SMMEs who worked on three community development projects, which form part of the N2WCR project, have successfully upgraded their Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) level.

The projects in Ingquza Hill, Port St Johns and Mbizana local municipalities created work opportunities for more than 400 people. Community access roads were built to improve accessibility to essential amenities such as schools and clinics.

“We are committed and passionate about developing SMMEs,” Gcobani Socenywa, SANRAL Southern Region Project Manager said.

Of the 11 SMMEs who worked on the Lusikisiki project, 40% have upgraded to 5CEPE, 4CEPE and 2CEPE while the remainder are eligible to upgrade and waiting for confirmation from the CIDB.

• The Lusikisiki project entailed the completion of community access roads and haul routes between two villages. A training venue was built and left for a school to use; a building was refurbished after it was used as a training venue, the area fenced off, new roof sheeting fitted, windows were replaced and is being used by business people for training; access and parking areas at an FET College, and two schools were upgraded.
• In Ndwalane, Port St Johns, 10 SMMEs were upgraded to 5CEPE, 4CEPE, 3CEPE and 2CEPE. The project included building access roads, the refurbishment of the Mkhanzini Community Hall, refurbishment of desks at Mkhanzini Primary School, and upgrading of the driveway and storm water management at Gungubele Combined School. A community shelter was also built at Caguba.

• In Mzamba, Mbizana two of the 10 SMME’s have upgraded from CIDB level 1CEPE to 4CEPE and 3CEPE respectively while the remaining are eligible to upgrade.
  The project included the construction of an access road, refurbishment of a community hall, stormwater management system and speed humps. Ten financial management students/ graduates were employed to assist the SMMEs.

Lindiwe Nokhele of Gandundu Trading worked on the Lusikisiki project as a technical and operations manager. Nokhele did road construction and culvert installations. The company upgraded from a CIDB level 1 to CIDB level 5.

“This was a good project to work on because it created more job opportunities for people in the Lusikisiki area and it also allowed owners to employ people,” Nokhele said. People who were employed on the project included youth and people with disabilities.

Sipho Mphetshwa of Mphetshwa Trading was contracted to work on concrete slabs and v-drains on the Port St Johns project.

“Training was provided on building roads and stock taking of material,” Mpetshwa said.