WeeklySA_AdminIMPACT: The new project, spearheaded in partnership with Eastern Cape municipality, geared to transform the lives of rural communities living along the R61 stretch in Mthatha…
By Siyabonga Kamnqa
OFTEN characterised by gravel roads that become impassable during floods, an Eastern Cape rural village is finally getting a tar road that will change the lives of this far-flung community.
The South African National Road Agency Limited (SANRAL), in a pivotal move to transform road infrastructure and drive inclusive economic growth, this week launched the construction of Phase2 of the R61 road upgrade from All Saints village in Ngcobo to Bhaziya in Mthatha.
A collaboration with the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality, the infrastructure project is valued at over R13 billion and designed to enhance the road infrastructure and bring socio-economic benefits to villagers.
An elated Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality mayor Siyabulela Zangqa said a community engagement session was held this week and the contractor would undertake the project over a 39-month period.
“Quality road infrastructure is a cornerstone of any thriving economy and this project reaffirms our commitment as a government to invest in critical bulk infrastructure that lays the foundation for sustainable growth and improved quality of life for our people,” said Zangqa.
The scope of the construction included the widening of the existing R61 to accommodate two 3.7 metre-wide lanes with 2.5 wide-surfaced shoulders and 0.5 metre wide gravel edges, resulting in a total road width of 13.4 metres.
Villager Vusumzi Velem (74) said the project would change the lives of the community in many ways. “Unemployment is the biggest challenge facing our children. We spent our last cents sending them to school but, despite our efforts as parents, they continue to roam the streets unemployed. We are therefore grateful about projects like these,” said Velem.
Zangqa said the engineering works included the construction of major culverts and bridges spanning rivers and one dedicated to pedestrians. He said this would ensure that the route remains accessible and resilient under variable weather and environmental conditions.
In attendance were local chiefs, community leaders and business people. Ngcobo is home to struggle stalwarts such as Xuma and Walter Sisulu.
MIRROR Briefs
Passing of Mama GqabI
ANC veteran Aurelia Nomazotho Qgabi passed away at her Soweto home yesterday.
She was the wife of the late Joe Gqabi, who was assassinated in exile in Zimbabwe in the 1980s. Her life was marked by unwavering dedication, courage and steadfast commitment to the struggle for justice and equality in South Africa.
In a statement, the ANC said it mourned her passing while also honouring “the incredible legacy she leaves behind — one of resilience, integrity, and service”.
Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at the following address: 3344 Rantsoe Street, Protea Glen Extension 2, Soweto.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Qgabi family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by Mama Aurelia Nomazotho Qgabi. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” the ANC said. – WSAM Reporter
LIVES LOST IN FLOODS
Cabinet has expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their loved ones during the devastating storms and heavy floods that claimed the lives of 57 people in the Eastern Cape.
Due to the recent adverse weather conditions in the province, several families have been displaced and infrastructure was damaged.
Addressing a media briefing , Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said government was coordinating rescue and support operations through the inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Disaster Management.
“Emergency teams have also been deployed from Gqeberha, East London and the Chris Hani District to the affected areas to support local first responders.
Cabinet extends its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the flooding across various areas in the Eastern Cape,” Ntshavheni said in Cape Town, during a media briefing on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting.
Earlier this week, a severe winter weather system resulted in a significant and dramatic drop in daytime temperatures in all provinces. This resulted in severe incidents of extremely cold weather, with coastal provinces experiencing rough seas and rainfall. The Eastern Cape was the hardest hit by the severe weather conditions.
A scholar transport minibus transporting children was swept by water near Mthatha, leading to the loss of life. Some media reports said three children survived the ordeal after they were found clinging to a tree. – SAnews
AKA’S MURDER TRIAL DATE SET
KwaZulu-Natal judge president Thoba Poyo-Dlwati has called on the State and defence teams to iron out issues in pretrial proceedings in the case of the five men accused of the murder of rapper Kiernan AKA Forbes and who appeared in the Durban High Court this week.
Poyo-Dlwati was speaking at what was expected to be a pretrial conference where senior prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba asked for a postponement to July 24.
“On previous occasions we were not able to finalise the pretrial due to issues of legal representations of the accused. We request the pretrial to be set down for July,” said Gcaba.
Forbes and his celebrity chef friend, Tebello Motsoane, were gunned down at the now defunct Wish restaurant in Florida Road in February 2023.
Thabani Mkhwanazi, (30), Lindani Zenzele Ndimande (35), Siyanda Eddie Myeza (21), Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni (36) and Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande (29), were arrested in February last year in connection with the murders.
The five face a raft of charges including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Poyo-Dlwati said they planned to set down the trial for three months and expected it to commence next year. – Fullview
TRANSNET, UNIONS IN PAY DEAL
State-owned ports and freight-rail company, Transnet, has reached a pay deal with its two recognised labour unions, averting a strike that threatened to disrupt mineral and agricultural exports. The agreement, which followed an arbitration process led by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, provided for 6% annual increases for three years, including the current financial year, Transnet said in a statement.
The United National Transport Union, which represents more than half of Transnet’s 46 000 employees, had previously rejected a wage increase offer of 6% annually in the first two years starting April 1 and 5.5% in the third year.
“The finalisation of the three-year wage agreement provides labour stability and will enable the company to focus on its immediate strategic priorities of improving operational and financial performance,” Transnet said in the statement.
The deal includes increases to basic salary, pension fund contributions, medical aid subsidies and housing allowances, the company said. Both unions — UNTU and the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union — have accepted the offer. The above-inflation pay increase would put further strain on Transnet’s finances. Moody’s Ratings had placed the company assessment on review, warning that it would run out of money for operations and debt-servicing within three months unless it received a government bailout. – Fullview
