Civil Engineering May 2021 | Vol 29 No 4

The N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) Project is strategically positioned on the N2 route to connect the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga. The 410 km route includes two mega bridges, the Mtentu Bridge and Msikaba Bridge. Seven additional new major river bridges and several new interchange bridges also form part of the project. The N2WCR Project is SANRAL’s flagship project in the Eastern Cape and has been endorsed by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission as a catalyst for economic development in the province. It is a major project for the Eastern Cape and forms part of government’s 18 Strategic Integrated Projects. According to Macozoma, the N2WCR will open a new trade corridor between Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape, as well as between South Africa and neigh- bouring countries such as Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho. “SANRAL is working hard to complete the N2 Wild Coast Road, which will in turn open one of the last economic corridors of our country and will create many new opportunities for economic growth in the post-Covid-19 period,” he said. SOCIO-ECONOMIC INJECTION The N2WCR Project represents a signifi- cant socio-economic injection for local communities and approximately R4 bil- lion will be spent on targeted enterprises during the construction period. According to SANRAL’s Regional Manager, Mbulelo Peterson, the road agency’s strategy and policies deliberately focus on the transformation of the construc- tion industry, particularly the impact of SANRAL’s procurement in terms of job creation and opportunities for SMMEs. “As we appoint contractors to execute projects on behalf of SANRAL, we support the construction industry because this industry is critically important, but we also want to maximise the participation of black contrac- tors, professionals, suppliers and designated groups in all our projects,” said Peterson. SANRAL has partnered with key stakeholders to assist black businesses to benefit from project participation and has signed memoranda of understanding with Bell, Barloworld and Wirtgen to ensure rapid transformation. “The N2 Wild Coast Road will not only bring with it thousands of new jobs and opportunities for the development of SMMEs, but will also make the movement of people and goods much easier, espe- cially through the Eastern Cape. That is why we have not given up on this project in spite of the difficulties over more than two decades and we will complete con- struction of the N2 Wild Coast Road over the next few years,” said Macozoma. Executive Mayor of O.R. Tambo District Municipality, Thokozile Sokhanyile, added, “SMMEs need to unite, as opposed to different business formations operating in the district, so that they have one voice when they engage with SANRAL and government generally. We need to have our own Economic Recovery Plan, as stated by President Ramaphosa, and work together as partners and find solutions for SMMEs in the region. SANRAL is here to assist us through infrastructure to support economic development.”  Transportat i on R4 billion for SMMEs on N2 Wild Coast Road Project The completion of the multi-billion-rand N2 Wild Coast Road Project will significantly contribute to economic growth along the coast of South Africa and into neighbouring countries, says Skhumbuzo Macozoma, CEO of SANRAL. Civil Engineering  May 2021 47