Mmileng 2nd Quarter edition 2017 FINAL

SECOND QUARTER MMILENG
EDITION 2017
WELCOME TO OUR ROAD NETWORK

RAL AND PERSONALITIES
NORTHAM
PLATINUM Muvhango’s Vhafuwi lauds RAL’s
intensive road infrastructure rollout
sign multimillion rand
partnership deal to RAL
build roads AT WORK

RAL BUILD NEW ROADS
IN MOPANI AND
GREATER LETABA

SMMEs

EMPOWERMENT

RAL CEO MATJI SAYS EMPOWERING SMALL
BUSINESSES AND DEVELOPING VILLAGE
ECONOMY RAL’S PRIORITY

BIG INTERVI EW Board Member Kekana upbeat about

success of RAL’s turnaround strategy

Contributing to socio
economic development

by connecting the people
of Limpopo Province.
Providing quality and sustainable
provincial road infrastructure
network for the economic development
of Limpopo Province.

Contents 2ndQuarter Edition 2017

From the Editor LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS BIG INTERVIEW

Maropeng Manyathela, 2 Message from the Premier 14 The road ahead is long but
RAL Head of Communications 2 Note from the MEC
3 The Board’s View encouraging progress made
This Mmileng edition is packed with 3 From the CEO’s Desk
insightful news on the Roads Agency ENGINEERING
Limpopo’s exciting new projects, PA R T N E R S H I P S
new partnerships and strategic 18 Meet members of RAL’s
interventions. At the heart of RAL’s 4 RAL successfully concludes yet
statutory function is the delivery of engineering team
quality road infrastructure to create another strategic agreement
jobs, business opportunities and PERSONALITIES
develop the village economy.
RISK MANAGEMENT 21 Celebrated Muvhango actor
In this edition, the Board’s contracts
and planning committee chairperson, 6 Risk management to help an lauds RAL’s road infrastructure
Hellen Kekana, share successes of delivery
the Agency’s strategic interventions to organisation achieve goals and
achieve RAL’s mandate. objectives INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

We bring you news on the road PLANNING AND DESIGN 2 4 RAL gives young graduates
construction projects in both Greater
Letaba and Mopani and their impact 8 We are transforming villages on-the-job training
on the lives of villagers, their direct
beneficiaries. Because small businesses into smart villages RAL AT WORK
are key job creation drivers, we also
bring you a special focus on the SMMEs EMPOWERMENT 2 7 Four villages in the Greater
empowerment of Small, Medium and
Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). RAL 10 RAL’s R164 million empowerment Letaba Municipality get
CEO Maselaganye Matji unpacks new road
great progress made on SMMEs initiative leads the way
empower-ment and job creation. 2 9 Nine villages get economic
12 Boosting village economy is
RAL continues to form strategic boost through new road
partnerships with the private sector RAL’s priority construction
to build new and economically
viable roads in Limpopo. In this 31 Upgrading projects
edition you will read of new 3 6 Maintenance projects
multimillion rand deal the Agency
has recently entered into with the
mining company, Northam Platinum.

Our personality this quarter is
none other than Muvhango’s lead
actor Gabriel Temudzani, who shares
his feelings about RAL’s road
construction work and road safety.

Lastly, because RAL cares about
job creation, we bring you news on
the Agency’s efforts to train and
prepare new graduates for the new
job market through its annual
internship program.

Happy reading!

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 1

Leadership Insights

Message from the Premier Note from the MEC

We are realistic about our Road infrastructure
challenges, confident about enable economic
the future development

