Road D59, Richmond: As part of Transport Month, we have officially opened the Mkhobeni River Bridge under Richmond Local Municipality.
The isolation of communities from Phatheni and Ngqokweni during the rainy summer season will now be a thing of the past.
In the past local residents were swept away and died tying to cross the river.
The bridge provides a crucial link between Ixopo Town and Richmond Town and further to Pietermaritzburg, the capital city of KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Critically, we are determined to lift millions of rural-based communities out of abject poverty by creating jobs using the construction of bridges and roads as a tool.
We responded decisively to the data that indicated that approximately 19% of members of the local community live below the poverty line and 37% of children under 18 live in poverty.
Locally based emerging companies shared R7.2 million during the construction. Apart from being paid for doing work, we deliberately ensured these emerging constructors received on-site training and mentorship.
Broadly speaking, our main goal is to ensure that we drive both entrepreneurship revolution and infrastructure revolution.
We are supporting our entrepreneurs as they make an honest living through hard-work and dedication.
Undoubtedly, with the experience acquired, these contractors will be better prepared to handle more complex work in the future.
Importantly, we have integrated them into the entire value chain of service delivery of much-needed road infrastructure.
This infrastructure will not only improve the quality of life but will drastically alter socio-economic conditions for local communities.
Finally, we thank Inkosi Dlamini, his council, local councillors, and the community at large for safeguarding this project and ensuring its successful construction and completion.
We are encouraging communities to hold hands and prevent those who are disrupting construction projects and those who are demanding 30% without working.
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