Balasela awards
2 March 2009
The Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport has scooped seven
Balasela awards, which were presented by Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni in
East London on Friday. Balasela is an isiXhosa word that signifies
excellence.
The awards were for the following:
* Sakha Isizwe Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)/Community-Based
Transportation Household Contractors Programme (Gold)
* Kei Rail Project (Silver)
* Bhisho Airport (Silver)
* Road safety schools debate (Bronze)
* Ngcingcinikhwe Access Road Project (Bronze)
* Departmentâs Award for accelerating the moderniSation of government process
through the Balasela Programme (Bronze)
* Mr Thabo Cweba: Director Organisational Development, for successful
implementation of the Balasela programme in the Department of Roads and
Transport
Sakha Isizwe EPWP/Community-Based Transportation Household Contractors
Programme
The programme benefits the poorest of the poor, especially women headed
household representatives throughout the province. Their work includes weekly
roadside maintenance work such as bush clearing, roadside cleaning and grass
cutting. A total of 9 593 household contractors have been appointed to date, of
which 5 095 are women.
Kei Rail Project
Since the start of its operations in March 2008, Kei Rail has transported more
than 6300 people and made a revenue of more than R85 000. This number is
expected to increase due to the introduction of the daily service on 1 March
2009 and eight more stations have been added on the line to improve
accessibility for rural communities.
This service has already had its socio-economic impact, especially on job
creation and poverty alleviation, which included:
* 424 employment opportunities, especially for youth (258), women (99) and
people with disabilities (four)
* R43 million which was paid to contractors, of which R21,9 million was spent
on 40 SMMEs.
There are 44 students, who are currently undergoing training on this line as
track masters, train drivers, train control offices, operationsâ managers,
track welders and train managers.
Since last year, the Department of Roads and Transport has played a pivotal
role in bringing the Phelophepha train on this line to provide rural people
with healthcare services at their doorstep at very affordable prices.
As a result:
* 24 497 patients were treated in 2008
* 2 474 patients treated in 2009
* 223 602 students treated in 2008
* 318 students treated in 2009
Bhisho Airport
A total of R76 million has been spent on the refurbishment of the airport and
more than 170 local people were employed. More jobs are expected to be created
when the airport starts its operations. Currently, it serves as a satellite for
the Port Alfred-based 43 air school for advanced pilot training programme and
has become a home for many international students.
This development will be followed by the upgrading of the Mthatha Airport,
which is expected to commence in July 2009. Detailed designs have been
submitted to the department and were showcased at the OR Tambo District
Municipality Investment Conference last week.
Media contact:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Cell: 0824422388
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
2 March 2009