Hon Stanley Chupu Mathabatha, Hon Jerry Ndou, MEC for
Premier of Limpopo Public Works, Roads &
Infrastructure
In my address to the State of the Province Address (Sopa) at the beginning of
this financial year, I emphasised that our province in particular and South South Africa’s economy is still in the doldrums even
Africa in general had inherited many social and economic problems, which though it is now officially out of the technical recession.
are direct result of apartheid’s socio-economic design. While we are under no The latest gross domestic product figures released by
illusion that the damage cause of over 350 years of apartheid and colonialism Statistics South Africa show that the economy grew by
would not be undone in few years, the program of pushing back the frontiers 2.5% in the last three months ended in June.
of poverty, inequality, unemployment and underdevelopment is in gear.
While the latest economic data is encouraging, South
Notwithstanding challenges, our democratic government has over Africans must continue to work hard in order to grow the
the last 23 years done much to ensure socio-economic transformation economy. An economy in the clutches of a recession
and improve the material conditions of our people. However, much work cannot create enough jobs. On the contrary, it shed
still lies ahead of us. jobs at a time when we needed to create more
employment and grow the tax base. It also means
Through the National Development Plan (NDP), the blueprint for socio- government has to borrow more to supplement its
economic transformation of South Africa, we envisage to eliminate poverty revenue and scale down on expenditure in a bid to
and reduce inequality through a sustainable and inclusive growth path minimise borrowing costs.
that must, amongst others, create 11 million jobs by 2030. The NDP’s
vision is unequivocal that by 2030 our country’s rural communities must That is why it is important that all our hands are on
have better opportunities to participate fully in the economic, social and deck as we sail through these stormy economic seas.
political life of the country. The vision includes better integration of the Roads Agency Limpopo is doing its bit to ensure that our
country’s rural areas, which must be achieved through interventions such road infrastructure expenditure empowers communities
as infrastructure development, job creation and poverty alleviation. and goes a long way towards supporting our vision of
“smart village economies”. More than R164 millions of
The Limpopo Development Plan (LDP), which draws inspiration from our capital expenditure went to small and medium
the NDP, commits the provincial government to grow sustainable rural enterprises in the last financial year. This has translated
enterprises and industries. Such growth must be characterised by into more than 1500 jobs.
interventions such as strong rural urban linkages, trade development
and access to markets and financial services – the end result of which Such targeted interventions have the effect of
must be rural job creation. broadening empowerment and bringing economic
opportunities to people who might otherwise not have
Consistent with government’s National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) of 2012, had them. We can only hope that these small businesses
as supported by the Provincial Infrastructure Hub of 2016, the Roads Agency grow from strength to strength and contribute to growing
Limpopo (RAL) is on course to develop rural economies, create job our province’s economy.
opportunities, and support small rural business through its ambitious road
infrastructure rollout. As a critical catalyst for job creation, Small, Medium It should also be borne in mind that roads enable
and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are at the heart of our interventions to grow economic development. We are cognisant of the fact that
the economy. By dedicating 30% of its road infrastructure procurement communities want more quality roads in all the five
towards small business, RAL is playing a key role as part of government’s districts. It will cost more than R3 billion to address the
multi-pronged interventions for fundamental socio-economic transformation. 14 286-kilometre backlog on provincial road network. The
R310 million we have raised through partnerships with
The strategic partnerships, which RAL continues to form to co-fund the private sector is helping to ease the pressure on the
construction of our province’s economically sustainable road provincial fiscus.
infrastructure, is crucial to the advancement of rural enterprises, bridging
of rural and urban areas, and opening doors to rural communities to We are not resting on our laurels. More initiatives are
make a meaningful contribution to the economy. The partnerships, underway. RAL recently signed a R60 million strategic
which have thus far injected R333 million into road infrastructure rollout, partnership with Northam Platinum to upgrade the P20
are in line with the LDP’s commitment to, amongst others, work in road in the Waterberg District. The upgrade will be a
partnership with the private sector to create conditions for the benefit to local communities both in terms of infrastructure
acceleration of economic growth and stimulation of job creation. and economic opportunities.

State-owned entities such as RAL play an important role as key drivers In conclusion, RAL will continue to focus on its
of economic and societal development, and we will continue to support mandate of upgrading and rehabilitating the provincial
them in their fulfilment of their statutory mandate. roads infrastructure. Let us continue to work together in
changing the lives of our people.
2 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

Leadership Insights

The Board’s view From the CEO’s desk

RAL’s turnaround RAL doing more with
plan is still limited financial resources
on track
Mr Maselaganye Matji, RAL Chief
Mr Matome Ralebipi, Executive Officer
RAL Board Chairman
Turning around any organisation requires an unf lagging resilience,
We are continuing the line of march given to the Roads commitment, focus and patience. Implementing strategies to
Agency Limpopo by the Honourable Premier of Limpopo, turnaround Roads Agency Limpopo from an Adverse Audit Opinion
Chupu Mathabatha. (2014/15 financial year) to an Unqualified Audit Opinion (2016/17) in
a period of two years, has been a rewarding, yet very challenging
Both the Premier and the Honourable MEC for Public task. This achievement was catalysed by an unwavering oversight
Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Jerry Ndou, made it function on the part of the Board of Directors and its sub-committees,
clear in their budget pronouncements that the building of stable leadership at both management and Board levels, and precise
roads is part of the government’s apex priority to grow the workmanship in executing the adopted turnaround strategy.
economy and create jobs.
The significant improvement in the Audit Opinion, as confirmed
We are forging ahead in this regard as RAL. Such a by the Auditor-General of South Africa, is a clear indication that
mammoth responsibility has a bearing on how the internal controls put in place are effective. Governance structures
organisation is constituted and run. It is for this reason have been playing their roles in ensuring that RAL is a responsible
that we have continued to recruit and retain some of the corporate citizen.
best professionals the industry has to offer. Elsewhere in
this edition of Mmileng, we profile some of them and Utilization of road infrastructure delivery is at the heart of RAL
highlight some of the milestones they have achieved. strategy. This is achieved by ensuring that 30% of the construction
cost is ring fenced for SMMEs in the affected villages. The strategic
We are continuing with our strategic partnerships with objective is to grow village economies. In 2016 financial year a total
the private sector to construct and upgrade roads. of R164 million was spent on local SMMEs in the project areas
Government job creation initiatives in sectors such as within the Limpopo Province. In addition to this about 1747 full time
agriculture, mining and tourism hinges on the delivery of equivalent jobs have been created and about R60.937 million was
this critical infrastructure. spent on local labour.

