SANRAL is committed to delivering good-quality
road infrastructure to stimulate the economy and
develop communities throughout South Africa.
The national roads agency’s positive impact on
society through community development is also
becoming deeper and more appreciated as its
responsibilities for the management of the national
road network continue to grow.
SANRAL manages a total of 22 197km of the
national road network and more than 6 500 major
culverts and bridges.
The SANRAL national road network in the Free
State is comprised of 879km of non-toll roads and
698km of toll roads.
Some major upgrade projects recently completed
in the Free State are the N1 Trompsburg to
Fonteintjie, N1 Sydenham to Glen Lyon and the N8
Bloemspruit to Sannaspos. Other major projects
include quarrying for material to be used on the N1,
construction on the N1 Ventersburg to Kroonstad
and N1 Winburg to Winburg Station.
It is compulsory for all SANRAL projects to ensure
skills transfer and participation by SMMEs, especially
women-owned enterprises.
SANRAL’s new long-term strategy, Horizon
2030, along with its draft Transformation Policy,
recognise the contribution we can make to
economic development through the provision and
maintenance of critical infrastructure.
To this end, SANRAL will use its procurement and
supply chain processes to transform the construction
industry, break down monopolies and advance the
broad participation of black-owned contractors and
suppliers.
Future contracts will set requirements for the use
of labour sourced from local communities and favour
the procurement of locally-developed materials,
equipment and technology.
In the field of education, SANRAL has a scholarship
programme for learners from Grades 10 to 12 who
perform specifically well in maths and science.
Last year, 20 learners from various secondary
schools around Bloemfontein were awarded SANRAL
scholarships aimed at enabling learners to make it
through Matric and enrol for tertiary education.
At tertiary level, SANRAL also offers bursaries to
capable students who have the potential to become South Africa’s next generation of civil engineers.
In this way, the agency is developing local talent and contributing to the sustainability of our future intellectual and physical infrastructure.
In an effort to ensure that South African students measure up to international standards in the mathematical world, SANRAL continues to sponsor a Chair in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education at the University of the Free State.
Skhumbuzo Macozoma is SANRAL’s CEO
AS A landlocked province, surrounded by six
provinces and the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho,
roads are the arteries through which the economic
lifeblood of the Free State flows. Linking producers
to markets, workers to jobs, students to school and
the sick to hospitals, roads are vital for the Free
State’s socio-economic development agenda.
Five major routes bisect and encircle the province,
which has in excess of 6 730km of surfaced roads and
approximately 22 000km of gravel road.
The department of police, roads and transport
(DPRT) is responsible for the promotion of
accessibility and mobility, including a safe, integrated
road network that is environmentally sensitive.
In its efforts to address joblessness and poverty,
the department has embarked on a contractor
development programme to support emerging
contractors on road building projects, with a special
emphasis on youth and women empowerment.
A grass-cutting programme was also initiated
and so far 36 grass-cutting learner contractors
have been appointed and trained. The Contractor
Development and Grass-cutting Programmes have
created approximately 1 400 job opportunities.
While the Free State DPRT has budgeted R2.7bn
for the 2017/18 financial year, the biggest chunk has
gone toward the improvement of the road network.
More than R1.2bn has been set aside for road
maintenance. Three critical roads – the Bultfontein/
Welkom, Bethlehem/Reitz and Jim Fouche/
Deneysville roads – are being resealed to increase
their lifespan. Furthermore, roads in all five districts
throughout the province are being re-graveled.
Many sections of SANRAL’s national roads in
the Free State are undergoing upgrades and
maintenance.
SANRAL and the DPRT are investing billions into
the Free State’s major routes to ensure they are safe
and convenient for pedestrians and motorists alike.
All SANRAL and DPRT projects incorporate transformation and participation imperatives to ensure the construction industry plays a role in job creation. Contractors must create jobs within communities living within close proximity to the projects.
Thousands of jobs have been created, training has been provided to unskilled workers and particular emphasis has been placed on ensuring women, youth and the disabled are provided with opportunities to benefit from DPRT projects.
It is also encouraging that SANRAL has supported the University of the Free State through the establishment a Chair in Mathematics, because the economy has such a big need for students with a high ability in this subject.
Sam Mashinini is the Free State MEC
for Police, Roads and Transport