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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL hosts scholarship and bursary induction for recipients

Western Cape, 21 August 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) recently hosted an induction for recipients of its Scholarship and Bursary programme at the Lagoon Beach Hotel in Milnerton. In this academic year, the Skills Development Unit is funding 252 scholarships and 95 external bursaries.

Given the overwhelming response the unit receives annually when applications are open for bursaries and scholarships, this event was a celebration of the successful candidates who managed to outperform all the other applicants.

SANRAL’s investment into education is driven by its transformation policy. “The decision to expand our external bursaries beyond Civil Engineering, to cover all educational streams that feed our auxiliary operations, among others Law, Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing and Human Resources, is evidence of meaningful transformation that expands our net of social inclusion,” said Heidi Harper, SANRAL’s General Manager for Skills Development.

Furthermore, the scholarship programme that had previously focused on only Mathematics and Science and supported learners with a 70% aggregate, now supports learners with a 60% aggregate, irrespective of their subject choices.

Isabella Smithdorf, a Grade 12 learner at Fairmont High School, excitedly explained how she is looking forward to pursuing a degree in Law, and is super grateful to SANRAL for supporting her academic journey at school.

Reabestswe Sekgothudi, currently a candidate engineer at SANRAL’s Technical Excellence Academy in Gqeberha, had the crowd entertained with her reflections of how she made the transition from a dream to be a doctor to living her best life as an aspirant civil engineer. She encouraged the African girl child to keep dreaming.

Cara Van Heerden, a final-year Civil Engineering student at Stellenbosch University, expressed deep gratitude to SANRAL for taking the financial pressure off her parents and acknowledged that she would not have been able to pursue her degree without the bursary.

All bursary and scholarship recipients have access to additional support services that assist with their overall wellbeing, including mental health.

“I am so grateful to SANRAL for the financial support they are giving me. However, their support goes beyond money. The wellness programme was an incredible support to me when my dad passed away and really helped me through a very difficult time,” said Azola Khoboyi, a final year Civil Engineering student at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Azola is no stranger to SANRAL as he was also supported with a scholarship during his high school years at the Centre for Science and Technology in Khayelitsha.

Ulrich Witbooi, a junior Project Manager at SANRAL, had also come through the bursary programme and encouraged the current intake to never give up and to draw inspiration from those who had achieved great things.

SANRAL is currently accepting applications for scholarships and external bursaries for the 2024 academic year. Application forms are available on the SANRAL website and close on 30 September 2023.

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Blasting Works on N2 Sections 13 & 14 for next 12 months

Eastern Cape, 21 August 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is notifying travellers that blasting operations are planned every week on a Wednesday at 14h00 for the next 12 months on sections 13 and 14 of the N2 between Makhanda (Grahamstown) and the Fish River Pass.

Blasting operations on national route N2 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass Section 13 km 92.6 to km 103.6 and Section 14 between km 0.0 and km 5.05 start on Wednesday 23 August 2023 and run until the end July 2024.

The road will be closed on these days from 14h00 for a maximum period of three hours, up to 17h00, to allow sufficient time for cleaning the existing N2 and making it safe for the travelling public.

Motorists travelling westwards between East London or eQonce (King William’s Town) and Gqeberha (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 and turn left onto the N2 and continue on to Gqeberha.
Motorists travelling eastwards between Gqeberha and eQonce or East London may consider using the following alternative route:
• From Gqeberha, follow the N2 to Nanaga and turn right onto the R72 at the Nanaga junction and travel on via Alexandria and Port Alfred to East London.
• From East London, turn left onto the N2 and travel westwards through to eQonce.

“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.

 

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

Eastern Cape, 9 August 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 up to end of July 2024. Blasting is scheduled for today, Wednesday, 9 August 2023.

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.

 

The R216 million Montrose interchange – a revolution on the N4 – nears completion.

Its construction has already changed the lives of local small businesses and residents by providing much-needed jobs, and the soon-to-be completed R216 million Montrose Interchange is about to revolutionarise the experiences of motorists, pedestrians, businesses and communities around Mpumalanga.

Not only that. The interchange, which is receiving its first upgrade in 30 years and nestles between the Crocodile as well as the Elands rivers on the N4 National Road, is set to also boost the economies of three countries – South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana – by enhancing the movement of goods and people.

According to TRAC’s Executive Manager for Engineering and Technical, Wimpie Janse van Rensburg, the 23-month long project was necessary to ensure road safety and mobility along the route.

“The existing level cross T-Junction is being upgraded to a free flow level split interchange as Montrose is a critical crossing in the TRAC concession as it joins Elandsvallei and Schoemanskloof on the Eastern side where the route splits,” he said.

The Montrose Interchange connects two high speed freeways and forms part of the N4 Maputo Development Corridor. According to TRAC, which manages the N4 on behalf of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), the upgrade is aimed at ensuring road safety and mobility along the route while also improving trade between South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique.

The interchange has created 350 jobs and provided subcontracting opportunities for at least 10 local companies.

Work on the interchange includes the construction of four new interchange ramps and the widening of the existing two-lane Crocodile Bridge from two to five lanes. In addition, two new arch bridges supported by adjacent rock cut faces will be constructed to cross the existing Elands Valley section and to accommodate two new ramps.

Five 25m-high masts will illuminate the interchange, increasing visibility and road safety. Approximately 560m of the existing Schoemanskloof Road is being realigned to accommodate the interchange. This upgrade will ensure free flowing movement of traffic to and from Mbombela, Schoemanskloof and Elandsvallei in all directions.

The interchange has been welcomed by the taxi industry, which transports thousands of commuters on a daily basis. John Mavundla, Chairperson of Top Star Taxi Association in Mbombela said the interchange would improve the experience of drivers and passengers using the N4 toll road. “We’re very happy that TRAC continues to upgrade the N4, making it safer and easier to use. Our drivers spend many hours traveling up and down the N4 so the state of this road has a direct impact on how they do their work,” he said.

For Dumisane Ngobeni, who drives a coal haulage truck between Mozambique and various mines in South Africa, the construction of the interchange is a welcomed addition to the N4. “I really appreciate the fact that this area will be so well lit, making it safer to navigate at night.

Nothando Sithole, a business owner who frequently travels between Mbombela and Gauteng, said she was happy to see that the construction of the Montrose Interchange would soon be completed. “I use the N4 a lot and I’ve always been disappointed by the nature of the Schoemanskloof and Elandsvallei split in Mbombela, especially during peak traffic periods. I think this new Interchange will make navigating the N4 so much easier,” said Sithole.

Sithole’s sentiments were echoed by Mbombela-based photographer, Bongani Ndlovu, who only recently became aware of the construction of the Montrose Interchange as he’d been using alternative routes to avoid the split. “I join the N4 in Ngodwana, using the Kaapsehoop road from Mbombela to avoid possible congestion at the Schoemanskloof turn-off and was surprised to see how much had been done in the past year to improve that area,” he said.

According to Van Rensburg, while the upgrading of the interchange will lead to improved traffic mobility and safety of road users, no major pedestrian facilities are catered for or foreseen. “Pedestrians are not permitted to walk along freeways and it is not encouraged,” he said.

 

 

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.

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.