.

This industrial park and other similar economic zones are key to driving the province’s evolving economic landscape, all geared to support the Northern Cape’s vision of being a modern, growing and successful province.
“The economic impact of these road safety upgrades to the intersections on the N14 cannot be understated. To date they have yielded approximately nearly 90 local labour opportunities, where jobs and skills transfer for youth and women have been prioritised,” said Van der Merwe.

With transformation at the core of SANRAL’s operations, every effort was made to ensure subcontractors from targeted enterprises were afforded the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the project.

The contract manager at Baseline Contractors, Thomas Moolman, said they were able to incorporate 11 subcontractors and seven suppliers, at a cost of just over R13 million. “We also provided relevant and specific training to the subcontractors and all their employees, and this bares testament in the quality of their work delivered,” said Moolman.

One of the subcontractors, Kenny Raseroka, the director at Raseroka Projects, was appointed to render services associated with the electrical works on the project.

“Our scope of work on this project is mainly on excavation and trenching. There is another company that lays the cables and does the electrification. This project has given my company a major economic push and we are now looking at upgrading from a 1CE to a 2CE or even 3CE. This is really one of those projects that came to our region and unlocked opportunities and growth,” said Raseroka.
He acknowledges that they do not work every day, so they have had to plan carefully for when the teams have to come in. “When we have more work, we can take on more of the local labour force, and it really does make a difference within the community.”
Kenneth Khukhe, who is also a subcontractor, is the director of Kenkhukhu Enterprises. His company does curb laying and he created work opportunities for eight people from Kathu.

“We have gone through theory with the workers, and I had to sit with them and help with the practical components,” he says.
Now his team knows exactly what they have to do and can say they are qualified curb layers. Khukhe said, was it not for this project, him and many other subcontractors would not have had this opportunity. He said it might not be a lot of work, but subcontractors are really benefitting from this. His advice to other entrepreneurs, is to make sure they are compliant, have a good marketing strategy and that all their documentation is in order.

James Mongake is a general worker and does a little bit of everything. He was trained as a flag person, linesman, traffic control operator and helps where he is needed.

“I was unemployed before, but now I’ve received training and can work with my hands. I’ve learned so much, and can now apply for other jobs, with the training I got here,” said Mongake.

The project is earmarked for completion in January 2024.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Lane closures to place concrete barriers between Westville Viaduct and Paradise Valley Interchange (Daytime)

Durban, 23 November 2023 – The N3 between Westville Viaduct and Paradise Valley Interchange will have daytime lane closures from 29 November to 12 December 2023, between 09h00 and 15h00. This is to facilitate the placing of concrete barriers as part the construction process for the infrastructure upgrade on that section of the road, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has announced.

“The lane closure will take place in the East and West bound fast lanes of the N3 between Westville Viaduct (Pavilion Mall) and Paradise Valley Interchange (N3/M13 split). The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team will manage and monitor the traffic during this period,” said Andrew Ssekayita, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

Motorists are urged to be patient during the lane closure periods and to plan and adjust their routes accordingly, thereby ensuring that they arrive at their destinations on time whilst adhering to sign posted speed limits.

“SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused to the motoring public during the road construction. Attempts have been made to minimise disruptions as far as possible,” said Ssekayita.

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Lane closures to place concrete barriers between Westville Viaduct and Paradise Valley Interchange

Durban, 21 November 2023 – The N3 between Westville Viaduct and Paradise Valley Interchange will have fast lane closures from 30 November to 12 December 2023, between 20h00 and 04h30. This is to facilitate the placing of concrete barriers during the infrastructure upgrades on this section of the road, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The lane closures will take place in both the East and West bound fast lanes of the N3 between Westville Viaduct (Pavilion Mall) and Paradise Valley Interchange (N3/M13 split). The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team will manage and monitor the traffic during this period” said Andrew Ssekayita, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

Motorists are urged to be patient during the lane closure periods and to plan and adjust their routes accordingly, thereby ensuring that they arrive at their destinations on time, while adhering to sign-posted speed limits.

“SANRAL apologises to road users for any inconvenience caused during the road closure. Attempts have been made to minimise disruptions as far as possible and closures have been restricted to hours when traffic is at its lowest level” said Ssekayita.

 

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL remains committed to cut the construction cake more equitably

Pretoria, 19 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has assured its stakeholders that its commitment to expediting wealth-creation among black business in South Africa has not dwindled and that every effort will be made to cut the construction cake more equitably.

SANRAL recently hosted the last of a countrywide series of engagements to consult stakeholders on its proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP). The consultation engagements started in Cape Town on 31 October and concluded in Pretoria on Friday, 17 November 2023.

Stakeholders also gathered at satellite venues in Ngwenya Lodge, Klerksdorp, and King’s Palace, Rustenburg in the North West, both of which were linked virtually to SANRAL’s head office in Pretoria.
The primary objective of the PPP roadshow is to inform stakeholders of the reasons for the SANRAL Board’s withdrawal of the Preferential Procurement Policy, which was adopted in May 2023, and to consult interested and affected parties on the proposed Interim PPP. This will be used to adjudicate tenders until such time as a final policy is adopted.

