KARIEGA – The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has completed 12 disaster recovery infrastructure projects worth more than R142 million, restoring critical roads, bridges and stormwater systems damaged during the devastating floods that struck the metro in 2024.
According to an NMBM statement, the projects were funded through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant, which contributed R89 million, and the Municipal Disaster Response Grant, which provided R53.9 million. The funding was used to rehabilitate infrastructure across several communities, with a focus on improving resilience against future extreme weather events.
The delegation, together with representatives from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (Misa), gathered on Monday 3 August for a pre-briefing before embarking on a series of site visits to inspect the completed projects.
According to municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya, the programme included the rehabilitation of damaged roads, the reconstruction of the Matanzima Bridge, the rehabilitation of the CAT Canal in Ward 48, and the repair and restoration of the De Mist Canal and Fourie Street in Kariega.
The first site visit took place at Moegesukkel in Kabah, Kariega, where officials inspected the construction of a new surfaced road that replaced the previous gravel road. The project also included the installation of stormwater infrastructure and water pipelines to improve accessibility, strengthen the area’s resilience to future flooding and enhance service delivery.
The delegation then visited the Jones Street/Taylor Water Pipeline Project, where R5 million was invested to restore water infrastructure damaged during the floods. The work included reconstructing and raising the canal’s concrete walls, repairing the water pipeline, protecting sewer infrastructure, removing debris and installing perimeter fencing to reduce the risk of future flood damage.
The final stop during the first round of visits was the CAT Canal in Kariega, where rehabilitation work included repairs to the water pipeline and the installation of perimeter fencing to protect municipal infrastructure, improve public safety and strengthen the resilience of essential services.
A second round of inspections included the De Mist Canal and Fourie Street project in Kariega, where officials assessed the reconstructed roadway, rebuilt canal wall and rehabilitated embankment. Municipal officials said the infrastructure had already demonstrated its resilience during the heavy rainfall experienced in May this year.
The delegation also visited the newly constructed Matanzima Bridge in Nomakwazana. The project delivered a new bridge, pedestrian pavements and stormwater culverts, providing a safer crossing for the Mqolomba and Jabavu communities. According to the municipality, the bridge also withstood the recent floods without sustaining damage.
At the Matanzima Bridge/Panona Tini project in KwaNobuhle, officials inspected completed stormwater infrastructure, pipeline installations and the reinstated roadway. The municipality said the completed works had restored critical infrastructure, improved access for residents and strengthened the area’s resilience to future flooding.
Municipal officials said the site visits formed part of ongoing oversight of the grant-funded recovery programme and provided stakeholders with an opportunity to assess the implementation of the projects, reflect on lessons learnt and identify best practices for future disaster recovery initiatives.
The municipality added that the completed projects have restored essential infrastructure while improving the metro’s preparedness for future disaster events. Officials said continued monitoring and collaboration between national, provincial and local government would help ensure sustained investment in disaster recovery and improved service delivery across Nelson Mandela Bay.
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