Civil Engineering September 2022 | Vol 30 No 8

potential impact and economic benefit that NMT can provide for society and the economy. The district has the economic po- tential to create jobs and reduce poverty and inequalities that are hindering the district’s growth (IDP, 2021). Transport accounts for R4.2 billion of the total gross value added (GVA) in the district municipality’s economy, which is above what other key economic indicators are contributing, namely agriculture (R2.4 billion) and mining (R3.3 billion) which largely depend on the coordination of transport networks (Cogta, 2020). Improved rural transportation and social inclusion within the district is therefore a necessity considering the key economic drivers within the district which are actively productive. Improved transport enhances access, which brings people closer to opportunities (learning and working) and facilities (health, education and industry). The improved coordination of transport also has the potential to lower transport costs due to the shorter distance travel effect, with effective modal integration and market competitiveness. Table 4 provides a progressive indica- tion of the surface road network being extended within the district, using data sourced from the Department of Public Works and Roads. Only projects with a monetary value under total expenditure to date from previous years and with an indication of several kilometers were extracted, as they indicate the completion and/or work-in-progress in monetary value. Table 4 indicates the additional sur- facing of roads in the existing NMMDM road network, but does not represent the possible lack of assessment of the trans- port infrastructure needs of the users. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Concluding remarks This paper aimed to respond to the three fundamental research objectives of the study, measuring the rural road infra- structure transport within the district in terms of access and social inclusion. The study reflected on the current infrastruc- ture of the district and the mode that the current infrastructure dominantly caters to, which is mainly minibus taxis and subsidy buses. The study found that, firstly, the road infrastructure facilities (such as Table 4 Roads being upgraded from gravel to surface standard in NMMDM (Source: IDP, 2021) Project or programme name Number of kilometres Upgrading from gravel to surface standard of road D479 from Khunotsoana village to T-junction of N4 and Tweefontein Phase 2. 27 km Upgrading from gravel to surface standard of road D419 from Shupingstad through villages of Kwa-ntsweng, Lekgopung to P48/1(Swartkopfontein Gate border post. 31 km Upgrading from gravel to surface standard of road D433 from N18 to Madiba A GA Kubu, through Tsunyane to Manja to Makouspan. 16 km 11 km 7.5 km Approximate total kilometres >93 km 38 September 2022 Civil Engineering Figure 6 Disaneng internal road (Source: Boipelo Mere)