Speech notes by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr Bheki Cele during sod turning at Sangoyana, Ulundi

All Protocol Observed

We are gathered here today to say that as government of KwaZulu-Natal, we continue where we ended before elections. We recognise that people of KwaZulu-Natal have renewed their confidence and mandate in our democratic government.

As government, we undertake to use the power and authority bestowed by our people solely for their upliftment and realisation of a better life for all our people. We want to ensure that all our work talks to our agenda and priorities in the coming five years improving service delivery, fighting poverty, unemployment, crime and corruption, promoting rural development and revamping our health and education systems.

It gives me great pleasure, therefore that today we are turning the sod for Novoco River Bridge and realignment of the road. The reason for this new structure is that when heavy rainfalls occur, the present pipe culvert structure is not able cope with the increased volume of water in this river causing the river to flood the road.

This flooding of the road cuts off the local community from Ulundi. Vehicles are unable to cross and the road gets damaged due to the flooding. This means that school children cannot attend school in the area, namely, Mahlabathini High School and Nsikayendlu High School.

This vehicle bridge will be 93 metres long and when preliminary design report is completed, we will then have the total budget estimate, the start date and anticipated construction completion date.

Indeed, this project is yet another indication of our government’s resolve to strengthen our commitment to bring hope to those communities most in need, so that they too can have just cause to celebrate a better life for all.

The development of access roads and bridges and the promotion of labour intensive construction methods are important focus areas that will enable our government to provide the much needed infrastructure in remote rural communities, and ensure that jobs are created where they are needed the most.

This focus is consistent with the Presidential call for infrastructure delivery through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and calls for the provision of rural transport infrastructure and services in order to ensure access and mobility in rural areas.

As the MEC for Transport in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, I have a political mandate of ensuring that we restore the dignity of female teachers and learners who have to undress when they cross rivers. I have a political mandate of ensuring that neither individual nor organisations will stop us from bringing infrastructure to our people.

I have always emphasised that as government spheres we need to work together to ensure that our people have a better life. This department is always prepared to assist municipalities with capacity when planning road infrastructure irrespective of which political party is leading that municipality.

In conclusion, as the voting public, you gave this democratically elected government the mandate to use its budgets to secure equity and the abolition of poverty.

Our budgets should reach grassroots communities and make a real tangible difference in the lives of poor people who are our majority citizens and our majority voters.

I thank you

Source: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government

Province

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