Germiston City Hall was a hub of hope and curiosity on November 17 as local community members, SMME entrepreneurs, City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) officials and South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) delegates gathered.
Hosted by the CoE, the East Rand community came to hear more about Sanral’s upcoming projects and how the road agency will spark transformation in the construction industry.
Sanral presented its Transformation Policy and Horizon 2030 strategy.
According to Sanral, the policy will encourage SMMEs to tender for available projects.
Northern region stakeholder coordinator of Sanral Jullecsia Saul spoke at the Taking Sanral to the People conference and said they are making efforts to reach the local community because they have no local offices.
“We have been told Sanral has no contact on the ground, that we are not transformed or visible enough for previously disadvantaged groups. We are saying we have heard you, which is why we are here to engage you on opportunities we have to offer.”
She added Sanral wants to help small businesses and walk the journey with them.
“We know transformation is not an easy process; however, we want to offer skills transfer, training and mentorship one kilometre at a time.
“As directed by our Horizon 2030 strategy, we use our projects to strengthen our role within communities through proactive consultation, partnerships, and inclusive decision-making,” said Saul.
The City’s acting executive mayor, Nkosiphindile Xhakaza, standing in for mayor Mzwandile Masina, welcomed Sanral’s efforts in creating opportunities for their community.
“This initiative should encourage other entities of government to engage with communities.
“The initiative also supports the City of Ekurhuleni’s 10th Point Plan, which seeks to contribute to regional economic growth and bringing employment opportunities to the city’s people.
“The projects will go a long way to integrate communities and provide services on time.”
He added there is still more work that Sanral needs to do to unlock opportunities for people in the townships and is looking forward to working with the road agency.
Sanral has a total of four projects planned for the City of Ekurhuleni.
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The first project manager to present his project was Oakley van Eyk.
He highlighted that from time to time, the roads agency embarks on a drive to inform stakeholders across South Africa of its current and upcoming projects and its role in infrastructure development, skills development initiatives and job creation.
He said routine road maintenance (RRM) projects in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality will repair various structures on National Route N12, the freeway lighting maintenance and the upgrade of the National Route N3, all of which will open up employment opportunities for local communities and SMMEs.
“The projects are expected to take over 36 months.
“Community members from 29 wards across the City of Ekurhuleni will benefit from them.
“These projects will be on the R21-1, R21-2, N12-18, N12-19, N3-11, N3-12 as well as N17-2.
“Typical sub-contracting work that will be carried out will comprise general maintenance, which includes the cleaning of culverts and drains, construction of drainage systems and erection of road signage.
Pavement repairs will also form part of the sub-contracting work; this includes pothole and patching repairs, pavement repairs and road markings,” said the project manager.
The other three project managers detailed their projects.
“The second project, according to Sanral, included the repairs of various structures on national route N12 between Section 15 and Section 19 and the repair of nine bridge sites along the N12 in sections 19 and 20.
The project was said to take over 18 months with a budget estimate of between R40-million to R50-m.
The third project was the freeway lighting maintenance of national roads.
The Sanral project manager said the affected national road sections include R21-1, R21-2, N12-18, N12-19 and N3-12.
“This project is expected to take about 36 months,” he said.
The last project to be presented was the upgrade of the dual carriageway National Route 3 (N3) Section 12 from Dwars-in-die-Weg (KM 0.00) in the southern part of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to Geldenhuys Interchange (KM 25.0).
Sanral board member Thamsanqa Matosa emphasised the roads agency will use these projects to maximise the participation of local black contractors, professionals and suppliers.
“The intention of this policy is to uplift those at the bottom of the poverty line.
“Road maintenance is where the money is and only about six companies are making money from it.
“We want to push back the frontier of poverty.”
He further warned companies about fronting.
“If we find out this is happening, we will cancel the contract immediately.
“You can make money without mixing with negative influences,” said Matosa.
After a question-and-answer session, Themba Mhambi, chairperson of the Sanral board, acknowledged the communities’ feedback, criticism and suggestions.
“We want to empower the previously disadvantaged to be able to buy their own plants at reasonable prices.
“We do agree that not enough was done.
“We have gotten somewhere, but we still have got more road to cover,” said Themba.
Contact the newsroom by emailing:
Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