Our strategic partnerships with the private sector are Investment in our people both within and outside RAL is our
continuing to bear fruit and pay economic dividends in priority. In view of this, about 348 local people were provided with
a variety of ways. Our joint project with Exxaro in Liphalale accredited training.
was short listed for this year’s CESA Aon Engineering
Excellence Awards, which were held in Midrand in RAL was able to do more with limited financial resources. A total
August. We see the nomination as the industry’s vindication of 46.9km of the road network was upgraded from gravel to tar at a
of our innovative approach to service delivery. cost of R541.177 million. Approximately 122.51 lane kilometres of
surfaced road network was rehabilitated. In addition to this 254 971
Recently, RAL entered into a R60 million strategic square meters of the road network was resealed.
partnership to upgrade the P20 road. This deal, like
others, will see the two entities co-funding the Strategic partnerships with private sector partners within the
economically viable road to bring about the much Limpopo Province is one of the pillars of RAL strategy. As at 31
needed economic benefits in the area. This includes August 2017, a total of R333 million contributions were secured from
creating jobs, empowering particularly small businesses private sector partners.
and improving the quality of life amongst the benef iting
communities. Through such strategic partnership, RAL In addition to private sector partners, RAL has also targeted
has thus far managed to raise R333 million. partners in the Agricultural and Public sectors. An agreement was
signed with seven group of farmers, led by Bridelia Group in the
RAL’s turnaround plan is still on track. We have Levubu area. The objective was for farmers to contribute towards the
registered significant milestone over the past few months. clearing of the road reserve at their cost. This is meant to enhance
Perhaps what is worth singling out is the continued safety for the road users. Another agreement was signed with
improvement in our audit outcomes. The era when the ESKOM Medupi Power station to install traffic calming and other
Auditor-General put a disclaimer or expressed an adverse road safety measures. Typical examples are road markings,
opinion about the state of our financial books is gone. installation of cat eyes, and awareness to improve safety on the road
Both the Board and the Executive Management have from Lephalale to Medupi Power Station.
worked relentlessly to address the areas of concern, and
the improvements are there for all to see. We encourage more strategic partners in the province and outside
of Limpopo to join our course of contributing towards the economy
It is my hope that RAL will get clean audits in the coming of our beautiful Province.
years, and will sustain those gains going into the future.

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 3

Partnerships

RAL Chief Executive Officer Maselaganye Matji
and his Northam Platinum counterpart, Paul Dunne,
after signing a R60m partnership deal

strategicRAL successfully concludes yet another
agreement

T he Roads Agency Limpopo and Northam Platinum Mr Matji hailed the agreement as a sign of confidence in the
Limited have entered into a R60 million strategic work the agency is doing to bring about development by
partnership to upgrade the P20 road that links connecting communities to economic opportunities through the
Sataria to Koedoeskop in the Waterberg District. development of roads.
In terms of the agreement, RAL will contribute R37,5 million
to the project and Northam Platinum will cover the difference. “This is one of a number of partnerships that we have signed
RAL CEO Maselaganye Matji and his Northam counterpart Paul to date. The processes of appointing contractors will follow this
Dunne signed the agreement at the platinum mining company’s agreement. The first stage is to enter into this agreement and
headquarters recently. after that you start with implementation.”

4 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 Mr Matji said he viewed the partnership as a victory for what

Partnerships

he calls “the village economy” as all the contracts have RAL and Northam Platinum CEOs Maselaganye Matji
set-aside of 30% for the empowerment of local labourers and and Paul Dunne sign a multimillion rand deal
SMMEs. In other words, 30% of the value of that contract
must go to sub-contractors and labourers from the communities and they are generally big projects. This a great opportunity to
where the development of the road infrastructure is taking leverage some goodwill and provide a real impact economically
place. to communities.

“If the road is passing through 10 villages, businesses or “Above all, roads are important to us. We are looking forward
businesses-to-be from those villages must benefit, including to a successful project. If we do well, then we can work together
labourers. In the past financial year, we spent about R164 again,” concluded the CEO of the JSE-listed, broad-based black
million in all our projects on SMMEs in our project areas. We empowerment company.
take the empowerment of our people very serious.
The upgrading of the gravel road will also be a benefit to
“Now that we are producing millionaires in villages, we must communities as there are two schools along that road and
train them about business. It doesn’t help giving them that if children commute by bus.
they can’t move forward. So the same will apply to this project.
We will make sure that the people from those areas where you Northam’s Head of Sustainability Dali Duma said over and
do business become part of it. That’s what I call co-existence,” above the initiative to fix the road, Northam is involved in
concluded Mr Matji. educational and health projects that help to uplift the
communities in which the mining firm is doing business. The
Mr Dunne said while mining firms sometimes get “the bad company has built facilities such as schools and clinics where
rap” for the work they do, the upside is that they bring jobs, they did not exist before.
roads and houses to communities.
“The road is critical for ensuring sustainability. The economy
“We do have an impact on communities. But, at the end of grows better when you have reliable roads and our employees
the day, the need is great. In some of our mining areas there is will benefit alot from this initiative, ” he said. m
a high level of unemployment. There is a high level of poverty
and there’s a lack of economic opportunities.

“So where we can leverage from each other to change that
to some extent, it is a very powerful thing. Roads are not cheap

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 5

Risk Management

Risk management
helps an organisation achieve
goals and objectives

R oads Agency Limpopo’s Senior Manager: Risk been up and running for the past six month.
Management Komane Vincent Maphutha is a man The job of the 30-odd-year old Senior Manager, who has
with a mission.
Maphutha, who is affectionately known as Thato been in this position for the past six months, is to ensure that
in his home village of Ga-Masemola, is pioneering RAL’s risk the agency achieves its objectives in a risk-free way.
management unit. He effectively set it up from scratch, and it’s Maphutha and his team of professionals have to ensure that
nothing is left to chance in the implementation of the multimillion
6 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

Risk Management

Komane Maphuta, RAL’s Senior Manager:
Risk Management

rand projects RAL undertakes. mark. They call me ‘Mr Risk’,” says Mr Maphutha, who is

