MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL takes public consultation on proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy to the Free State
Mangaung, 12 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) on Friday, 10 November 2023, hosted the third in a series of public consultations on a proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) in Free State.
The main session was held at the Mangaung Metro Municipality Hall with participants, who were linked virtually, also gathered at satellite venues in Matjhabeng and Smithfield.
SANRAL’s Chief Legal, Risk and Compliance Officer, Kaiser Khoza, and Regional Manager for the Eastern Region, Dumisani Nkabinde, as well as other interested and affected parties engaged with local construction stakeholders and various interested parties on the proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) and related matters.
“Transformation underpins South Africa’s democracy and previously disadvantaged black South Africans are running out of patience following years of being on the economic periphery picking up crumbs from SANRAL projects,” said Khoza.
He appealed to all stakeholders in the construction sector to engage with the issues surrounding transformation to allow them to make meaningful input into the new PPP.
Acting Transformation Manager, Tshegare Moletsane, underscored SANRAL’s unwavering resolve to entrench transformation in its operations with the aim of accelerating the development and growth of SMMEs.
“SANRAL is in the process of designing a contractor development programme aimed at ensuring targeted enterprises – which includes black-owned SMMEs and enterprises owned by women youth, military veterans and people with disabilities – are progressively advancing in their Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading, ensuring that designated enterprises participate more meaningfully in SANRAL projects,” said Moletsane.
SMMEs in attendance unanimously supported SANRAL’s resolve to deliver a more progressive final PPP in the not-so-distant future. However, an appeal was made for the agency to consider more consultation with black SMMEs so that the
beneficiaries fully understand the policy aimed at improving their lives. SMMEs implored SANRAL to involve organised black business structures for support before court challenges.
In his closing remarks, Khoza said the seemingly perpetual riches of the previously advantaged companies in South Africa was not sustainable amid a sea of poverty.
The proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) is open for comment for three (3) weeks until 17 November 2023. The document can be found on SANRAL’s website (www.nra.co.za) and various social media platforms.
Embedded within the policy document is an email address (commentsppp@nra.co.za) to enable stakeholders to submit their comments.