Siyandhani ring road completed by GGM

In addition to facilitating commuting within the village, the road also connects two local schools to the main road. According to Steve Mavunda, the spokesperson for the GGM, the road project was scheduled for twelve months, and the contractor managed to complete it on time. “As we speak, the road is being used by the community in the village, and this addresses some of the municipality’s goals to improve road access for local communities,” he said.

“Apart from this road, we have two other ring roads in Xikhumba and Hlomela which are progressing well and are scheduled for completion in ten months,” he added. Meanwhile, taxi drivers in Siyandhani village welcomed the completion of the ring road, saying it lessens their workload when delivering commuters. “We used to face challenges when dropping passengers at MhanSunglen’s drop-off spot because the road was unbearable.”

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“But now, things are much easier because we simply drive on a paved area to reach the drop-off spot and then quickly turn around to the main road with less hassle,” said Ntsako Maswanganyi, one of the taxi drivers operating in the area. Although the taxi drivers are grateful for the new road, Maswanganyi said they do not yet fully utilise it due to their predetermined routes not currently aligning with the new road.

However, he believes it will soon be fully integrated. “Currently, our routes do not cover the entire road, but I’m sure it will be incorporated into our logistics soon,” he said. Meanwhile, another resident of the village, Sydney Mabunda, welcomed the completion of the new road, saying it would help them to better navigate during the rainy season. “Where I’m staying, the road surface gets very muddy during the rainy season, making it impassable for motorists. Now the problem has been resolved.”