“Risk management is there to help an organisation achieve currently completing his Master in Business Administration at

its set goals and objectives. It’s part of the process and culture the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).

of the organisation. If you are going to build a road from After three years, he moved to what is now known as the

Polokwane to Lebowakgomo, risks management asks, ‘What are Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,

your objectives? And what is it that you want to achieve?’ where he focused on enterprise risk management, fraud and

“Risk is not always about the negatives. It is also about the corruption. He then moved to TUT, where he was employed as

positives. If you build a road to Lebowakgomo, what opportunities their National Risk Coordinator.

is it going to create? Is it going to improve the living conditions While working for Transnet Engineering as the Corporate

of the community?. It is going to increase business viability and Risk Manager, Mr Maphutha was chosen as a runner-up for the

enhance RAL’s brand reputation in the community,” he explains. Risk Specialist of the Year Award for 2016 by the Institute of Risk

Mr Maphutha adds that the unit then has to mitigate against Management South Africa.

negative factors—like inadequate project funding and lack of “This was the highlight of my career in so far as enterprise

buy-in from stakeholders, in particular communities —when it risk management is concerned. I am passionate about this. It’s

assesses a project’s risk profile. Using this tool to reduce risks, in my blood and veins; I eat, drink and breathe risk management.

he says, helps ensure that the projects are delivered within the It’s at the core of my identity,” he says.

allocated budget and timeously.

“We are the heartbeat and lifeblood

of the organisation. We are the centre of

attraction in so far as delivering the set

objectives is concerned,” he says. “I was attracted by RAL’s vision. The good
The certif ied risk manager, who reception at the interview made me to come

entered the field of risk management

by accident, has an outstanding track over and challenge myself. It was not an easy
record in the field. He initially wanted decision to leave Transnet. I was doing
to study economics, but ended up

enrolling for his National Diploma and good work,” he recalls.
a Bachelor of Technology in local

government f inance between 2001 and

2005 at the then Pretoria Technikon.

Because the economic analysis class

was full, he initially planned to do

local government finance for year as it was only available Mr Maphutha says joining RAL has been an adventure,

course in the Accountancy Department. But destiny had other saying it was not an easy decision to leave his wife in Gauteng

plans for him. for the new challenge in Polokwane.

“The first three months were really difficult. Afterwards, I “I was attracted by RAL’s vision. The good reception at the

approached a member of the Tshwane Mayoral Committee by interview made me to come over and challenge myself. It was

the name of Kiba Kekana. He told me the course has a future not an easy decision to leave Transnet. I was doing good work,”

and from there my attitude towards local government changed,” he recalls.

reminisces Mr Maphutha. He currently maintains two homes in Polokwane and Pretoria

After completing his studies, he worked for the City of as his wife is still in Gauteng. He says he’ll decide whether to

Tshwane in 2004 as a National Treasury local government relocate to Polokwane permanently at some point.

financial management reforms intern—a programme meant to He hopes to grow his small team as he sees the lack of

up skill municipal f inancial management. As fate had it, the adequate warm bodies as the main challenge facing the unit,

municipality advertised the position of a risk accountant while and believes getting at least five more people will help ease the

he was learning his ropes in the Risk and Insurance Division of burden on the team shoulders.

the municipality. He got the job seven months into his internship. “Because of this, I don’t think we do adequate monitoring.

“I applied and from there I never looked back. I developed We try and work overtime and work as efficiently as possible,”
passion for it over the years. Where I have worked I leave a he says. m

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 7

Planning and Design

Kishan Tulsi, RAL’s General
Manager: Planning and Design

We are transforming

smartvillages into
villages

8 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

Planning and design

R oads Agency Limpopo’s General Manager for worked in international projects as far as the United Arab
Planning and Design, Kishan Tulsi, wants to put Emirates and Australia. As a civil engineer specialising in asset
South Africa on the world trade map. management and hydraulic structures, he was part of the team

Mr Tulsi, a senior civil engineer who joined that designed both Abhu Dhabi’s Khalifa harbour and Port

RAL in June, represented South Africa’s young professionals at Elizabeth’s Coega port. His work at RAL involves asset

the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure management—which means he is responsible for the upkeep

(PIANC) last year in Australia. There he spoke about the work of the province’s 20 260km road network.

they have been doing to educate citizens and young professionals “A road has a certain monetary value and a certain life span.

about civil and coastal engineering in a bid to encourage them As you drive over the road, it then deteriorates. It’s meant to last

to enter the field. a certain period of time. Based on my knowledge of other

At that Indaba he also invited PIANC, of which he is the coastal infrastructure, I’m using that knowledge to apply it to the

chairperson of young professionals on behalf of government, to asset management of the road network and determine which

come to SA in October next year on a two-day technical visit to roads need to be repaired immediately, which ones can be

see our infrastructure development. The experts who will visit repaired next year and the following year. That’s all part of my

our shores are responsible title in planning,” he explains.

for drafting the international His engineering unit is in charge

guidelines on the planning, design, of deciding which roads need to be

construction and maintenance of upgraded from gravel to tar, the

infrastructure. “The highlight is delivering implementation of road signs and
“They present their information to the people’s requests. markings, and ensuring road plans
are in place. The planning and
to other government organisations

internationally,” he explains. “And We study civil engineering design team oversee the engineering
the association also helps to so that we can provide for process from identification to detail
stimulate growth in various design, after which the project is

countries. By presenting to them, communities and see handed over to the operations unit,
we then market South Africa. We growth—taking a village and under General Manager Mr. Ngoako
benefit out of them using us as a Martin Ramaboea.

