SMMEs benefit from R22 road upgrade
THE completion of the R22 upgrade in northern KZN has positively impacted the lives of the KwaNgwanase community, with some 230 families benefitting from job opportunities.
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) completed the two-year, multi-million rand upgrade which covered a 3km stretch of road and a 2.8km bypass that connects the N2 in Hluhluwe with the Mozambique border at Kosi Bay, through Mbazwana and KwaNgwanase.
Around R35-million was set aside for local SMMEs owned by women and youth within uMhlabuyalingana Municipality.
One beneficiary, Sizwe Mncube (24) of Ekuthukuzeni in KwaNgwanase, described the project as 'life-changing'.
Another beneficiary, Thobile Gumede (28) said, "I am witnessing a great development in my town, and I am happy to be part of this history. We have learnt a lot – including being cautious on the road because some careless drivers can kill us."
The R22 was upgraded from two to four lanes, and stormwater drains were built under the main road in town. The road has been furnished with street lighting to improve the general safety of road users post-construction.
Street traders
uMhlabuyalingana Mayor Thembinkosi Khumalo said, "When the project started, we had to move street traders from the road to an appropriate place to continue doing business, without disturbing the road project.
"Sanral donated 10 market stalls for street traders to continue the business. We are so grateful that the bypass road has been surfaced, giving road users the option to avoid town because it causes a lot of traffic."
Sanral also included a project for the construction of 50 market stalls where some of the informal traders within the R22 road reserve have been relocated.
This project was carried out in two phases using two local subcontractors.
A separate project was undertaken for the construction of an animal pound for the municipality to reduce the number of stray animals along the route, thereby improving the safety of the travelling public.
"The approaches on both sides of the town have been improved through widening and rehabilitation of the existing road to include surfaced shoulders. Along the urban section through town, the upgraded road provides four lanes with concrete sidewalks and improved access to business properties," said Sanral Eastern Region project manager Andrew Ssekayita.