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26 March 2009

Programme director and Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department, Mr BC Hlabisa
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Bheki Cele
Limpopo MEC for Roads and Public Transport, Mr Cassel Mathale
Members of the legislature
Your Worship the Mayor of Ntambanana Municipality, Cllr BJ Biyela
Other mayors and councillors present
Inkosi Mthembu and all other Amakhosi present
Archbishop Dr B Madlopha
Heads of department
Government officials
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

We are gathered here today for the official opening of Main Road 568 (Empangeni to Macekane to KwaSomopho). This event, yet again, bears testimony to our commitment, as the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, to provide sustainable road infrastructure networks in this province so that we create a better life for all.

Since 2004, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has worked, tirelessly, towards firmly establishing peace in the province. As a result, we have moved from being a province of confrontation and political violence to peace, democracy and prosperity. During the period 2004 to 2009, KwaZulu-Natal experienced the longest period of peaceful co-existence in many years.

It is this peace which has led to the entrenchment of democracy and, as a consequence, we have brought about unparalleled investment, tourism and delivery in the history of this province.

A solid foundation for a democratic and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal has been laid. Our presence here today is clear testimony of our government's determination to uplift the lives of the majority of our citizens in this province, through the development of road infrastructure.

As we move closer and closer to host the much-anticipated 2010 FIFA World Cup, we have a mandate to ensure that our transport infrastructure and systems are ready.

South Africa will be remembered, positively or negatively, for the good or bad work that will emerge from our performance of handling this tournament. But with regard to transport infrastructure we should also bear in mind that our investments in infrastructure should go a long way after the 2010 games are gone.

You will agree with me that transport infrastructure is at the core of all human beings' social and economic development throughout South Africa, without which the transportation of people and goods would be a nightmare. As per our contract with the people of KwaZulu-Natal in 2004, through the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport (DoT), we have ensured and continue to ensure that the roads, bridges and infrastructure we build benefit our poorest communities. We ensure that the roads we build are a means of access to economic resources and prosperity.

We also ensure that the public transport we manage is user friendly, accessible, safe, affordable and ultimately of benefit to the men and women of not only Durban North or UMlazi, but also to the men and women at uMsinga, eNkandla and eMahlabathini.

We have and continue to ensure that we integrate our road planning network such that communities in the deep rural areas have access to schools, clinics, hospitals and other services. It is against this background, therefore, that our people, who were previously disadvantaged, are now on record giving testimony that, indeed, we do follow-up on our commitments.

A total of R61,37 million has been spent on Main Road 568, including the construction of a bridge. This project, to date, has created 18 960 person days of temporary local employment of which, 86 women, 119 youth and 207 men have benefited. Approximately R2,04 million was spent on wages and R1,2 million spent on materials purchased locally for grade one contractors. A total of R3,11 million was spent on 24 grade one contractors.

A building that was erected for the purpose of the engineer's site offices will be handed over to the community at the end of construction. The Project Liaison Committee (PLC) has proposed to utilise it as a Health Care Centre (HCC). Through the implementation of Operation Kushunquthuli, we have changed people's lives. We have invested over R1,8 billion in road infrastructure in the Uthungulu District alone.

These projects include:

Operation Kushunquthuli

Project name: Nsuze (Gawulashiye) Pedestrian Bridge
Project description: Pedestrian Bridge
Project cost: R4 000 000

Project name: P499/P494-Dondotha Road
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R85 000 000

Road for Rural Development
Project name: P568; P230 to P493 (Macekana)
Project description: Upgrade to blacktop surface
Project cost: R 47 000 000

Project name: D135, Catherine Booth Road
Project description: Betterment
Project cost: R9 800 000

Project name: D877/D130; Luwamba/Upper Mseleni
Project description: Upgrade to blacktop surface
Project cost: R16 800 000

Project name: P218+P710 Mbongolwana
Project description: Upgrade to blacktop surface
Project cost: R76 900 000

African Renaissance Road upgrade programme

Project name: P240; Obanjeni/KwaMaqwakazi
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R238 500 000

Project name: P230; Mandawe/KwaNcekana
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R165 076 000

Project name: P15: Woshi River - Komo
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R146 990 000

Project name: P50/2; Komo-Entumeni
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R51 500 000

Project name: P50/2 Samani; Komo-Nkandla
Project description: Upgrade to black top surface
Project cost: R168 090 000

Roads of national importance

Project name: P496; John Ross Highway
Project description: Upgrade to Dual Carriage way
Project cost: R 877 000 000

Grand total
Project cost: R1 886 656 000

Through the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, our provincial government is making major investments into transport infrastructure in the province that will create a lasting legacy after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. These include:

* eThekwini Municipality - R102 Upgrading: This project comprises the upgrading of 16 kilometres of Main Road 2 to 4 lanes between Duffs Road to King Shaka International Airport/Dube Trade Port, and 3 kilometres of Main Road 94 to 6 lanes between Mount Edgecombe Interchange to the N2.

* uMgungundlovu Football Development Area: A road upgrade on P399 between Taylors Halt and Nxamalala will be key to the flow of traffic within the city and will be complemented by the Intermodal Public Transport Facilities which will make accessibility of public transport to various destinations easier.

* Ugu Football Development Area: An upgrade on P68 which links Umgodi to Lushaba via St Faiths and forms a transport corridor from High Flats to Port Shepstone, is currently under construction, and is expected to be completed before the 2010 kick-off.

* uThungulu Football Development Area: In this District Municipality, Richards Bay will be utilised as a base camp. Projects which are currently under construction include P496 (John Ross Highway) which forms part of the Empangeni and Richards Bay Transport Corridor.

* Amajuba football development area: The construction of P296 that links Buhle-Bomzinyathi to Osizweni and moves on the Dundee to Newcastle Transport Corridor will be completed before 2010.

The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department also offers various learning opportunities to students, especially in technical fields such as civil engineering. These programmes are designed to afford opportunities, as well as skills development, to people who were previously designated as disadvantaged – to gain support and be able to contribute positively towards the growth of the economy.

During the current financial year, the following bursaries have been offered:
* 16 BSC Civil Engineering
* 4 BSC Mechanical Engineering
* 137 National Diplomas in Civil Engineering
* 10 National Diplomas in Mechanical Engineering
* 8 National Diplomas in Transportation Management

Since 2004 the following programmes have been successfully implemented: Operation Kushunquthuli, Road Safety Education, Siyazenzela Waste Management Programme, Commuter Associations, the Transport Academy and the Road Monitoring Programme.

I am also, particularly, proud to announce that we will achieve our target of 40 000 Zibambele contractors by the end of 2009. The successes of these programmes are, indeed, a benchmark against which we can judge the progress we have made in the empowerment of our people.

Ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, I must say that the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has made significant progress since 2004. We can all look at these mighty bridges and roads, airports, railway lines and pedestrian facilities that are available today and applaud the men and women involved in these projects, under our hard-working MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Bheki Cele.

Allow me to extend my sincere appreciation for the time you took to attend this official opening of Main Road 568 today. It is my hope that the communities of this area will treasure these resources and guard them jealously.
But, together we can do more.

Masisukume Sakhe!

Thank you.

Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
26 March 2009