The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has paved the path to progress for women contractors in Limpopo with the upgrading of the narrow R37 road between Burgersfort and Polokwane.
Local SMME Tinyosi Investment was facing closure when owner Mmamorena Tlakale secured a subcontracting opportunity with the roads agency.
Registered in 2020, the Mashifane Park, Burgersfort, business struggled to take off and desperately needed a contract to stay open.
Said Tlakale: “The business was on the verge of collapse. Through this project, I have gained knowledge in the construction industry and skills in cement work. “SANRAL also taught me the proper way of bidding, professionalism, and quality control. Thanks to all this, I’m gaining ground in the construction industry.”
Tlakale said the R37 upgrade was her first project and Tinyosi Investment is tasked with cement work on site. “I would not be where I am today if it was not for SANRAL’s assistance and the training opportunities available to women contractors. I would like to see more women in construction. The support we get from men in the industry is fantastic. The perception that this is a man’s job is changing.
“During my younger years I helped mix the cement to build my family house not knowing I would end up in the construction industry. I love being outdoors and encourage women to pursue construction as a career,” said Tlakele.
An integral part of SANRAL’s Transformation Policy is the opening of doors for stakeholders, local small businesses, communities and business forums on all its national road projects.
Priority is given to black-owned SMMEs that have not done business with SANRAL in the past, with added focus on the empowerment of women, youth and people with disabilities.
The agency allocates 30% of every contract to local SMMEs to empower and grow small businesses in the region of any said project. In addition, SMMEs that work with SANRAL are also afforded various skills development and training benefits for the duration of their sub-contract.
Bogaleng Thsehla, of BMT Royal Kid Laundry and Projects (Pty) LTD, created jobs for 27 people with her first-time sub-contract with SANRAL.
The River-cross mother-of-two started on the R37 project in 2022 on a CIDB Level 1 rating but very soon achieved Level 3. She was very vocal about the benefits of SANRAL’s SMME training and development programme.
“When the contract comes to an end I will leave with skills in Occupational Health and Safety, backfilling and demolition, installation of mesh wire, soft board concrete work and flagging. I have also learnt how to produce a daily foreman’s report.
“I can bid for other tenders without fear because SANRAL taught me many things. It has changed the lives of local contractors,” said Thsehla.
Single mother-of-two Cylia Makhubedu Moeti, 30, from the dusty village of Mareseleng said securing a job on the R37 project took her from “beggar” to someone who can now afford to fill up her grocery trolley.
“Since I received flagger training in February my life has changed for the better. I’m no longer dependent on the government child support grant. My children have proper school uniforms and I can support my family.
“I can afford to buy groceries and even fill up the trolley. Poverty is gone; I’m no longer a beggar.” Moeti said the training she received would also put her in good stead to apply for jobs on other construction projects.
SANRAL Northern Region project manager Lethu Dlanjwa said construction projects such as the R37 upgrade contribute to the economic upliftment of local communities by empowering and creating opportunities for SMMEs.
Maria Jane Maroga, 52, from Maroga village, said the salary she earns as a flagger on the project makes her “smile in front of the ATM”. Unemployed until she secured the job with SANRAL, the single mom-of-three has been saving to enable her son to further his education after high school.
“I have people who depend on me. I enjoy my job and I can provide for my three children. One is still doing Grade 10 at Maputle Secondary and I’m saving money so that he doesn’t get stuck when going to tertiary level.”
Maroga said she was grateful for the empowerment opportunities afforded by SANRAL. “I have the energy to stand all day long to ensure that traffic keeps flowing. Although motorists get upset with us sometimes, we are there to ensure they are safe. Thank you SANRAL for empowering us women,” said Maroga.
Ernard Viljoen, manager of the R37 project, said work was now 65% complete. “We started the earthwork in June 2021 and have continued at a fast pace. The road is just 25.87km long but is the life blood of the Burgersfort Platinum Mine.”
Scope of the work includes the dualling and improvement of the R37, notorious for accidents, from a single carriageway into four lanes.
“The project’s scope also includes building sidewalks from intersections to bus bays, the construction of two new bridges and the widening of one other bridge,” said Viljoen.
“The existing single-carriageway road will be improved and new intersections will be established by building six roundabouts at the major intersections. This project aims to improve the safety of pedestrians. The final road section will have four lanes, surfaced shoulders and a painted island.”
The tender value for the R37 upgrade is about R600 million and work is expected to be completed by November.
