CHANGE IS GOOD
Ever since its establishment in 1998, SANRAL has sought to be the differentiator that changes people’s lives. This has been achieved in many ways - from the type of roads it engineers to the kind of people it employs. In keeping with its character as an organisation that strives to always exceed goals set, SANRAL is forging ahead with creating a new narrative around transformation which will benefit the citizenry of South Africa. By recognising its role in the construction sector and related industries, and the impact its procurement policies and practices have on millions of people across South Africa, SANRAL accepts the responsibility that it has to be one of many that transforms the construction industry. To this end, SANRAL is going on nationwide transformation stakeholder engagements where it will introduce South Africans to its vision for the future. In its Horizon 2030 Strategy, SANRAL aims to make this vision a reality. A major element of this new strategy is its Transformation Policy. An organisation like SANRAL is and has always been solutions-driven. These workshops will communicate SANRAL’s intent to involve black businesses compromising contractors, professionals, suppliers and service providers in all SANRAL commissioned projects, beyond the minimum levels set by law. SANRAL is providing a solution on how to maximise their participation, especially women, the youth, the disabled and military veterans. The SANRAL transformation and stakeholder engagements team will be travelling to more than 20 cities and towns, giving over 30 workshops, to hundreds of people at a time, discussing and engaging with stakeholders from all walks of life. Taking part in these workshops will be players in the construction industry, SMMEs, chambers of commerce, business forums, national, provincial and local government representatives. The South African government and its state-owned entities continue to open up doors that allow for its citizens to be active participants in the country’s mainstream economy. The National Development Plan (NDP) describes South Africa’s road network as the country’s largest single public asset. SANRAL has been the custodian of national roads that form the core of this network and stretches into all none provinces - linking cities to towns and people to places of work and interest. The NDP describes in detail how the national and provincial road network links to broader transport strategies, including the intention to shift freight haulage from road to rail, the future of long-distance passenger transport options and the need to prevent further deterioration of local and provincial roads through timely and effective maintenance. In meeting the NDP objectives, following its launch by Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi, Horizon 2030 – SANRAL’s long-term strategy - highlights the role that the national road network can play in reducing inequality and eliminate poverty. These efforts will assist in growing the economy of South Africa. Horizon 2030 covers all aspects of SANRAL’s mandate, including the design, construction and management of the national road network, future funding models for road development and the role that infrastructure can play in road safety. The strategy is anchored on four pillars:
• Roads: SANRAL has a primary mandate to manage and control the national road network and take charge, amongst others, of the development, maintenance and rehabilitation of national roads.
Road Safety: South Africa has among the highest road crash fatality rates in the world. South Africa is committed to the United Nations’ Decade of Action to stabilise and reduce the level of road traffic fatalities. SANRAL supports the Safe Systems approach to road safety which involves the provision of safe road infrastructure that reduces the risk of a serious injury or death when a crash occurs, as well as the implementation of road safety educational and awareness programmes that will lead to changed attitudes and behaviour among all road users.
Stakeholders: SANRAL serves a wide spectrum of stakeholders ranging from road users (private as well as transporters) who commute on the road network on a regular basis to communities who live in close proximity to the roads. SANRAL also continues to reach out to stakeholders in all the three spheres of government.
Mobility: The efficient and safe movement of people and goods are key to the economic upliftment of all South Africans. Rapid developments in technology and innovative transport solutions, presents significant opportunities to ensure inclusive and integrated economic growth. A seamless connection between the various road users, road networks and transport modes, will promote such growth.
Transformation is one of eight enablers that support these pillars. SANRAL, through its Transformation Policy, intends to open up the economy to all. Thereby transforming itself and the construction sector and related industries to continue meet the citizenry’s basic socio-economic needs.