To mark the department’s Construction Week Campaign, which aims to highlight the milestones in the Construction Sector, The MEC for Public Works Ms E. S. Mabe visited the town of Kroonstad.
The outreach also included a site visit of all the projects that the department is undertaking in the area of Kroonstad, this in a bid to get first- hand information on progress to date and to ensure the achievement of the departmental mandate.
“As the key drivers of the provision and management of sustainable infrastructure to our client departments, it is equally important that I come and interact with the workers on site, contractors and regional staff members of the department from time to time,” MEC Mabe emphasised.
The MEC kick-started the outreach with a briefing session with relevant Stakeholders in the Construction Field and as well as departmental staff members at the Public Works Regional Offices, followed by a site visit to the Rev ZR Mahabane House, a walk-about at the Jacob Zuma Park in Marabastad and a construction site visit at the Johan Slabbert School. “I am satisfied so far with the progress of the three sites we visited today,” said MEC Mabe.
As part of maintaining and protecting the cultural legacy of the Province, the Reverend ZR Mahabane House was identified as one of the projects that would need to be upgraded as a Heritage Site and Museum. The department therefore undertook to restore the house to its former glory, maintaining its original structure, whilst also providing accommodation to the remaining members of the Mahabane Family. To complement the scope of work and look of the Rev Mahabane House, the department erected a palisade fence around the whole house.
At the Jacob Zuma Park, the department erected a perimeter wall that will serve as a security border for the residents and their houses. The execution of the whole project showed significant technical considerations that include heavily reinforced individual solid cement plates that will aid any future expansions of the site. On the other hand, the department of Public Works is constructing classrooms, workshops (for welding, woodwork and welding), administration block, a sports area and a hall at the Johan Slabbert School on behalf of the Department of Education.
Upon wrapping up the visit, MEC Sisi Mabe and regional technical team in the Fezile Dabi District expressed their satisfaction with the progress at the three sites. The Reverend ZR Mahabane project managed to create 15 work opportunities for locals, including 3 local contractors. The Jacob Zuma Perimeter wall fencing created 20 work opportunities for locals while subcontracting 3 local contractors. The Johan Slabbert School has, to date, recorded 7 local contractors and 20 local work opportunities, which is expected to increase as the project advances.
“What we saw here today is really satisfactory, I am impressed with the developments of our projects as we execute our mandate of providing this much needed infrastructure to our client departments and communities for sustainable infrastructure development,” MEC Mabe concluded.
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MEC Elisa Mabe applauds progress during Construction Week campaign
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