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Date : 10/03/2006
Source: Ministry of Transport
Title: Radebe: Opening of Kwa-Qwasha Bridge and access Road P700 in Ulundi


Opening of Kwa-Qwasha Bridge and access Road P700 KwaZulu-Natal by Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe

Premier ? S'bu Ndebele
MEC - Bheki Cele
Head of Department - Dr KB Mbanjwa
Government officials
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to return to Ulundi, eight months after our previous visit. When we first came to Ulundi, work was quite advanced at the construction site of the bridge at Kwa-Qwasha and I reassured the community then that the government partnership approach across the spheres that we had adopted would deliver the much-needed river crossing infrastructure to bring relief to the people of the area.

We have just been to the now-complete Kwa-Qwasha river bridge to officially open it to the public. This project, thanks to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport (KZNDOT) and the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has not only delivered on the brief, but it has gone "an extra mile" by improving the access road on both sides of the bridge to enhance access to the bridge.

It has also enhanced connectivity of this road and crossing to the provincial road network system. We are also here today to officially open the completed phase one of the P700 road, which is a strategic road link for the province of KwaZulu-Natal. This road, when complete will provide the much needed road link between Ulundi and Empangeni/Richards Bay on the west side of the Hluhluwe/Mfolozi Park via Ntambanana. This project is part of the four cities initiative of the province that intends to link the cities of Ulundi, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg and Durban. This is a very important and necessary initiative indeed, which will ensure that development and economic activities are distributed equitably across the provincial landscape.

The construction of the Kwa-Qwasha Bridge across the White Umfolozi River brings long-awaited relief for both the Qwasha and Mpungamhlophe communities. It specifically addresses a long standing challenge of the scholars of the Nomzimane High School, who for years have had to cross this dangerous river to get to school. As you know, many accidents have occurred during the navigation of this river for a long time now, and they have led to the unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives of people in this area.

I am pleased today to announce that the reported 60 pupils (who constitute 24% of the total enrolment) that had to brave crossing the White Mfolozi River daily do not have to do this anymore. I'm pleased to announce that today government is saying that your lives are valuable to us and the future of your area depends on you. Government is committed to ensuring your safety and right to life through the provision of facilities such as the Kwa-Qwasha Bridge to ensure that the community is able to go on with "the business of the day", without risking their lives.

In addition, with this project government has now eliminated the dilemma that has always confronted the community of the Qwasha area, i.e. making a choice between travelling 45 kilometres to Ulundi using the currently irregular public transport service or walking approximately five kilometres to the Qwasha permanent clinic by crossing the dangerous river. The new bridge and accesses now allow the safe passage of both pedestrians and vehicles simultaneously across the river. The crossing also brings communities on both sides of the river together like never before (i.e. the AmaNtombela community of Qwasha and the AmaShandu community of Mpungamhlophe). The bridge and accesses provide a direct connection to road D1728, which will result in a 50% reduction in travel distance (i.e. 23 kilometres shorter) to Ulundi, as well as ensure connectivity with the provincial road network system.

The project has invested R6 million, which will remain as an economic benefit for the local community. This is because the terms of the project ensured that the selected project contractor sourced all materials from the Ulundi area and employed all artisans and labour from adjacent communities. In addition, job creation was maximised through the application of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) principles of labour intensive construction in the construction of the bridge and accesses.

In addition, the contract also demanded that an established construction company forms a joint venture with Stage 4 Vukuzakhe contractors registered on KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport's register of emerging contractors. This arrangement facilitated the provision of mentorship and administration support to the emerging contractors, while guaranteeing resource supply, a performance guarantee and insurance for the project.

With reference to Main Road P700, the main intervention was to surface the hitherto gravel road from Ulundi to Empangeni/Richards Bay thus improving mobility on this important route, while also providing better access from Ulundi to Empangeni/Richards Bay via Ntambanana. This road also opens up a major development corridor in a large rural area to the west of the Hluhluwe/Mfolozi Park covering the Ximba, Mpungose, Somopo and Obuka communities. The development of this road will support local economic development in these areas and contribute to poverty alleviation. This will be achieved primarily through the facilitation of eco-tourism, agricultural activities and business opportunities as a direct result of good road infrastructure provision.

The project has been broken into two phases, namely the 35 kilometres section from Ulundi to Cengeni Gate and the 58 kilometres second section from Lulwane to Empangeni. This event thus signals the completion and opening of phase one, as well as the initiation of phase two. R142,5 million has been spent on phase one, leaving a significant percentage of this investment within the affected areas.

Government today commits to completion of the second phase and my provincial counterparts inform me that work has already commenced in this regard with the construction of a major bridge over the White Mfolozi River. Government will continue to use these projects as tools for transformation and tools for the entrenchment of our democracy.

In this regard the EPWP, Construction Charter, and Local Economic Development, among other government programmes will continue to feature prominently in phase two, as well as in the other legs of the four cities initiative of the province. In conclusion, I would like to remind you of a statement that was made by your Premier and fellow comrade S'bu Ndebele during his tenure as MEC for Transport in KwaZulu-Natal, which remains relevant even now, and I quote, "if our budgets are not reaching grassroots communities and making a tangible difference in the lives of poor people who are our majority citizens and our majority voters - then we, as government, will have failed in the mandate we have been given by the people of South Africa."

Asiqhubeni ngokubambisana nokusebenza kanzima, siqinisekise ukuthi inkululeko nentuthuko zifinyelela kubo bonke abantu bakithi. Nginifisela usuku olumnandi kanye nokuphepha uma senibhekise amabombo emakhaya.

Ngiyabonga.

Issued by: Ministry of Transport
3 October 2006

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