Skhumbuzo Macozoma

In a year in which the northern regions of our country were blessed with abundant rain, the importance of high-quality roads is once again underscored.

There are major opportunities to uplift the region’s reputation as the breadbasket of southern Africa. The agricultural sector – both large and emerging – will soon start moving their winter crops to market. It’s also the time of year when the tourism sector starts to prepare for the hectic winter season.

These important contributors to regional economic growth, investment, job creation and community development will become stagnant without the national and provincial road network.

The Great North road bisects Limpopo, along a distance of about 400km. To the east and west of this artery, the provincial road network spreads out like strands of a spider’s web.

It is now possible to travel from the urban parts of Gauteng to the rich cultural treasures of the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site in a seamless journey, on a reliable road network maintained by SANRAL. Similarly, SANRAL roads carry thousands of tourists every week to the Kruger National Park, the country’s most popular stay-over destination, as well as the many other game and nature retreats in its vicinity.

During Easter, thousands of South Africans use SANRAL roads to travel to Zion City to worship. Major reconstruction of the roads and intersections leading to Moria, has made this journey much safer.

A few years ago, the Limpopo Provincial Government made the progressive decision to transfer the management of some of its provincial roads to SANRAL. Today the agency is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of more than 3 550km of road in Limpopo – and we expect this to grow exponentially.

The provincial economy is on the verge of receiving a major boost with the recent announcement by Premier Chupu Mathabatha that the Musina-Makhado corridor has been declared a “Special Economic Zone”. Plans are well under way to duplicate this corridor in the southeast of the province, towards Tubatse and Burgersfort.

Much of the success of this R44bn development will depend on the quality of the roads infrastructure and SANRAL is ready to play its role in supporting the project that will create more than 20 000 direct jobs.

The roads that the agency maintains keep the wheels of the economy turning in its Northern Region and it does so while always striving to make every journey safe and enjoyable.

Skhumbuzo Macozoma is
SANRAL's Chief Executive Officer

Ismail Essa

The value that SANRAL adds to its Northern Region is expressed by the many people whose lives have been improved by our commitment to go beyond roads – to bring jobs, safety, economic growth and education to the very people we serve and hope to uplift.

The best endorsements for SANRAL’s responsiveness to the needs of communities come from our users. Near the village of Botlokwa in Limpopo, the national roads agency held consultations

with the community to explore ways to address their needs and eventually came up with an engineering solution. We would build a street-level bridge across the highway to enable pedestrians to move safely from one part of their settlement to another.

Appreciation for SANRAL’s work comes from road users who are anticipating the impact of a completed Musina Ring Road, which will ease traffic congestion and facilitate freer flow at the country’s busiest border post, Beit Bridge.

Support also comes from worshippers at

Moria, who no longer have to dread the final few kilometres as they travel to Mount Zion for their annual Easter pilgrimage. A new interchange and significantly improved road surface have made this journey so much safer.

But the positive recognition for our work also comes from the business community in Polokwane which will soon benefit from the completion of a ring road to facilitate the movement of people and goods into Limpopo’s primary economic hub. And from the small businesses and emerging contractors – mostly black- and

women-owned – that gain invaluable experience from working on such megaconstruction projects and can then grow their businesses and generate income for their workers, who in turn can support their families.

Enjoy this read and gain a better understanding of the work we do in our Northern Region. We trust that you will complete all your journeys in comfort and safety.

Ismail Essa is SANRAL’s former Northern Region Manager