R237m for roads construction in QwaQwa

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – Community safety, roads, and transport MMC Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has revealed that R237 million will be injected in the construction of a 45.7 kilometre road network in Qwaqwa over a period of two and half years.

The projects which will start at the beginning of February is expected to generate 1020 jobs with 30 percent of local contractors benefitting R40 million.
Letsoha-Mathae said this while addressing a full packed Phuthaditjhaba multi-purpose hall on Wednesday January 31 2024.

“We have already appointed a contractor Ditlatse Trading and the project manager is one of our chief engineers Phomolo Makapa who is going to head the project under the leadership of chief director Ntate Andrew Moeti.

“We have already engaged with certified contractors to be sub-contracted under this big project. We had a meeting with them so they could ask questions and we are going to give them 30 percent of this project, meaning R40 million will be spent in Qwaqwa for this contract.”

She also disclosed that there will many job opportunities where other small companies even those that are not in construction can also benefit.

Sod turning from left Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, Map executive mayor Masetjhaba Lakaje-Mosia, community, roads, safety and transport MEC Maqueen Letsoha Mathae, agriculture and rural development MEC Teboho Mokoena.

“Do not underestimate yourself, you can also benefit. We need toilets and security companies to apply as well.”
She said to ensure that there is transparency and fairness, the department will deploy its team to lead a raffle where local community members will be employed from all wards where roads are being constructed.

“Women must be the majority, even at the sub-contractors we are going to prioritize women because men have always been at the forefront in such projects. We will also target youth and people living with disability; we are going to take 21 of them.”
She said not all the roads will be constructed but they have selected the most crucial where there was a public cry about the poor state of roads. This was done with the assistance of traditional leaders and District Development Model champion MEC Saki Mokoena.
Outlining roads to be constructed Letsoha -Mathae said:

“Setsing to Monontsha will employ 268 people; Meteleng to Makhalaneng there will be block paving and 112 people will be employed. Bolata shopping center to Elizabeth Ross hospital with 87 job opportunities. While Thiboloha to Maluti Bus services will employ 330 people. Riverside to Namahadi will have 118 and Mmakong requires people with higher skills therefore it will only need 20 people because it is just a portion. Then Lusaka to Qholaqhwe, where it is going to be another block paving with 83 people employed.”

She said number of people employed will vary due to the nature of construction and labour needed.