Safety and Liaison Mr Bheki Cele at the opening of the Mondlo mine road
7 April 2009
Protocol observed
* Our government regards the provision of access as a fundamental component
of economic reconstruction and development. It is on that score that the
Department of Transport (DoT) committed itself that the Mondlo Mine access road
be upgraded to a well engineered gravel road standard, in order to promote job
opportunities through mining in the area.
* It all started in August 1997 when communities from Mondlo, Vryheid,
Mahlabathini, eDumbe, Nongoma, etc met and formed a committee to represent
these areas in the idea of re-opening mines in and around the Vryheid area,
which had been closed prior to the 1994 elections.
* The Department of Transport supported the initiative of re-opening mines
around Vryheid, as it is the department's intention to help emerging merchants
to realise their aspirations in terms of economic development in the
province.
* The total length of the road is seven kilometres; the first phase of
construction commenced in March 2006 and the duration was two months. The
expenditure totalled to R1,2 million. The second phase of the project commenced
in February 2008 and the duration was two months at the tune of R2,1
million.
* From the geological reports, eNgunjini mine has a life span of ten years
but the committee has received the extension of another 10 years from the
Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) so to say they will mine for over 20
years.
* About 200 local people will get job opportunities on the opening of the
mine, for a period of about 20 years, not only general labourers will benefit
from the project but also skilled people like e.g. tradesmen and artisans.
Local suppliers will also benefit from the project as the coal mine will be
closer to them, they will not buy from other towns.
* As a democratically elected government we have an obligation to serve our
people irrespective of which political party they belong to. It is in this
context that we set our selves a goal of achieving a better life for all.
* However, a better life will not just float in a foundation-less space. It
is based on certain fundamentals and preconditions. Preconditions for a better
life include peace, democracy and development.
* 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 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.
* Indeed, our people are now on record saying that they have only begun to
see change in their lives through our democratic government's development
programmes.
* May I take this opportunity to congratulate the community of Zululand
District on all the road and bridge projects they have received and yet to
receive.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
7 April 2009
Source: Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kzntransport.gov.za)
