South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) informed stakeholders of its long-term strategy during a stakeholder engagement workshop at Sun Meropa on Tuesday.
Sanral’s new strategic direction stems from the Horizon 2030 Strategy that was recently launched by Joe Maswanganyi, Minister of Transport, and the workshop’s aim was also to unpack Sanral’s Draft Transformation Policy and its impact on procurement, while soliciting feedback from stakeholders.
The workshop addressed transformation in the Capital Works, Construction, Maintenance, Toll Operations, Information and Communication Technolgy, Legal, Finance and Audit, Property, Marketing, Advertising and Communications and non-core sectors.
The draft policy makes provision for the maximisation of participation of black contractors, professionals and suppliers in all Sanral-commissioned projects, beyond the minimum levels set by the prevailing legislative and regulatory framework. In the policy, Sanral commits itself to breaking down monopolies in the supply chains of materials, equipment, technology, systems and other areas within the construction and related industries to ensure broad-based participation by black South Africans. Sanral will also facilitate structured arrangements for the direct benefit of local communities in ventures that source resources from local areas, including traditional and communal land and will provide black business development support through programmes and partnerships with industry players to ensure meaningful and rapid development and growth of black entities.
Sanral also aims to promote the local manufacturing industry and to ensure that the procurement of professional services supports and nurtures black South African consultants through the encouragement of joint ventures, consortia, partnerships and other structures. Participation of persons from designated groups will also be promoted.
Story & photos: BARRY VILJOEN
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