By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – In a bid to tackle poor rural infrastructure and ensure safer access across rivers and flood-prone areas, the government has launched a project to construct seventeen new bridges throughout QwaQwa.
The “Welisizwe Rural Bridges” project was officially launched on Tuesday, 1 July at Setsoto Primary School in Ward 10, Tseki. It will be implemented by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), working alongside 120 local workers drawn from various wards.
The project is part of a broader national plan to address infrastructure backlogs in underdeveloped communities.According to Maluti-a-Phofung municipality communications manager, Thabo Kessah, the SANDF will oversee and lead the construction process while local workers assist under their supervision. The workers were selected through a raffle system designed to ensure fairness and transparency.
Maluti-a-Phofung executive mayor Malekula Melato urged workers to approach the opportunity with discipline. “You must not be like other workers who are known for resting under trees and sleeping on the job,” she said.
“You got this opportunity through the raffle system, making things fair. You must be custodians of these bridges when they are complete and not let any community members destroy or vandalise them.”
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) handed to workers included helmets, safety boots, overalls, goggles, and raincoats.Captain Mashau of the SANDF, who will oversee the project, reminded workers of their responsibility and commitment.
“Today is the official launch and the executive mayor has handed you to me. We have divided you into different groups and all of you are going to receive PPE today. You are even getting raincoats to show that we will be working even when it rains. I believe we are going to work well together,” she said.