destination point for transporting converting it into a smart Mr Tulsi says the highlight of his
goods,” says Mr Tulsi, who is also the village. By us building a short career at RAL has been to see
chairperson of the Marine Division the social impact the work of the

of the SA Institute of Civil Engineers. road in a village, we are agency has on communities,
Currently, the transportation of connecting that village to especially the development of
emerging businesses and consultants.
goods happen from China to

America via the Suez Canal and the rest of the world. It “The highlight is delivering to
the Panama Channel. Mr Tulsi keeps you motivated,” the people’s requests. We study
plans to persuade the decision- civil engineering so that we can

makers to change this so that the provide for communities and see

trade trajectory could start in growth taking a village and

China and go to America via South converting it into a smart village.

Africa and Brazil. By us building a road in a village,

“We want them to use to use that transportation network. We we are connecting that village to the rest of the world. It keeps

also want to encourage cruise liners to come this way and their you motivated,” he points out.

tourists to travel to place like Polokwane and Kruger National While at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

Park using our road network,” he says. Transnet and some (CSIR), he was part of the high-prof ile television campaign that

government departments are on board and are the key used the institute’s top young scientists to encourage the youth to

institutions driving the projects. pursue careers in the science and maths in a 2015 campaign

Mr Tulsi says he left Stellenbosch for Polokwane because he called “#theideasthatwork”. The 36-year-old, married father of

wanted to get “all-round exposure” as a civil engineer. two daughters still speaks at schools and universities, where he

“When I was along the coastline, I did mostly coastal project. promotes the sciences.

Now that I am inland I do mostly construction and development He holds a Bachelor of Technology and a Master’s degrees

in villages, which means I’m doing more urban development.” from Durban University of Technology and Stellenbosch

he says. “The reason for me moving here is to gain more University respectively.

exposure into transforming villages to smart villages and see We can only hope that government’s quest to bring more

how we can improve on their economic development.” trade to our shores succeed, and it is people like Mr Tulsi who
Mr Tulsi comes to RAL with a lot of experience having carry our hopes. m

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 9

SMMEs Empowerment

Empowerment of SMMEs
critical for RAL

RAL’s R164 Million
Empowerment Initiative

leads the way
R oads Agency Limpopo is blazing a trail when it comes
to the empowerment of small rural businesses. development and inclusive economic growth.
RAL CEO Maselaganye Matji says the agency’s In terms of RAL policy, successful contact bidders are
policy of setting aside 30% of its roads construction
budget for locally produced goods and service has seen RAL expected to subcontract to small businesses in the villages
spending R164 million on Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises adjacent to the roads they are building or upgrading.
(SMMEs) in the last financial year.
“Even though we are building roads, we want to use roads as
This translated into the creation of more than 1500 vehicles for building the economy in the areas where we are
job opportunities in the financial year ended in March 2017. Job implementing our projects. We make sure that it’s part of the
creation is one of the non-negotiable imperatives of the National contract to the main contractor to employ local SMMEs,” Mr
Development Plan, the country’s long-term vision for Matji explains. “Our definition of ‘local’ is ‘affected villages’. If
the road passes through certain villages, that’s what we define
10 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 as local.”

SMMEs Empowerment

Mr Matji says the success of this initiative to boost the If it is R100 million, we say to them this is worth R100 million

“village economy” puts RAL ahead of the pack. Although it’s and 30% of it will be spent here. If you don’t know what 30% is,

now government policy to procure 30% of goods and service we will help you,” he says. “We empower our communities to

from local small businesses, many public institutions are still understand the value the project is bringing to the area and our

grappling with implementation. expectations from them. What that does is to ensure that they

Before the start of each project, the CEO explains, RAL buy into the project. Even after completion, chances are very

identifies activities small businesses could get involved in. slim that they will destroy it.”

These include stone pitching, stone water drains, fencing, Roads construction does not come cheap as it costs anything

security services and road caps. between R8 million and R11 million per kilometre to deliver a

“So it’s not just carrying flags and calming traffic. What you road. In the current economic climate, where capital expenditure

want is for them to grow from Grade 1 to another grade at the budgets are frozen and the demand for service is growing, RAL

end of the project. The one who is in Grade 1 or 2, you give has to do more with what it has.

them a task that can take them to another grade. Actually, you Mr Matji says the unintended consequence of the successful

are building them up,” he explains. delivery on projects is that communities tend to demand more

Some of the success stories include sub-contractors in the delivery in turn.

Masisi and Ga-Mampuru projects. Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu believes

Mr Matji says RAL has also drawn some key lessons that the country needs to unlock the potential of small

from the implementation of this

initiative, which will inform future

best practices.

The CEO shares some of the

insights he has gained from the

initiative: “Not all contractors will

comply. You will have challenges

here and there. You have to be tough “Even though we are building roads, we want
to ensure that they adhere to the to use roads as a vehicle for building the
rules and regulations of the

programme. economy in the areas where we are implementing
“Contractors are not used to our roads. We make sure that it’s part of the

subcontracting local people. They

will tell you that there are no skills or contract for the main contractor to employ local
contractors who can do that. We SMMEs,” Mr Matji explains.
believe no one was born with a skill.

We have quarterly sessions where

we explain to contractors why we

are doing what we are doing.”

