Residents and motorists in Bon Accord, in the north of Pretoria, have received some relief after the AfriForum Noord van die Berg (North of the Mountain) neighbourhood team joined National Asphalt, an asphalt supplier, to repair a road in the area.
The initiative saw the two organisations combine resources, with National Asphalt supplying the asphalt and equipment while AfriForum provided the manpower needed to carry out the work.
According to AfriForum Noord van die Berg’s Ruan Janse van Vuuren, the project also served as an opportunity to test the manufacturer’s asphalt product.
“National Asphalt provided the tar and equipment and we provided manpower,” said Janse van Vuuren.
The road repair forms part of ongoing efforts by community organisations and private companies to address deteriorating road infrastructure and improve conditions for motorists.
The use of the asphalt also places a focus on finding alternative approaches to road maintenance and construction.
Janse van Vuuren said that rather than relying solely on new materials, the asphalt can give existing road materials another use while contributing to maintenance efforts.
For the neighbourhood team, the project demonstrates what can be achieved when community organisations and businesses work together to address local infrastructure challenges.
Janse van Vuuren said the collaboration with National Asphalt allowed the team to make a tangible contribution to the Bon Accord community.
The partnership comes as road conditions remain an important concern for many communities, where potholes and damaged surfaces can affect motorists, increase vehicle maintenance costs and create safety risks.
While the project was focused on a specific road, the organisations’ co-operation highlights the potential for similar partnerships to contribute to local road maintenance.
The project also provided an opportunity to assess how the recycled asphalt performs in a practical road-repair environment.
Janse van Vuuren said that for residents and motorists using the repaired road, the immediate benefit is a better road surface, while the longer-term significance could lie in determining whether asphalt can be used more widely for similar maintenance projects.
The initiative demonstrates how private-sector resources and community participation can be brought together to tackle local infrastructure needs.
AfriForum Noord van die Berg thanked National Asphalt for its contribution and the opportunity to work together on the Bon Accord road repair project.
National Asphalt’s Onica Fourie said the company donated the asphalt to make a difference in the community without expecting anything in return.
She said the initiative was particularly important because the R101 from Wonderboom Airport has numerous potholes that need to be addressed.
Fourie added that the partnership provided an opportunity to contribute towards improving road conditions in the area.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel
