Thumisang Pampoen (27, standing, with microphone), a small business owner, was keen to understand what opportunities would be available for youth-owned businesses and young people seeking employment.
Two new routine road maintenance contracts in the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) district of the Northern Cape will create opportunities for subcontracting and local labour over five years, the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) announced.
Sanral stated on 23 June that it is currently evaluating tenders received for these contracts and hopes to appoint contractors later this year. At a stakeholder engagement with small business owners in Mothibistad, Sanral project manager Rudi Joubert unpacked the opportunities for project participation, job creation, skills development, training, and enterprise development.
“The work will focus on maintenance of the N14 and will include grass cutting, removal of alien vegetation, cleaning of culverts, clearing litter at rest areas, and keeping the road reserve and fences clean.”
Maintenance will be done on an ongoing basis and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME’s) should prepare to make use of the subcontracting opportunities.
The first of the two projects runs between Olifantshoek and the North West border, and spans about 250 km.
The second project starts between Daniëlskuil and Kuruman, and extends past Hotazel, continuing to the Botswana border.
Joubert explained that both projects will solely focus on routine road maintenance, and that roads do not deteriorate over time.
“If there is a pothole, it will be fixed and if there are cracks, it will be sealed.”
In line with Sanral’s transformation agenda, the agency wants to see small contractors become big contractors.
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