685 kilometers of rural roads set for upgrade

Last updated on 23 April 2022

President Cyril Ramaphosa announces project for major make up of rural roads in State of the Nation Address 2022

Mokgadi Mogy Mashako

Villagers believe the opening of a road project by President Cyril Ramaphosa will bring economic opportunity and assist in safer daily commutes.

Thakgalane villagers under the Greater Letaba Municipality in Limpopo, has been upgraded since the completion of a 40 km road that is part of the S’hamba Sonke flagship programme set to cover Limpopo’s R36 route via Morebeng to the D11 road in Tshabelane, under the Capricorn and Mopani district municipalities.

This project forms part of the Department of Transport’s National plan to ramp up rural access road projects that will connect a number of district municipalities.

The road composing mainly of paving, asphalt and concrete is set to change the lives of the unemployed, working class and youth who meander through hills and rivers to access basic amenities.

President Ramaphosa, who was part of the road’s assessment team, was flanked by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha, and MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure Dickson Masemola together with other dignitaries, and said the progress of the project thus far is commendable.

“We must build the industry around road building, meaning we should empower local industries and source materials from the locals”.

The setting up of local suppliers would not only result in improving rural infrastructure but avail to villagers’ work opportunities right at their doorstep.

The president highlighted the discouragement faced by many aspiring entrepreneurs in rural areas that are affected by inaccessibility to their businesses due to poor infrastructure.

 “We will be able to move our goods and produce, which is what will cause companies to emerge because they would have a way in which to transport their goods”, said Ramaphosa.

He however admitted that more focus could be channeled to the maintenance of roads after completion. He urged local government to take a leaf from provinces like Kwa Zulu Natal and the Eastern Cape by hiring villagers to assist in keeping infrastructure maintained.

“Locals receive public employment stipends and are allocated say half a kilometer, and you find that the road is well looked after”, Ramaphosa added.

Minister Mbalula reiterated the point of having appointed contractors in Thakgalane as opposed to favouring those outside the area.

“We didn’t use businesses from Seshego, the mandate was to work with people from right here in Thakgalane to construct this road”, stated Mbalula.

The second part of the programme saw school learners of both Morebeng and Lephai Secondary schools being handed over 256 bicycles which is part of the Shovakuluva project.

As many a rural village in Limpopo learners face the daily task of walking long distances through arid fields and thin pathways in hopes finding the keys out of poverty through education. One such learner is Angela Mokoma who said the bicycles are a game changer.

“It’s a no-brainer that this bike will half my travel time which will afford me more time with my books, and hopefully better grades”, Mokoma expressed.

Her peer, Koketso Ramare from Lephai Secondary School, stressed how much weight had been lifted off his shoulders because of his new set of wheels.

He delighted in knowing that he wouldn’t have to worry about taking off his uniform to cross the river in order to get to school in dry clothes.

In his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, president Ramaphosa announced that the rural roads programme will use labour intensive methods to construct or upgrade 685 kilometres of rural road over the next three years.

Read the full speech here: https://www.gov.za/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa-2022-state-nation-address-10-feb-2022-0000

He said this social enterprise programme includes access roads in Limpopo and Eastern Cape, gravel to surface upgrades in Free State and North West, and capacity and connectivity improvements in the Western Cape.

“For millions of South Africans in rural areas, roads and bridges provide access to markets, employment opportunities and social services. Yet, many children still have to brave overflowing rivers to reach schools and motorists have to battle impassable roads to reach the next town,” Ramaphosa said.

“We are therefore upscaling the Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme to deliver 95 bridges a year from the current 14,” he said. news@mukurukuru.co.za