WATCH: Women receive road maintenance training

A group of 10 women from Cloverdene recently received four-day training on road maintenance and asphalt mixing from the South African Foundation for Empowerment Training and Innovation (SAFETI).

In celebration of Women’s Month, Mike Kershaw of SAFETI and a resident of Ward 24, decided to offer skills development training to unemployed local women to provide them with the opportunity to pursue careers within the road maintenance field.

Participants learnt how to effectively square out potholes and sustainably repair these with asphalt that they mixed themselves.

“We identified Third Avenue, Cloverdene, to undergo roadworks, such as pothole repairs, for the practical training,” said Ward 24 Clr Nicola Da Silva.

“This stretch of road is riddled with potholes and, therefore, an ideal, safe and quiet training ground.

“We hope that through this initiative the council will see the invaluable potential of the city’s residents and hopefully create sustainable job opportunities for them in terms of road maintenance and pothole repairs,” Da Silva said.

According to Kershaw, the participants will receive certificates upon completion of the programme, recognised by CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority) and they become part of a database for future contracts.

“Once completed, we hope that these women will use their knowledge to start producing their own asphalt which complies with hot asphalt regulations,” he said.

Caroline Mdluli (45) jumped at the opportunity to participate in the training.

“The prospect was daunting as I did not know anything about fixing roads, much less mixing asphalt,” she said.

“It is hard work but the training has taught us that through correct planning and teamwork, projects like these are easily completed sustainably.”

Caroline said a world of opportunity was given to all the participants in only four days.

“I am already planning to establish my own asphalt production enterprise and sell within my community,” she said.

“Slowly, I will work towards rendering tarring services. It’s a prospect I never imagined.”

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