Addressing the final meeting, SANRAL Chief Executive Officer, Mr Reginald Demana, said the roads agency hopes to conclude the Interim PPP in the next few days so that work can be put out to market.

“Our plan is that hopefully by the end of next week we will have consolidated all comment and input to conclude the interim policy. We are working hard, in parallel with our teams, to make sure we are able to get adverts into the market this year still,” he said.

Issues raised by stakeholders included project participation opportunities for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), the need for more aggressive transformation of the construction industry, concerns about the prevalence of the so-called construction mafia and other organised crime formations, as well as skills development and training to allow SMMEs increased access to developmental opportunities.

Mr Demana acknowledged that transformation continued to be a very contentious issue in the country, especially considering that the economy was not growing, which meant that economic opportunities were limited, and therefore competition for those limited opportunities was very high.

“Those who are already in the sector have built up their businesses and are doing very well, declaring massive dividends and making their shareholders very happy. But those who want to enter the sector, who see an opportunity and want to come in to participate are finding it hard. It’s a difficult balancing act but one which we cannot afford not to address head on, otherwise the sector will end up in trouble,” said Demana.

SANRAL spokesman Vusi Mona says the deadline for written comments has been extended until Tuesday (21 November 2023).
“SANRAL wants to encourage all interested and affected parties to submit written comments via the email address commentsppp@sanral.co.za by 12H00 midday on Tuesday 21 November 2023. The proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) has been open for comment for the last three (3) weeks, starting on 31 October 2023. The document can be found on SANRAL’s website (www.nra.co.za) and various social media platforms,” said Mr Mona.

 

SANRAL EXTENDS PERIOD FOR COMMENTS ON DRAFT INTERIM PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT POLICY (PPP) TO CLOSE AT 12H00 MIDDAY ON TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2023

Pretoria, 17 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has announced an extension of the deadline for written comments on its draft Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP). The national roads agency has been consulting interested and affected parties about its proposed PPP through a national roadshow to all provinces and also invited the public to submit written comments.

SANRAL spokesman Vusi Mona says the deadline for written comments has been extended until next Tuesday due to a technical glitch. “SANRAL wants to further encourage all interested and affected parties to submit written comments via the email address commentsppp@sanral.co.za by 12H00 midday on Tuesday, 21 November 2023. The proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) has been open for comment for the last three (3) weeks, starting on 31 October 2023 and we are now extending the deadline for written comments until next Tuesday. The document can be found on SANRAL’s website (www.nra.co.za) and various social media platforms,” said Mr Mona.

SANRAL started with its PPP consultation roadshow in the Western Cape and Northern Cape on 31 October 2023 and proceeded to host consultations in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The final consultations took place in Gauteng and North West today, Friday 17 November 2023.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Road closures due to N2 KwaMashu to eMdloti upgrades

Durban, 17 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced a road closure on the N2 between the KwaMashu and Mount Edgecombe Interchanges, on Sunday 26 November 2023, between 04h00 and 11h00. This is to allow the removal of two overhead sign gantries on the northbound carriageway. The southbound carriageway will not be affected.
“This operation forms part of the current upgrade of the N2, between the KwaMashu Interchange and the Umdloti River Bridge, to significantly improve the capacity of the highway over the project length. The overall result will be a total of five lanes in each direction between the KwaMashu and Mount Edgecombe Interchanges. Thereafter, four lanes in each direction up to the eMdloti Interchange. The existing northbound and southbound ramps at the Mount Edgecombe Interchange will be tied into the current arrangement,” said Trevor Zumani, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

As a requirement for the safety of both road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation plans are in place. Motorists using this section of the N2 will notice that signage, barriers and traffic calming are currently being installed.

“It is recommended that trucks and heavy vehicle operators try to delay their trips over this period and/or find suitable staging areas to avoid major congestion. Public transport operators are asked to ensure that their drivers are aware of the closure and of the alternative routes to be used over the seven-hour period. Light motor vehicle users, emergency services and traffic controllers are advised to consider alternative routes,” said Zumani.

Motorists are urged to exercise patience while driving through the alternative routes and to plan and adjust their route trips ahead of time.

“SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for the short-term inconvenience caused during this necessary road upgrade. We appeal to road users to plan their trips accordingly, especially when accessing travel hubs such as the airports. Every effort is made to minimise disturbances as far as possible and closures have been restricted to hours when traffic is at its lowest level,” said Zumani.

Alternative Routes:
• The preferred (red) detour will take motorists off the N2 at the KwaMashu Interchange, then travel approximately 1km westwards along the KwaMashu Highway, up the ramp and onto the R102. All detours will be well marked with sufficient flagmen and signs to keep motorists on the route.
• Three (3) other alternative routes have been identified on the approach to the closure.
• The preferred (red) detour route and the three other routes as well as the road directions are provided in Figures 1, 2 and 3 below.
• Sign boards directing traffic to alternate routes will be erected at the various off-ramps.