Safety meets development
In the previous issue of Hello Northern Cape, we reported on the newly commenced construction of three traffic circles just outside Kimberley, on the R31, N12 and N8, with a view to reduce the number of serious and fatal motor vehicle crashes that have occurred over the years, and ultimately improve the safety for all road users.
The project, which started with construction in August 2018, was completed in October 2018,
leaving three brand new traffic circles with pedestrian facilities and bus shelters.
Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager, said: “Particularly on the R31, vehicles had to come to a complete halt when crossing the N12, which had free-flowing traffic. Often motorists on the R31 mistook the intersection for a four-way crossing, resulting in their swerving in front of oncoming traffic, with serious and sometimes fatal consequences. The conversion of the intersections to traffic circles will go a long way towards
improving the safety and ultimately reducing motor vehicle accidents.”
According to Assistant Resident Engineer Joubert Swanepoel, the main objective of a traffic circle is to reduce the incoming approach speed, reduce the angles of conflict between vehicles, and ultimately reduce the severity of accidents when they do occur.
The project had a budget of R115m, of which R33m was spent on SMME contractor development. Pieter Muller of Taupele Construction said: “This project connected 11 SMMEs with economic and developmental opportunities that had a significant impact on the regional economy.”
Furthermore, 169 local residents and 17 skilled workers from outside the district benefited from work opportunities since construction has been under way.
Maria Mooketsi, owner of Onkabetse Civils and Mining, is one of the SMMEs contracted to render services on this site. She expressed huge gratitude for being granted the opportunity to work, learn, grow and develop under the wing of Taupele Construction.
Road safety remains a key priority for SANRAL and where we can deliver road transport solutions that aid and improve overall safety, we are determined to do so.
RRM and wellness programme
The wellness programme is designed to take information to the workers, about their wellbeing, including physical health, mental health and financial health. These workers often spend long hours on the road and don’t necessarily have time to visit primary healthcare facilities for preventative screenings, so SANRAL has partnered with a service provider to take wellness to the workers.
While visiting the Northern Cape, the Wellness champions team met up with some RRM workers who had just gone through a day of HIV testing and counselling, as well as a general session about overall wellness.
Andrea Maans from Hopetown is a general worker who is largely responsible for litter clean-up and ensuring the road reserve is kept clean. “I have learnt so much about the importance of eating the right foods and how what you put in your body affects your physical health,” said Andrea.
Douglas Nqalela is the site manager for Rainbow Civils, responsible for RRM on the N12 from Hopetown to Hartswater. He is incredibly committed to exposing his team to information and healthcare services to improve their overall wellbeing. “A healthy worker is a productive worker,” said Douglas with a smile.
Joseph Japhta from Ritchie is a general worker and was most appreciative of the fact that healthcare services were being brought directly to the workers. “We work all day, and even on weekends, so by the time we’re at home, the clinics are closed. So bringing this service to us is a huge help and I am now better equipped to look after my health,” said Joseph.
Ernest Malusi, the wellness champion in Kimberley, lives for his work. “The day I got this job was like a dream come true. A wellness champion is an engine of change. I make sure I focus on the holistic wellbeing of my teams – not just the absence of physical pain. I pay equal attention to their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing,” he said.
BUILDING SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH BETTER ROADS
HELLO NORTHERN CAPE 2018