Roads agency targets women

With road infrastructure projects worth billions of rands in the pipeline, the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) recently encouraged womenowned businesses in King Cetshwayo District to seize the opportunities.

The road agency engaged around 120 women at a meeting held in eSikhaleni last week, on the various business opportunities offered by Sanral.

“Our main objective here is to tell you about the opportunities we have at Sanral,” said Sanral communications officer Nomcebo Cebekhulu.

“We want you as women to take part in those opportunities. It is in our policy that each and every project reserves 30% of the work for targeted groups like women, youth, and military veterans.

“It is part of our mandate to coach construction business people in our pre-tender training sessions so they are the first to get the opportunities.

“We want women in construction to depend on themselves, using the knowledge we give them, to know what is coming and how you can position yourself,” said Cebekhulu.

Sanral project manager in the eastern region, Trevor Zumani said there is a number of projects planned for the N2, with some still in the design stage while others have already been advertised. These range from the rehabilitation of parts of the N2, to erecting fencing to prevent livestock from causing accidents.

Among those businesses that have benefitted from Sanral projects is Daleka Construction, a women-owned business that won a Sanral tender to build a bridge in eNseleni.

“We went through Sanral training, we listened to all their instructions and here we are. I advise other women to follow all Sanral instructions without asking questions.

“Just do it and you will win.  We were able to overcome all challenges because there was knowledge,” said Daleka Construction spokeswoman Sanelisiwe Mvelase.

HAVE YOUR SAY