small contractors
There are five projects under way, from which small and emerging contractors are benefitting. The service providers are appointed for a 24-month contract with the primary task to train, mentor and develop emerging contractors. The training programme is twofold; there is classroom training as well as practical training. The practical training is a labour-intensive construction that involves an existing community access road being upgraded to a surfaced gravel road.
Three of the five projects are in Mzamba (Mbizana LM), Lusikisiki (Ingquza Hill LM) and in Ndwalane (Port St Johns LM), and are near completion.
Thirty-one grade 1, 2 and 3 SMMEs were drawn from each community and have completed theoretical training and simulation. These SMMEs are now busy with the construction of local community access roads with the guidance of a qualified mentor.
The community development project training so far includes:
- 31 SMMEs received NQF 4 – SAQA Accredited Certificates: Supervision of Construction Processes
- 62 Supervisors received NQF 3 –SAQA Accredited Certificate: Construction Roadworks
- 300 learners received NQF 2 –SAQA Accredited Certificate: Construction Roadworks
- Generic Skills training was provided to 30 PLC members for Conducting Meetings and Conflict Resolution
- Business Development was offered to 40 unsuccessful SMMEs
Over and above the training provided, two young candidates in Ingquza Hill (LM) were trained and mentored to be Health and Safety Officers. One candidate has been assisted to submit an application for registration to SACPCMP.
The 31 SMMEs created 300 local employment opportunities, which particularly targeted women youth and disabled persons. In addition, 10 FET financial management students are employed to do practical training, assisting SMMEs to manage their finances. The students receive a monthly stipend.
The aggregate materials for construction of the surfaced roads and the construction plants were sourced locally.
The local community buildings are used as a training venue or site offices and the buildings are being upgraded/or refurbished and thereafter will be used fo ongoing community utilisation and management.
The recent two community development projects were awarded December 2017 for projects located near Makhwantini village (Mbizana LM) and Sigidi village (Mbizana LM). The projects consist of a combination of skills development and SMME contractor development.
The PLCs for both projects have been established and the project training service providers are busy with the selection of local SMMEs.
SANRAL is compiling an SMME database for Ingquza Hill LMA. Similar databases will be compiled in Mbizana and Port St Johns before the end of 2018. These databases will then be verified by the local municipality, local business chambers and the various PLCs and will be available to the public. The databases will not be closed and new businesses will be able to register if required. The only requirement to be on the database is for the company to already be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database, to be located in the relevant municipality and to provide goods or services relevant to the N2 Wild Coast Road construction programme.
SANRAL will also shortly issue an expression of interest specifically for potential local suppliers of crushed hard rock, gravel and sand.