Sanral projects expected to create several jobs for local residents

The stakeholder’s meeting which was held at the Modimolle local municipality building on Wednesday 8 June, was well attended and organizers had to quickly add more chairs. Many of the community members were small business owners (SMMEs), subcontractors, laborers, and job seekers.

The team from Sanral represented the Northern region, which includes Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, and Mpumalanga. Limpopo Sanral manages approximately 4 000 km of roads.
During the session, stakeholders raised questions regarding subcontracting and the labor sourcing systems. Community members voiced their concerns about alleged corruption when councilors are involved in the selection process for general and unskilled laborers.

Moloko Masenya, Sanral stakeholder coordinator, highlighted the project-related activities from which local residents may benefit. She ensured the community that Sanral follows the relevant guidelines to establish inclusive and transparent project liaison committee (PLC) structures for each project. Masenya also mentioned that the remuneration for all general laborers on Sanral projects must be in accordance with the Government gazetted tariffs.

“The important task for Sanral is to benefit all citizens and road users through the successful implementation of quality road infrastructure. We strive to have a positive impact on communities where we work, by creating jobs for residents as well as subcontracting opportunities for local SMMEs,” she said.

Sanral requested community members to nominate representatives from registered formalized structures to serve voluntarily on the various project liaison committees. Each project will have its own committee of no more than 10 representatives who will meet with the project liaison officers and project managers once a month.

Representatives are tasked to communicate all relevant information as well as the progress of the project, to their respective structures and communities. They will also help determine the best labor sourcing system to be utilized for general and unskilled laborers.

Members from the following sectors may nominate representatives and send their applications to Sanral before Thursday 30 June 2022. Sectors include road safety, environmental councils, military veterans, disability forums, women’s organizations, youth organizations, transport or taxi associations, agricultural forums, and business or contractor associations.

Two representatives of the local municipality’s technical services or economic development divisions will also be included.

Masenya mentioned that there may be no conflict of interest for these representatives as they are not allowed to tender, subcontract or participate in any of the projects.

The Modimolle road safety structure, Adopt-a-pothole, nominated Sarie van der Berg to represent them on the public liaison committee.

According to Sanral the following routine road maintenance (RRM) and upgrade projects will be executed shortly. There are currently two RRM projects within the Modimolle-Mookgophong local municipality district, which commenced in May this year. The estimated cost of each project is between R40 million to R50 million and will last 36 months. Opportunities for subcontracting on RRM projects include clearing and grubbing, protection against erosion, and the erection of guardrails.

Project 080 includes the routine road maintenance of the N11 from the Ephraim Mogale municipal boundary to the Mogalakwena municipal boundary, R33 from the N11 intersection to Modimolle, and R101 from Middelfontein to Mogalakwena municipal boundary. Dinokeng Consulting has been appointed as the engineers and QTC Civils as the contractors for this project which started in May this year. The completion date is set for April 2025.

Project 083 includes routine road maintenance of non-toll national roads R101 from Bela-Bela to Middelfontein, R516 from Thabazimbi municipal boundary to Bela-Bela, R520 from Lephalale municipal boundary to R33 intersection at Vaalwater and R33 from Modimolle to Lephalale municipal boundary. There will also be routine road maintenance on the N1 section 23 from Bela-Bela to Syferfontein, N1 section 24 from Syferfontein to Middelfontein and N1 section 25 from Middelfontein to Rietvlei.

There are currently four upgrade projects affecting the Modimolle-Mookgophong local municipality district. The projects are in the detailed design phase. Opportunities for subcontracting on these projects include road reserve fencing, an extension of existing pipe culverts, and the erection of guardrails, road markings, and road signs.

Project R101-080 includes the improvement of the R101 section 8 from Bela-Bela to Modimolle. The design for this project has already been completed and according to Sanral, the contractors will be appointed in July. The road will be widened and a shoulder added. The dangerous sharp bends will also be adapted to improve road safety. Construction is planned to start in January 2023 with an estimated budget of R600 million.

Project R033-120 entails the improvement of the R33 section 12 from the N1 to section 13 in Modimolle town. Construction is planned to start in April 2023 with an estimated cost of R272 million.

Project R033-130 entails the improvement of the R33 section 13 from Modimolle town to Witklip. Construction is planned to start in late 2023 with an estimated budget of R190 million.
Project R033-130-3 includes the upgrading of roads in Vaalwater town. Construction is planned to start in April 2023 with an estimated cost of R150 million. During the 18-month project, Sanral will also build suitable facilities for hawkers and street vendors.

Marlene van Staden, mayor of the Modimolle-Mookgophong local municipality welcomed Sanral’s initiative to engage stakeholders and present various opportunities for community members.

“The municipality relies on partnerships such as this, to create much-needed job opportunities for local residents. Not only will these Sanral projects yield opportunities for employment and subcontracting, the upgrading of roads will also benefit tourists and all other road users,” she said.