The other lesson is that these

small businesses do not have the

scope to opt for mechanisation,

which means they have to rely on the people from their areas businesses to reverse the scourge of high unemployment SA

to get the job done. So both the main contractor and the SMMEs faces. She wants to see government procuring half of its goods

contribute to job creation for locals. from township businesses—a significant portion of which

“In the process you are also looking for ways to train them so should be owned by women, young people and people living in

that you could produce skills that can be used somewhere at rural areas.

the end of the project. We don’t want those contractors to tender She believes that small enterprises are punching way below

only for that project we want them to be exposed to other their weight in our economy, which is still dominated by

projects. This is in a way pushing for growth and producing new big businesses. She told Parliament in May that of the

players in the construction sector,” explains Mr Matji. R2,3 trillion generated by the economy, small businesses

Roads, like other basic facilities, are in demand in local accounted for just 40%.

communities. When the expectations of their delivery are not “We need to do better and match the global average which

met or are deferred, community protests sometimes flare up. Mr show small businesses share higher levels of participation in

Matji explains that RAL values communication with communities various economies. This is possible if we heed the President’s

as the long-term survival of the road infrastructure hinges on directive to set aside at least 30% of government procurement

their buy-in. budget of around R600 billion towards SMMEs and
“We make local people know what the value of the project is. Cooperatives,” she said. m

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 11

SMMEs Empowerment

RAL contractors workshop in session

BOOSTING

village economy is RAL’s priority

R oads Agency Limpopo (RAL) CEO, Maseleganye The meeting saw contractors who are currently busy with
Matji says that roads are the drivers of the economy. the construction and maintenance of the province’s roads,
Matji urged contractors during an interactive share information with one another.
session at Bolivia lodge in Polokwane in August
2017 to ensure that they had contributed to the lives of people In the previous financial year, R164 million was spent on
within their project areas once they had completed the work. SMMEs in project areas in the province which exceeded the
R95 million target which was set.
Mr Matji said that contributing to local Small, Medium and
Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and training of local labour is a Mr Matji said that although he was satisfied with the current
lifetime investment for people in rural communities throughout state of contribution towards SMMEs in the province, he was
the province. also hopeful that there will be an improvement this financial
year. “We have made good progress,” he said.
“It should be a moral obligation to support our plan of
SMMEs and job creation,” he added. He told contractors that proof of payment to small companies
should be presented, “We do not just want a report that SMMEs
12 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

SMMEs Empowerment

Participants at the RAL contractors’ workshop were told that they were
important partners in building the village economy

have been paid. We require proof on a monthly basis. This is for RAL CEO also said that doing projects in a shorter space of
auditing purposes,” he said time saves a lot of money. He added that other contractors would
rather finish the projects sooner and invoice RAL at a later stage.
The biggest contributor towards SMMEs in the previous
year was Lonerock Construction company which spent about Mr Matji said that RAL has brought in the private sector in
R 64 million. order to raise money to ensure that more projects are executed.
Eskom and Venetia mines are some of the companies which
The company is currently busy with two projects in Steelpoort came on board and supplemented RAL’s budget.
and Monsterlus, in the Sekhukhune area. Lonerock’s Vicus
Naude says that they engage with communities in order to “We are all serving the same people, just wearing different
make the project work for both SMMEs and the company. hats.” Mr Matji said

“We try to be creative and think out of the box in order to Mr Matji says that RAL has thus far raised R310 million
assist these business with finding financial solutions to make it through the strategy of partnering with the private sector. He
work,” said Mr Naude says the common concern with most companies is whether
there is good governance within the agency.
He added that the nature of their contracts with SMMEs
makes it possible to work with them on projects. Ignoring key areas while bidding for projects can cost a
company millions – that’s CEO Matji’s warning to contractors.
Mr Naude said that some of the expectations from He says that most bidders focus on the pricing of the project
communities are unrealistic which makes it hard to carry out and forget the key areas in the very strict criteria.
projects in the areas.
During a presentation of the tendering process, RAL’s Nick
Mark Naidoo of Stefanutti Stocks says that the session made Muthivheli added by stating that bidders lose their opportunities
him realise that most challenges that contractors face are similar. to bid because tender documents are dissembled or some
documents are not filled and compliance is not met. He says
“The session was informative and makes one realise that he that these inconsistencies are common.
or she is not alone,” he said.
“You cannot have the same team working on five different
The company is working on a project in Ga-Seleka. Mr projects which are running at the same time,” said Mr Muthivheli.
Naidoo added that although it was diff icult to find skilled
labourers within the area, they enlisted the help of community The CEO also warned contractors not to cut corners stating
members and the local municipality. that harsh steps would be taken against them. He says so far
there has not been any incidents where steps have been taken
Operations Director for Motlokwa Transport Construction, against a contractor who has failed to deliver quality work since
Katlego Thobejane says that f inding skilled labour is not so the 2015/16 financial year.
much a challenge as it is finding certain SMMEs that provide
the necessary material. “When you design our roads, do not cut corners by thumb
sucking hydrological models. This creates poor infrastructure
The company is busy with a road in Lephalale. She added down the line,” he said.
that pricing of some of the commercial materials in the area was
a bit higher than expected. He continued to say that the performance of contractors
affects the Agency’s key performance indicators.
Mr Thobejane says the meeting was an informative one and
that she learned from some of her colleagues in the industry. He added that the Agency and contractors should be able to
take pride in the work that they have done after a project has
“It was good to interact with the CEO and I’m glad that we been completed. m
were able to share some of the challenges we face with him and
he is working with us on them,” said Mr Thobejane.

