The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) announced in March that it expected to inject close to R2-billion into the Dr AB Xuma local municipality, in the Eastern Cape, when it implements its road maintenance projects over the next three years.

The roads agency said it will implement two road infrastructure development projects in the municipality, which include the road improvements of the R61 National Road between All Saints and Bayiza, as well as road improvements of the R61 National Road between Qumanco and eNgcobo.

The scope of work includes the upgrading of roads, bridges and culverts to improve road safety in the area.

Sanral has set aside a minimum of 30% of the project value to be subcontracted to small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) and a minimum of 8% of the project value will be set aside for local labour.

The construction tender closed on March 8, and the projects are envisaged to take place over three years, once a contractor is appointed.

Sanral southern region stakeholder coordinator Welekazi Ndika says project liaison committees (PLCs) will be established to ensure better communication and transparency on Sanral projects, as well as to ensure that work done on projects is seamless.

“PLCs will assist in creating a platform for project liaison, works execution, subcontracting and facilitating employment opportunities for local community members,” she adds.

Further, these opportunities must be open to young people, women, people with disabilities and military veterans.

While highlighting the country’s high unemployment rate among the youth, Ndika implored the youth to participate in PLC structures.

Training the Youth

Sanral southern region transformation unit Zenande Mpondo says the roads agency will train and develop SMME contractors to enhance their business acumen and tendering skills.

“All SMMEs will be required to undertake assessment and class activities during the training, and they will have to demonstrate competence to be awarded the unit standard,” she explains.

The unit standards are from the National Certificate: Construction Contracting National Qualification Framework 2, which is a skills programme that will have a credit value towards the National Certificate.

She mentions that it is Sanral’s commitment to ensure that SMMEs are assisted with information on tenders, as well as on development opportunities.

“Through our Supplier Development Desk, we are available to manage incoming queries from our Transformation Portal, telephonic queries, emails, as well as walk-ins,” she lauds.

Further, the desk also advises on upcoming training, workshops and transformation sessions that Sanral will host.

“We also offer guidelines for SMMEs on how to tender on the portal. This is just one of our ongoing efforts to ensure that we improve interaction with SMMEs,” Mpondo adds.

Sanral currently manages a road network of 5 334 km in the Eastern Cape, and the roads agency has recently taken over several roads in the province, which will increase its road network to 5 600 km.

In line with its strategic intent to ensure sustainability of the construction industry, Sanral intends to spend just over R55-billion between April 2024 and March 2027.