Small businesses benefit from N2 Wild Coast toll road project

Local small businesses from the Mzamba area were recently awarded certificates for their role in constructing a 4.5km community access route.

The project, which started in June 2016, is said to have benefited more 120 people in the Mbizana Local Municipality by providing job opportunities as part of Sanral’s (South African National Road Agency Limited) community development programme through the N2 Wild Coast toll road.

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According to Sanral’s stakeholder relations coordinator, Welekazi Ndika, equipping the small businesses with knowledge was part of aiding the municipality in its quest to realise rural local economic development.

A local community hall in the area was also refurbished.

Local chief, Lunga Baleni, said he had been thrilled with the project.

“I hope this relationship with Sanral will continue, and I would like to encourage it to continue with its community development programmes in our area.”

Mbizana Local Municipality mayor, Daniswa Mafumbatha, said they were happy to see the “great work” that was done by the small businesses.

“Our small businesses have done an outstanding job. We also thank Sanral for the job opportunities created through the construction of this road.”

Dr Mongezi Noah, Sanral’s southern region community development specialist, issued assurances that more projects were in the pipeline and that the completion of the community access roads was just the beginning.

Ward 24 councillor, Ntlahla Hlebo, said the community was “very happy” about the completion of the road and about the hall being refurbished.

“Before this, we had a gravel road. In the past during floods there would be big potholes and it was quite difficult for ambulances and cars to drive in. People had to be carried in wheelbarrows to the R61 main road,” he said. 

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