official opening of Main Road 568 held at Macekane Sports Ground at
Empangeni
26 March 2009
Programme director and Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department, Mr BC
Hlabisa
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Bheki
Cele
Limpopo MEC for Roads and Public Transport, Mr Cassel Mathale
Members of the legislature
Your Worship the Mayor of Ntambanana Municipality, Cllr BJ Biyela
Other mayors and councillors present
Inkosi Mthembu and all other Amakhosi present
Archbishop Dr B Madlopha
Heads of department
Government officials
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
We are gathered here today for the official opening of Main Road 568
(Empangeni to Macekane to KwaSomopho). This event, yet again, bears testimony
to our commitment, as the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, to provide
sustainable road infrastructure networks in this province so that we create a
better life for all.
Since 2004, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has worked, tirelessly,
towards firmly establishing peace in the province. As a result, we have moved
from being a province of confrontation and political violence to peace,
democracy and prosperity. During the period 2004 to 2009, KwaZulu-Natal
experienced the longest period of peaceful co-existence in many years.
It is this peace which has led to the entrenchment of democracy and, as a
consequence, we have brought about unparalleled investment, tourism and
delivery in the history of this province.
A solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal has been
laid. Our presence here today is clear testimony of our government's
determination to uplift the lives of the majority of our citizens in this
province, through the development of road infrastructure.
As we move closer and closer to host the much-anticipated 2010 FIFA World
Cup, we have a mandate to ensure that our transport infrastructure and systems
are ready.
South Africa will be remembered, positively or negatively, for the good or
bad work that will emerge from our performance of handling this tournament. But
with regard to transport infrastructure we should also bear in mind that our
investments in infrastructure should go a long way after the 2010 games are
gone.
You will agree with me that transport infrastructure is at the core of all
human beings' social and economic development throughout South Africa, without
which the transportation of people and goods would be a nightmare. As per our
contract with the people of KwaZulu-Natal in 2004, through the KwaZulu-Natal
Department of Transport (DoT), we have ensured and continue to ensure that the
roads, bridges and infrastructure we build benefit our poorest communities. We
ensure that the roads we build are a means of access to economic resources and
prosperity.
We also ensure that the public transport we manage is user friendly,
accessible, safe, affordable and ultimately of benefit to the men and women of
not only Durban North or UMlazi, but also to the men and women at uMsinga,
eNkandla and eMahlabathini.
We have and continue to ensure that we integrate our road planning network
such that communities in the deep rural areas have access to schools, clinics,
hospitals and other services. It is against this background, therefore, that
our people, who were previously disadvantaged, are now on record giving
testimony that, indeed, we do follow-up on our commitments.
A total of R61,37 million has been spent on Main Road 568, including the
construction of a bridge. This project, to date, has created 18 960 person days
of temporary local employment of which, 86 women, 119 youth and 207 men have
benefited. Approximately R2,04 million was spent on wages and R1,2 million
spent on materials purchased locally for grade one contractors. A total of
R3,11 million was spent on 24 grade one contractors.
A building that was erected for the purpose of the engineer's site offices
will be handed over to the community at the end of construction. The Project
Liaison Committee (PLC) has proposed to utilise it as a Health Care Centre
(HCC). Through the implementation of Operation Kushunquthuli, we have changed
people's lives. We have invested over R1,8 billion in road infrastructure in
the Uthungulu District alone.
These projects include:
Operation Kushunquthuli
Project name: Nsuze (Gawulashiye) Pedestrian Bridge
Project description: Pedestrian Bridge
Project cost: R4 000 000
Project name: P499/P494-Dondotha Road
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R85 000 000
Road for Rural Development
Project name: P568; P230 to P493 (Macekana)
Project description: Upgrade to blacktop surface
Project cost: R 47 000 000
Project name: D135, Catherine Booth Road
Project description: Betterment
Project cost: R9 800 000
Project name: D877/D130; Luwamba/Upper Mseleni
Project description: Upgrade to blacktop surface
Project cost: R16 800 000
Project name: P218+P710 Mbongolwana
Project description: Upgrade to blacktop surface
Project cost: R76 900 000
African Renaissance Road upgrade programme
Project name: P240; Obanjeni/KwaMaqwakazi
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R238 500 000
Project name: P230; Mandawe/KwaNcekana
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R165 076 000
Project name: P15: Woshi River - Komo
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R146 990 000
Project name: P50/2; Komo-Entumeni
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R51 500 000
Project name: P50/2 Samani; Komo-Nkandla
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R168 090 000
Roads of national importance
Project name: P496; John Ross Highway
Project description: Upgrade to Dual Carriage way
Project cost: R 877 000 000
Grand total
Project cost: R1 886 656 000
Through the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, our provincial government
is making major investments into transport infrastructure in the province that
will create a lasting legacy after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. These include:
* eThekwini Municipality - R102 Upgrading: This project comprises the
upgrading of 16 kilometres of Main Road 2 to 4 lanes between Duffs Road to King
Shaka International Airport/Dube Trade Port, and 3 kilometres of Main Road 94
to 6 lanes between Mount Edgecombe Interchange to the N2.
* uMgungundlovu Football Development Area: A road upgrade on P399 between
Taylors Halt and Nxamalala will be key to the flow of traffic within the city
and will be complemented by the Intermodal Public Transport Facilities which
will make accessibility of public transport to various destinations easier.
* Ugu Football Development Area: An upgrade on P68 which links Umgodi to
Lushaba via St Faiths and forms a transport corridor from High Flats to Port
Shepstone, is currently under construction, and is expected to be completed
before the 2010 kick-off.
* uThungulu Football Development Area: In this District Municipality,
Richards Bay will be utilised as a base camp. Projects which are currently
under construction include P496 (John Ross Highway) which forms part of the
Empangeni and Richards Bay Transport Corridor.
* Amajuba football development area: The construction of P296 that links
Buhle-Bomzinyathi to Osizweni and moves on the Dundee to Newcastle Transport
Corridor will be completed before 2010.
The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department also offers various learning
opportunities to students, especially in technical fields such as civil
engineering. These programmes are designed to afford opportunities, as well as
skills development, to people who were previously designated as disadvantaged â
to gain support and be able to contribute positively towards the growth of the
economy.
During the current financial year, the following bursaries have been
offered:
* 16 BSC Civil Engineering
* 4 BSC Mechanical Engineering
* 137 National Diplomas in Civil Engineering
* 10 National Diplomas in Mechanical Engineering
* 8 National Diplomas in Transportation Management
Since 2004 the following programmes have been successfully implemented:
Operation Kushunquthuli, Road Safety Education, Siyazenzela Waste Management
Programme, Commuter Associations, the Transport Academy and the Road Monitoring
Programme.
I am also, particularly, proud to announce that we will achieve our target
of 40 000 Zibambele contractors by the end of 2009. The successes of these
programmes are, indeed, a benchmark against which we can judge the progress we
have made in the empowerment of our people.
Ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, I must say that the KwaZulu-Natal
Provincial Government has made significant progress since 2004. We can all look
at these mighty bridges and roads, airports, railway lines and pedestrian
facilities that are available today and applaud the men and women involved in
these projects, under our hard-working MEC for Transport, Community Safety and
Liaison, Mr Bheki Cele.
Allow me to extend my sincere appreciation for the time you took to attend
this official opening of Main Road 568 today. It is my hope that the
communities of this area will treasure these resources and guard them
jealously.
But, together we can do more.
Masisukume Sakhe!
Thank you.
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
26 March 2009
