More than 300 SMMEs graduate from SANRAL training programme in the Eastern Cape.
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) has handed out certificates to 384 small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) after they completed a training programme that formed part of the R75 Port Elizabeth to Despatch interchange road rehabilitation project.
The two-week training course focussed on tendering, preparing construction documentation and business skills training.
The 384 women, youth and male-owned SMMEs whose CIDB levels are between 1CE and 4CE, received their certificates at a hand-over ceremony held at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton on 15 March 2018.
SANRAL are committed to supporting local businesses close to projects. Sixty percent of the SMMEs are from the 10 wards adjacent to the R75, while the remaining 40% are from the greater Nelson Mandela Bay’s SMME Targeted Enterprises.
Sean Strydom, SANRAL Southern Region Project Manager, said: “Through proper consulting, a prequalification tender process was held to determine who should be selected for the training programme. The trainees were then chosen from that pool.
“The training was necessary to assist the SMMEs with the skills needed to complete tendering and construction documents. The SMMEs now have the knowledge to be able to compile competitive tenders for SANRAL projects.”
Of the SMMEs who graduated, 23 have already started working on the rehabilitation project. This includes erecting guardrails, picking up litter, building subsoil drains, erecting anti-climb fencing, building open-line concrete drains, erecting palisade fencing and building prefab culverts.
Accreditation certificates will “open doors”
Siphokazi Sikelwa of Fathuse Trading Pty Ltd started working on the six-month litter cleaning project in January.
“The training I received is important especially because it is an accredited training course. This will help me greatly with compliance. I do have other qualifications but these are not accredited,” Sikelwa said.
Bongile Dom of Bay Ngwane Trading (Pty) Ltd, who does not have a tender to work on the R75 project, also completed the two-week training course, and believes it will assist the growth of his company.
“This certificate means a lot to me as I only have a matric. I was appointed as a sub-contractor on other construction projects for another company before, and did kerbing and pre-mix. This is the first time I have received training on a project and I believe the certificate will open doors for my business,” Dom said.
Simphiwe Jama from Kangelani General Trading has also been involved with the litter cleaning project in January, employing 10 workers.
“I have a matric and now that I also have the national certificate I am motivated to study further. Because of the training I received, I know how to calculate and price tender documents, and have learned the importance of health and safety. These are important skills when you have your own business,” Jama said.
Maintenance contracts spurring black business
The SANRAL Southern Region awarded road maintenance contracts to 147 black-owned SMMEs during 2015/16. The region was responsible for the management of 18 routine contracts for the maintenance of 4 559km of road, constituting 23% of the SANRAL network.
Routine road maintenance spending for 2015/16 amounted to approximately R400-million.
More work on the R75 project will be rolled out during May 2018 and May 2019.
The implementation of road safety measures and rehabilitation of the National Route R75 Section 1, constitutes 13km and will create work for a minimum of 37 local SMMEs between 1CE PE and 6 CE PE CIDB grading within the Nelson Mandela Bay.
This two-year project should be completed in May 2019.