Safety and Liaison Mr Bheki Cele at the sod turning of Nyelela Pedestrian
Bridge, Mabedlane
6 March 2009
Protocol observed
* Our gathering here today for the sod turning of the bridge is indicative
of the fact that the good relationship and the trust have gone from strength to
strength in the past five years between our government and communities.
* It is not surprising that our people who were previously disadvantaged are
now on record giving testimony that indeed, we do follow-up on our commitments.
They give testimony that as a democratically elected government we serve our
people irrespective of which political party they belong to.
* Today we are responding to a request by the community that a bridge be
constructed that will serve approximately 75 households in this area. People
want to have access to crèches, schools in the area and main road for public
transport.
* Because our government has ears to listen, today we are committing
ourselves to an investment of R11,4 million for the construction of Nyelela
Pedestrian Bridge.
* We know that Zululand is one of the areas in the province where people
still travel kilometres on foot to the nearest clinic, hospital, school,
pension payout and have to undress everyday to cross rivers. It is on that
score that the Department of Transport (DoT) has invested R1,5 billion in this
district to deal with infrastructure challenges under Operation
Kushunquthuli.
* We have injected cash in projects that include, among others, D1820, D487,
P700, P432, P235/ P49/ P52, P234, Umbhudula Road Qwasha River Road Bridge,
Mpembeni, Sikhwebezi Pedestrian Bridge, Thombothi River Bridge, Obivane River
Bridge, Wela River Bridge, KwaBhanya Vehicle Bridge, Intethe River Bridge and
Nsonyane Bridge.
* This is not the first time we have government in the history of South
Africa and KwaZulu-Natal in particular. But our people where these
infrastructure projects were constructed bear testimony of how much improved
their lives have been.
* In line with our policy, construction the cost must remain an economic
benefit to the local communities where contractors source all materials from
the area and employ all artisans and labour from the nearby communities. There
must be no political preferences in this regard.
* As a society, we are facing challenges such as crime, AIDS, poverty,
unemployment etc. These challenges can only be addressed under certain
circumstances which include peace, democracy and development. These are
preconditions of a better life for all.
* Apart from the R1,5 billion investment under Operation Kushunquthuli, this
district now has 3 575 Zibambele contractors. There are 211 savings clubs and
they have saved R1 433 980 to date.
* We have also had other activities in areas under Mahlabathini and Nongoma
RRTFs, such as regravellings at the tune of R38 million, construction of local
roads to the value of R6 million and construction of causeways at the cost of
R5,7 million.
* In conclusion the figure for pedestrian bridges to be built in
KwaZulu-Natal has increased dramatically to more than 400. Unfortunately,
funding at our disposal is not enough to build the required pedestrian
bridges.
* However, we will try to address the backlog to the best of our abilities
in the spirit of Operation Kushunquthuli and ultimately so that the quality of
lives of the people of KwaZulu-Natal is better than yesterday and their
tomorrow is better than today.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
6 March 2009
Source: Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kzntransport.gov.za)
