Between 38% and 58% of each of the budgets of the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) haul road projects is being spent on local labour and SMMEs. The project is benefitting approximately 92 local SMME companies and individuals who have contributed either directly or indirectly to the four haul roads projects to date. Several of these SMMEs formed part of SANRAL’s integrated community development programme – a 24-month programme comprising skills training in entrepreneurship, engineering and tendering.
SANRAL gives hope to young SMMEs
A two-year dry spell changed for Ntomb’zonke Ngwekazi of Mzamba in the Eastern Cape when she was accepted to participate in SANRAL’s training programme for local SMMEs for the construction of community access roads near the Mzamba project area in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality.
Ngwekazi, from Rholweni Location in Mzamba, is part of the 24-month training programme that started in April 2016.
She heard about the road construction projects from her business partners, Thandiwe Mbokazi and Mxolisi Mbokazi. Ngwekazi and her business partners own Funokwenzani Trading and Services. Ngwekazi studied Human Resource Management N4-N5 and Information and Communication Technology NQF level 2 – level 4 at Port Elizabeth College.
“It was depressing and very frustrating to be at home and do nothing all day. I have been at home for two years and have been applying for work but have had no responses. This learnership will not only help me but also other youth who are struggling to find work. Hopefully more job opportunities and other projects will follow this one, building our community further,” said Ngwekazi.
She has gained valuable experience and skills. “This opportunity will expand my knowledge and give me experience with regards to construction. I receive a stipend, which makes a huge difference at home.
“In future, I want to further my studies in construction and I plan to use the experience from this contract to work on all types of projects, not just SANRAL projects.”
- In the 2015/16 financial year approximately R12.9m was spent on training and development programmes which provided SMMEs with the skills required to contribute to road construction and maintenance programmes.
- All SMMEs working on SANRAL projects receive SAQA accredited generic, entrepreneurial and technical training. This training provides SMMEs with the experience needed to improve their Construction Industry Development Board (CIBD) grading.
- As many as 55 000 people could gain some employment either directly or indirectly through the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) and the development the road is projected to bring over the first 10 years of operation.
- Approximately 5% of the budget for the 112km greenfields section of the N2WCR will be spent on labour.
- More than R450m will be allocated to wages for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers.
- The N2WCR project will result in over 1.8 million man-days of work or 8 000 full-time equivalent jobs.
- Approximately R2.5bn of the total budget will be spent on SMMEs.
- Over R1.5bn is destined for local SMMEs comprising local contractors and local suppliers of goods and services to the road and bridge construction projects.