By Libuseng Nyaka
QWAQWA- The chief of Dinkweng in the eastern Free State Morena Sebidi Molefe says construction of the paved labour intensive road did not only provide jobs to the poor people but also enabled them to build their own houses.
“This road did not only provide jobs; I have sisters who have now built themselves houses with the money they have been saving from their wages at the construction of this road,” Molefe said as he went on to thank Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula who was in QwaQwa to officially open the road.
He also mentioned challenges that the local communities faced due to lack of roads that connect them to Thabo Bosiu.
“Our people have to pay double . They have to go via Setsing and get another taxi to reach to Thabo Bosiu just because the road was very bad and taxi operators were reluctant to come this side. We hope this road will bring change and business to this area.”
Molefe pleaded with the president of South Africa National Taxi Association SANTACO Phillip Taaibosch who has also attended the event, to avail taxis to his village.
Construction of the 27km road which cost R19 million commenced in 2018 November and is expected to be completed by February 2022; it created 136 jobs.
Speaking at launch, Mbalula said the construction of the road was designed to be labour-intensive in order to create more jobs while also delivering services to the people.
“When we talk of rural upgrading, job creation and labour-intensive, we mean what we are doing here through the ‘S’hampa Sonke’ initiative. Contrary to what detractors claim, we are not doing this just because it is election time. This road was not eve started during the election period. These people were not employed yesterday. It happened. This is a revolution. We are able to absorb many people through labour-intensive methods.”
He enthused that people who have been employed on the construction have also acquired skills.
“After this, they will get certificates and can be employed elsewhere and in no time we will no longer need engineers from the Philippines developing and imparting skills.”
At the same occasion, the Premier of the Free State Sefora Ntombela, expressed gratitude for the intervention of the national government and making sure that women also are employed in the construction.
“When you empower a woman, you empower a nation”
Ntombela was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sdumo Dlamini ,Social Dvelopment MEC Mamiki Qabathe in her capacity as acting MEC for Police and Roads, the executive mayor of Maluti-a Phofung and the principal chief of Bakoena Morena Moremoholo Mopeli.
Also in attendance was Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of National Council of Provinces (NCOP) from Qwaqwa Makosini Chabangu.
