IN a move designed not only to enhance road infrastructure but also to bring meaningful socio-economic benefits to local communities, Sanral has partnered with Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality for the upgrade of the R61 from All Saints to Baziya, at an impressive cost of R1.3 billion.
The two institutions held a community engagement session on June 10 at the All Saints Community Hall to introduce the contractors, Base Major – CSCEC Joint Venture.
The project is scheduled to span 39 months. Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality mayor, Siyabulela Zangqa, expressed excitement over the 18km improvement of the R61.
“This project will not only bring economic growth to our area during the construction of this road. Local people will also get work opportunities and SMMEs will benefit from this project. By the time this project is complete and the contractor leaves, our local construction companies will have improved their grades,” he said.
Local subcontractors and suppliers are expected to play a pivotal role in the project’s execution, contributing significantly to local enterprise development and community empowerment.
The municipality revealed that the scope of the project includes widening the existing R61 to accommodate two 3.7-metre-wide lanes with 2.5-metre-wide gravel shoulder edges, resulting in a total width of 13.4 metres.
Mayor Zangqa emphasised that the project would enable local construction companies to bid for tenders even beyond the borders of the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality.
“We are positioning our local municipality as an interchange where, when travelling to other municipalities and provinces, you pass through our municipality. Improving this road creates other economic opportunities, such as building malls.
“As the municipality, we have issued an expression of interest for the construction of a mall. Others will want to construct filling stations because improvement of road infrastructure is followed by economic growth, which attracts investors to such areas,” he said.
The mayor added that when investors arrive in Ngcobo, they will ensure local young people are employed.
Sanral Regional Stakeholder Coordinator, Welekazi Ndika, stated that the road agency had been eagerly awaiting the handover of the project.
“The people must embrace this project and look after it. The project benefits will help them more than anyone else. There are benefits in terms of job opportunities, and there are additional benefits for local businesses,” she said.
In line with Sanral’s commitment to inclusive development, the project will prioritise job creation for youth, women, and people living with disabilities.
Nkosi Zwelidumile Dalasile, a local traditional leader, emphasised the importance of development and progress.
“We know there are people who want to disrupt projects for their personal gain — we are totally against that. We must understand that this development is not only for us but also for future generations. This road infrastructure improvement project will help Ngcobo grow from its current stature and become one of the recognised towns in the province.
“There are many leaders from Ngcobo, but this town is not growing because of local people who block projects for their personal benefit. As traditional leaders, we are here to ensure that no one blocks this project,” he said.
