HELLO WESTERN CAPE 2018

SKHUMBUZO MACOZOMA

This year SANRAL celebrates 20 years of serving South Africa. As we grow, change is inevitable. I am incredibly excited about the future of our Western Region Office, which in April got a new captain at the helm. Randall Cable, who has been with the national roads agency since its infancy, brings to the table a wealth of expertise and a particular passion for road safety.

SANRAL’s Western Region, which makes up 22% of the national road network, has since 2009 invested R17.75bn in roads infrastructure. This region currently has 183 projects in the planning, design, construction and maintenance phases – which amounts to about R10.3bn to be spent over the next three years. There are 83 projects due to start their design phase within the next three years at an estimated construction cost of R17.15bn.

Kobus van der Walt, the former Regional Manager now leads the SANRAL Technical Excellence Academy (TEA) based in Port Elizabeth. The TEA provides dedicated mentorship and practical training in road and bridge design and construction for graduate candidate engineers on their road to professional registration. After leading theWestern Region for 19 years, Kobus is channelling his energy into guiding and supporting a new generation of engineers that will take over from the retiring generation.

SANRAL recently completed a series of stakeholder engagement sessions, speaking on the transformation of the organisation and the industry, as well as the impact of our transformation initiatives on the communities who live along the national road network. One thing that was apparent in every town and community we engaged with, across the Western Cape, was the dire need for job opportunities. With South Africa’s staggering unemployment figures, it is desperation that fuels the unrest, protest action and disruption of existing projects in the region.

This region currently has 183 projects in the planning, design, construction and maintenance phases – which amounts to about R10.3bn to be spent over the next three years. There are 83 projects due to start their design phase within the next three years at an estimated construction cost of R17.15b

We recognise the critical role SANRAL plays in the construction and related industries, and as an organisation we are mindful of the impact the construction industry and its procurement practises have on millions of people across South Africa. We accept the responsibility we carry to use our procurement to contribute to transforming the construction industry and consequently the South African economy. We want to maximise the participation of black contractors, professionals and suppliers in all SANRAL-commissioned projects – by making full use of the provisions of prevailing legislation with a clear aim to break down monopolies in the supply chains of materials, equipment, technologies and professional services.

It was encouraging to learn that just one road construction upgrade project on the N2, between Caledon and Riviersonderend, spanning only 48km, has resulted in no fewer than 11 SMMEs being trained and given subcontracts by the main contractor. These 11 businesses support families and communities.

On the N7, just outside Malmesbury, in the heart of the Swartland, scores of young people had access to learnerships, with many of them having completed NQF 3 and 4 training. This has resulted in full-time employment and continuous professional development that will see these young men and women lead better lives.

This is transformation in action. I want to call on all stakeholders in the Western Cape to engage with SANRAL through the platforms provided in the Transformation Policy in order to ensure that real change happens and true inclusive participation in the Western Cape economy is achieved.

We remain committed to an inclusive and consultative process. All SANRAL projects are facilitated through Project Liaison Committees (PLCs) that are set up locally in the targeted project areas with relevant stakeholders. Commitment from industry, civil society and the government is required to drive economic development opportunities to all communities. It is

equally important that communities learn to make the best of the opportunities they are given. As construction progresses along the national road network, so the beneficiaries of work will change from one town to the next. We remain of the opinion that it is better to extend some opportunities to more people than to give all the opportunities to a select few. SANRAL will continue to engage other government departments to ensure that integrated development and the alignment of programmes enables communities to benefit from rolling projects,cas opposed to once-off temporary projects.

I will be watching developments on the N1, N2 and N7 with keen interest. Our Project Managers in the Western Cape are incredibly passionate about the work they do and the ability of their projects to improve the lives of the people of this province – and not only those using the road network, but also those who form part of looking after it.

Skhumbuzo Macozoma is SANRAL’s CEO

Message from the CEO