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 13

Big Interview

The Chairperson of the Roads
Agency Limpopo’s Contracts and
Planning Committee of the
Board, Hellen Kekana

14 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

Big Interview

The road ahead

ENCisOstiUll loRng AbutGING

PROGRESS MADE

T he Chairperson of the Roads Agency Limpopo’s compliance and Executive Management’s commitment to
Contracts and Planning Committee of the Board, follow processes and turn things around.”
Hellen Kekana, is upbeat that the committee’s
“While RAL has not yet reached the peak of Mount Uhuru in

strategic interventions are bearing fruit. terms of contracts and procurement, it has certainly left behind

The role of the Contracts and Planning Committee is to the culture of non-compliance that was the weakness of

advise RAL’s Board and oversee procurement, planning and procurement three years ago.”

contract management. “We are proud of the progress we have made thus far. The

Ms Kekana, who chairs the success of our interventions is

committee as an independent Non- evident in the audit results, which

Executive Director, attributes some have been improving since we

of the major improvements in RAL’s “We are proud of the progress took over from disclaimer in
audit outcomes to the work the we have made thus far. The 2014/15 to qualified in 2015/16 and
committee has done to ensure the unqualified in 2016/17. ” says Ms

Agency complies with the relevant success of our interventions is Kekana.
laws, regulations and policies. evident in the audit results, Even though the 38-year old is

The committee - whose other the Deputy Director-General in the

members are independent Non- which have been improving Office of the Premier in Free State,
Executive Director Ms Gaba since we took over from she was born in Zebediela and her
Moleko and ex-off icio Board family moved to Seshego six years

member, Mr Russel Mulamula disclaimer in 2014/15 to ago. She has over 16 years work
oversees contracts that are worth qualified in 2015/16 and experience under her belt working
more than R20 million in value. in diverse fields such as built

Ms Kekana recounts that back unqualified in 2016/17. ” environment, public administration,
in 2014, when the current board says Ms Kekana. government monitoring and
was appointed, virtually all the evaluation.

submissions to the committee fell After completing her National

short of complying with the Diploma in Building and Bachelor

legislation and prescripts governing of Technology in Quantity

procurement. Surveying at the former Wits Technikon in 2000 and 2002

“This changed progressively overtime to more than 95% of respectively, Ms Kekana pursued her Management Development

the submissions complying with laws and regulations currently Programme at the University of Pretoria, Project Management at

because of the internal controls we have put in place,” she the University of Witwatersrand and Evidence-Based Policy-

recalls. “This is all due to robust monitoring and oversight by the Making and Implementation at the University of Cape Town a

Contracts and Planning Committee of the Board to ensure few years later.

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 15

Big Interview

Kekana says while RAL is on
course to continuously improve
its audit opinions, it remains
vigilant against complacency

Prior to her current position, she resting on its laurels.
was the Chief Director: Roads in the She expresses concern that there are still bidders who do not
Free State Department of Police, Roads
and Transport. Part of her enormous fulfil all pre-qualification requirements when submitting their bids.
responsibilities included all roads related “The non-compliance areas include bids not being fully
infrastructure projects and contractor
development. She was also the National completed and properly signed, bids not meeting all the
Programme Manager and Programme conditions of Contract and Technical Specifications and bidders
Implementation Manager at Independent not submitting all the required documents,” she warns. “It
Development Trust responsible for is mostly issues that could easily be avoided if the completion
managing infrastructure projects and of the tender documents can be improved and prioritised by
programmes. the bidders.”

It was based on this experience that Her advice to would-be bidders is simple: “Do not delegate
she was nominated and appointed on the work of completing the tender document to junior
the RAL Board in 2014. staff without keeping a close eye on the work they are doing;
avoid completing your documents at the last minute as you are
“When we took over as the Board, likely to miss any errors that might creep in.” Ms Kekana
RAL, along with Provincial Government acknowledges that the road ahead is long and challenging, but
was under administration. We were remains positive that success is inevitable. m
determined to make a difference and
we did. As the Chairperson of the
Contracts and Planning Committee, I
had a huge responsibility of putting
internal controls in place to assist the
Agency to improve compliance. The
key intervention I put in place was to
introduce the Procurement Checklist for PFMA procurement
and contract management as a systematic way to check
compliance and strengthen internal controls.”

“The committee made it a requirement that Executive
Management submits the completed and signed procurement
checklist along with the submissions to the committee. This is
utilised to conf irm compliance with the relevant laws,
regulations and policies.”

“When we took over, there was an alarming culture of non-
compliance. It required us to play a firm oversight role to ensure
compliance,” she says.

