SANRAL’s approach to its business is always to take the needs of communities into account.
When we build roads, we also build communities. We do this for those who live close to our roads, but also in a wider sense.
The latter we help with scholarships and bursaries, arrange for the intake of interns, we have partnerships with several universities to enhance the knowledge of science and maths among school children, as well as support chairs at three universities to grow the understanding of engineering and maths.
We work very closely with the communities who live near our roads. We have a very deliberate approach, best expressed by the principle: work with the people for the transportation needs of the people.
Local SMMEs win
Our aim is to have 30% of contract work done by local SMMEs, preferably black and woman-owned.
They are continuously trained to be able to manage their companies and their staff also undergo training courses to teach them various technical skills related to the work of road building and maintenance.
The intention is to leave behind skills and experience to assist the SMME and its employees to find work once the SANRAL contract has come to an end.
We know our roads are not only for cars and trucks. We keep other road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, in mind too, and where necessary, build special facilities for them.
We take road safety seriously and run road safety programmes in schools near our construction projects.
Project Liaison Committees
We establish Project Liaison Committees (PLCs) for all our projects in the different communities where we are active.
The PLCs consist of local people, contractors, businesses, interest groups and SANRAL-delegated representatives.
These committees are the voice of the community, communicating its needs to SANRAL.
Economic growth without proper roads is impossible. But in the end, it is all about the people we serve.
SANRAL’s approach to its business is always to take the needs of communities into account: working with the people for the people.
This is an opinion piece by Ismail Essa, SANRAL’s Transformation Manager.