The Karoo town of Tarkastad is set to become a hub of activity as the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) embarks on a R117-million special maintenance project.
The project involves repairing and resealing a 25-kilometre stretch of the R61 from Tarkastad in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality towards Cradock in the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality.
SANRAL has awarded the project to Tau Pele Construction, with SKI Consultants appointed as the consulting engineers.
SANRAL’s Southern Region Project Manager, Malesiba Mabe, said the work would include widening the lanes and adding a surface shoulder to improve road safety.
“Currently, the lanes are three metres wide, and we will be expanding them to meet SANRAL standards. We’ll also be adding a surface shoulder, as there is currently only a gravel shoulder,” Mabe explained.
The primary goal of the project, according to Mabe, is to enhance road safety.
“This will make it safer for motorists. In case of a puncture or other incidents, drivers will be able to pull off the road safely,” she added.
Mabe highlighted how the current condition of the road posed safety concerns.
“Wider shoulders will allow drivers to safely pass slower-moving vehicles, such as trucks, which currently cause safety risks due to the lack of passing opportunities,” Mabe said.
In addition to improving safety, the project is expected to create job opportunities for Tarkastad residents and subcontracting opportunities for local small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
The construction is expected to last 11 months, including a three-month mobilisation period.
To prepare for the project, SANRAL officials spent two days in Tarkastad meeting with stakeholders, including the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, community members, and local SMMEs.
SANRAL’s Southern Region Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator, Welekazi Ndika, said the two-day engagements were crucial in ensuring local participation.
“We have verified the members of the project liaison committee (PLC), representing various stakeholders. We also conducted a thorough induction, explaining SANRAL’s policies and procedures to the PLC members,” said Ndika.
She was part of the engagement with local SMMEs, guiding them on how to participate in the project and informing them about compliance, functionality, locality, and tender pricing.
“SANRAL is driving a transformation agenda, prioritising youth, women, people with disabilities, and military veterans,” Ndika added.
SANRAL’s Southern Region Transformation Officer, Thandile Makwabe, emphasised the importance of the three-month mobilisation period.
“This period is designed to help the main contractor familiarise itself with local dynamics and ensure that local SMMEs and labour are prepared for the opportunities ahead. By the time the contractor starts work, we want the SMMEs to be ready as well,” said Makwabe.
A help desk will be set up at the site office to assist SMMEs with any queries regarding SANRAL opportunities, Makwabe added.
Community members welcomed SANRAL’s efforts to ensure broad representation in the PLC.
Sydwell Felane, representing people with disabilities, expressed gratitude for the inclusivity.
“It’s rare for people with disabilities to be considered in projects like this. We are thankful for the opportunity to participate,” he said.
The youth representative in the PLC, Lindokuhle Ndamane, highlighted the challenge of the high unemployment rate among the youth of Tarkastad.
“Many young people here struggle with unemployment, which leads to issues like substance abuse and crime. This project will create much-needed jobs and change lives,” said Ndamane.
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality’s Local Economic Development Coordinator, Thobile Takane, said the municipality welcomed the improvements to the R61, a major route linking the Eastern and Western Cape.
“Tarkastad is a small town with high unemployment. This project will create jobs for the next eight to 11 months, and the R61 will be in much better condition,” said Takane.
Tarkastad, located on a plain north of the Winterberg mountain range between Komani and Cradock, was once the headquarters of the former Tsolwana Local Municipality.
The town became part of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality after the 2016 merger of Tsolwana with Lukhanji and Nkwanca municipalities.
According to the 2021 Census, Tarkastad has a population of approximately 1 600 residents living in over 500 households.
The town’s economy is primarily driven by commercial farming, specialising in crops and livestock such as Merino sheep, goats, cattle, and game.
