JAMES HALL MBABANE –A new, shorter and speedier route from Swaziland to Johannesburg is in the offing, and should be ready by 2010, according to an Mpumalanga provincial spokesperson. “We will soon be constructing a new, bigger, shorter, better and faster highway between Oshoek Border Post and Johannesburg,” said Jabu Mahlangu, Mpumalanga MEC for the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation. Oshoek border post is the most heavily utilised point of entrance and egress for road freight haulers going to and from Gauteng. Mahlangu was in the country speaking in his capacity as a tourism official, and said the new route would facilitate visitor transport in time for the 2010 World Cup. But given Swaziland’s relatively light tourism numbers, the new highway would be more of a boon to road transport firms. Having subjected himself to a drive on the current pot-holed, narrow road, Mahlangu noted, “The Oshoek-Carolina N4 route is small, long and winding.” Tourism aside, the MEC said the SA government was committed to encouraging easier and faster movement of people and goods between SA and Swaziland. Building plans have been completed, and monies have been set aside to undertake the project, he said.
