Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia De Lille and Kwazulu-Natal Transport MEC, Kwazi Mshengu to unveil three recently completed bridges in Ekhamanzi, Kwazulu Natal
On Thursday, 11 March 2021, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia de Lille, Deputy Minister, Noxolo Kiviet along with the MEC for Transport in KwaZulu Natal, Kwazi Mshengu and other local leaders will officially unveil three recently completed bridges in Ekhamanzi in the uMshwathi Local municipality that will significantly improve the community’s access to social amenities such as schools and clinics.
The Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme was gazetted as a Strategic Integrated Project in July 2020 as part of government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan approved by Cabinet in May 2020.
The Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme is aimed at providing safe access to social amenities and further respond to potential disaster areas and emergency disaster situations.
The intervention is done through the construction of Modular Steel Bridges.
The Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPWI) and Department of Defense & Military Veterans (DOD) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the implementation of Welisizwe Programme within the Republic of South Africa. Subsequently, the DPWI and the KZN Department of Transport entered into MOA on the implementation of Welisizwe Programme within KwaZulu Natal province.
The KwaZulu Natal province was identified as a key area for this intervention following inclement weather conditions caused by severe thunderstorm which resulted in adverse effects on both human life and property.
DPWI and SANDF undertook technical assessments in the identified potential disaster sites in KwaZulu Natal and the KwaZulu Natal Department of Transport (KZN DOT) has committed funds for the installation of the fourteen (14) bridges in KZN province.
Two teams from SANDF were deployed in 2020 with DPWI assisting in a coordinating role to install the bridges in Ekhamanzi and other areas within the province.
Since April 2020, 8 of the 14 bridges have been completed in the KwaZulu Natal Province.
Minister de Lille, Deputy Minister Kiviet, MEC Mshengu and other local leaders will unveil the three bridges officially on Thursday 11 March. Details are as follows:
Date: 11 March 2020
Time: 10:00am
Location/Meeting point: Ekhamanzi Primary School, uMshwati Municipality
All media are welcome to attend and are reminded to follow strict COVID 19 safety protocols.
Media enquiries:
Zara Nicholson
Cell: 079 416 5996
E-mail: Zara.Nicholson@dpw.gov.za
