Additional informational on Bolani Road upgrade

The twenty townships road programme was initiated with the intention to eradicate all past imbalances created by the previous regime in townships that were built prior to 1994, to create opportunities for small contractor development and develop skills within township communities and economically empower disadvantaged groups within these communities.

This is in support of both provincial infrastructure and national government’s agenda to ensure access to basic services for the Soweto community and to achieve economic growth and improve the quality of life.

The main objectives of the programme:

• to deliver public infrastructure using labour intensive methods and to provide the unemployed, the poor, people with disabilities, women and the youth with work opportunities
• to provide training and economic empowerment to BEE contractors
• to improve roads and facilities that are used for public transport, and
• to improve the link between Soweto and the West Rand via Adcock Road (K15).

Description of the project

The project entailed the widening of 4km of Bolani Road in Jabulani, Soweto from Koma Street to Emndeni Bridge.

This included:

• construction of the road widening
• milling of the existing asphalt on a portion of the existing road and laying new overlay for the existing road
• upgrading of underground storm water drainage
• construction of sidewalks and relocation of existing services, and
• widening of the existing bridge

Summary of the Bolani Road project

Bolani Road was upgraded to the tune of R65, 844, 531.00 with the project upgrade commencing in March 2009. The original Contract Completion date was scheduled for September 2010 however due to among others inclement weather and delays in the relocation of existing services (some of which were only exposed during the construction phase), the upgrade was actually completed in September 2011.

The upgrade was carried out by Well Earned Trading - , a 100% black-owned company.

Jobs created through the upgrade of the Bolani Road

A total of 133 jobs were created during construction and 99 local beneficiaries received accredited training.  Beneficiaries were trained in the following skills:

• Expanded Public Works Progaemme (EPWP) Infrastructure Life Skills
• Career Guidance
• Usage and maintenance of hand tools in a Close Corporation site
• Laying Storm Water Drainage
• Erecting and maintenance of Guard Rails on a Close Corporation site
• Operating Light weight Roller and Vibrator
• Erection Signs - 10m2
• Paint road symbols using spray gun
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Supervision Phase 1
• Supervision Phase 2, and
• Project Management

The extended period of construction enabled an additional 34 people to undergo on-site training under a skills transfer program. The 133 beneficiaries were from the 6 wards along Bolani Road.

Directions to Bolani Road

• From the city (JHB) Take the M1 South,
• At the N1 North and N1, N12 South split, take N1 South N12 that is (Bloemfontein Kimberly).
• At the N1 and N12 split take N12 Kimberly.
• Just after passing the Sasol Petrol station on your left there are traffic lights.
• At the traffic lights turn right and proceed on Impala road.
• At the 4^th traffic light turn right into Emndeni link.
• Pass Emndeni Junior Secondary School on your left.
• Pass the 1^st short left street, and the event site will be on the 2^nd short.

Media enquiries:
Sam Monareng
Cell: 071 872 0744