The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) shared its more than R1-billion road construction plans for Mthatha with local residents recently.
The roads agency outlined its plans for road infrastructure development projects amounting to more than R1bn for Mthatha, including a project to upgrade the N2 Section 18 from Viedgesville to Mthatha, and a Community Development (CD) project. The meetings were held with community members from Maqhinebeni, Qweqwe, KwaPayne and Viedgesville villages near Mthatha.
Sanral southern region stakeholder coordinator Welekazi Ndika said the project for the N2 upgrade was still in the design phase.
“The N2 from Viedgesville to Mthatha project will include an upgrade to a four-lane divided by the median or physical barrier to a dual carriageway, improvements to intersections and interchanges on the road, construction of agricultural underpasses, provision of pedestrian bridges, strengthening of the existing pavement, road signage, and marking and street lights,” Ndika said.
“The project is still in the design phase and the main contractor has not yet been appointed. The community development project, on the other hand, will entail the construction of community access roads that are adjacent to the N2 national road.”
Ndika said the tender for the main contractor was at the procurement stage and the estimated project value was R250 million.
“These projects will create much-needed jobs for the local community, and they will also be trained to work on these projects.”
The road developments are expected to help alleviate road accident carnage, which is often caused by stray animals on the N2.
Sanral’s 14-point plan, which seeks to ensure previously disadvantaged individuals benefit from its projects, will assist in ensuring transparency and inclusivity with local communities that will work on the projects.
“Through our 14-point plan, we expect to already have established PLCs (project liaison committees) when the project starts. The PLC will assist in creating a platform for project liaison, works execution, subcontracting, and facilitating employment opportunities for local community members. All community representatives, including the youth, women, people with disabilities, and military veterans must be represented in the PLC,” she said.
Sanral plans to have further stakeholder outreach programmes with landowners regarding the relocation of people living on properties affected by the N2 project between Viedgesville and Mthatha. The meetings will be undertaken in consultation with local traditional leaders.
Vuyokazi Mayeza, Sanral’s social facilitator for the project, said consultations with community members and other key stakeholders had started in 2019.