In the past RAL’s audit opinion alternated between disclaimer
and adverse opinions—which are the worst opinion the Auditor-
General can express about the state of a government institution’s
financial books. While Ms Kekana reckons that RAL is on track
to achieving clean audit opinions from the supreme audit
institution in the near future, the committee has no intention of

16 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

DE BEERS LAUNCHES MULTI-MILLION RAND
EMPOWERMENT DEAL AS PART OF LOCAL

PROCUREMENT DRIVE

HIGH IMPACT EMPOWERMENT DEAL UNDERGROUND PROJECT

De Beers has announced the opening of a major • Construction of the HTTS Building at the Venetia
empowerment deal related to the bussing of its employees Underground Project
to and from its operations at Venetia Mine.
In a one of its kind high impact local procurement and To date the Local Procurement Drive has led to Venetia
empowerment initiative Venetia Mine in partnership with Mine interacting with a total of 226 local businesses who
VM Diamond Transport are seeking local HDSA owned have expressed their interest. At the time of publishing
businesses to become 40% shareholders in the soon to be 58 local companies had been shortlisted for a number of
established bussing companies in Musina and Blouberg. these advertised opportunities.
The proposed business model will see these entities
purchase shares and participate in the operation of an DE BEERS BUSINESS INCUBATOR
eight year bussing contract for Venetia Mine. In support
of the De Beers socio-economic development strategy, In addition to the drive to promote local business
these companies will participate in a two year business within their supply chain, Venetia Mine is on the cusp
development programme sponsored by De Beers with of launching the De Beers Business Incubator - an
technical training provided by VM Diamond Transport. accelerated development programme for small, medium-
The aim is for these empowerment partners to obtain a sized and microenterprises in mining communities.
majority share of the business within five years. De Beers Consolidated Mines Enterprise and Supplier
“We believe that empowerment deals such as this Development Manager, Gregory Petersen says “We
one have the power to transform the socio-economic believe this initiative will maximise the impact and
landscape of our mining communities. By focussing on sustainability of our existing Enterprise and Supplier
women, youth and disabled owned entities we hope to Development initiatives and make these SMME’s better
see an impact where it is needed the most” says Venetia equipped to meet the governance and legal compliance
Mine General Manager, Benford Mokoatle. requirements of businesses such as ours – making them
more marketable and more profitable.”
LOCAL PROCUREMENT DRIVE The programme will be facilitated by the specialist
mentoring and training company TrioPlus and is open to
This empowerment deal is one of fifty expressions both existing businesses and budding entrepreneurs in the
of interest that De Beers has set aside for local Musina and Blouberg Local Municipalities.
SME’s operating in their labour sending areas. Other
opportunities for local enterprises advertised this quarter
include:
• A partnership with Bridestone, Global Wheel and

Willards to establish a locally owned distribution centre
for tyres, rims and batteries that will service Venetia Mine
and the wider community.
• Road maintenance and construction both onsite at
Venetia Mine and in our mining communities.
• Repairs to Bund Walls
• C leaning at the Venetia Primary Crusher
• O peration of the Venetia Mine Take Away Canteen
• S upply of LDV Tyres, Batteries and Rims
• Provision of Small Civil Works at the Venetia

For more information about local business opportunities at Venetia Mine please visit:
www.debeersgroup.com/expresssions

Engineering

Meet members of RAL’s

Engineering Team

E ngineering is central to the work of the Roads scale,” he notes. “It’s a culture shock because communities want
Agency Limpopo. Our team of professionals always roads and want quality. So you must know what to say to the
have their fingers on the pulse of things. We communities”.
introduce you to some of our senior managers.
RAL’s General Manager: Operations Ngoako Ramaboea Although this is the first time he works in Polokwane, the
wants to bring down the cost of building roads so that the 35-year old father of two grew up in Bendor. He knew when he
Agency can get more “bang for its buck”. was in Grade 10 that he would pursue a career in civil
engineering after he solicited career advice from a neighbour.
An experienced civil engineer who joined RAL in January He later went to Wits University to study for his degree in his
2017 after working in the private sector for eight years, Mr favourite f ield.
Ramaboea and his team are working on plans to f ind innovative
ways to reduce road construction costs. He believes that the
costs “are quite high” at between R8 million and R11 million per
kilometre, and plans to bring it down so that the Agency could
build more roads with funds it gets from the fiscus.

“That is the next focus point for me at RAL,” explains the
Wits University graduate. “Other than that I am interacting
f irst-hand with communities, which has given me a new
direction in my career. I’m learning now how to work with
people and that’s quite interesting.”

But Mr Ramaboea’s work with communities has not
come as a complete culture shock as his previous work at
mining company, Exxaro, included the implementation of
the social labour plans in Lephalale. Social labour plans,
which are part of the licences given to mining f irms, spell out
how mines will share the benef its f lowing from mining
with communities and employees. These include the
development of roads, schools, houses and clinics.

“That’s where my love of communities
started. It was as if God was preparing me for
RAL. It is an extension of what I was already
doing at a smaller scale, but now at a larger

NGOAKO RAMABOEA, RAL’s General Manager: Operations

18 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

Engineering

“The f loods had a tremendous impact in
the allocation of budgets in the years

after it. That was an eye-opener to RAL
to prioritise roads maintenance,” he

says. “It was very challenging because
at that stage we were running almost
a hundred projects between four
or f ive project managers.”

the many changes it has

undergone over the years. But

he says the f loods of the

year 2000, which washed

away a lot of our provincial

roads infrastructure, was

the turning point in his

RAL’s career.

“The f loods had a

tremendous impact in

the allocation of budgets

in the years after it.

That was an eye-opener

to RAL to prioritise

roads maintenance,” he

says. “It was very

challenging because at

that stage we were

HANNES GROENEWALD, RAL’s Senior Manager: Operations running almost a

R AL’s Senior Manager: Operations Hannes Groenewald, hundred projects
is eight pay days away from retirement, but he’s not
hanging up the tools of the trade just yet. between four or five
Mr Groenewald, who acquired his engineering degree at the
University of Pretoria 30 years ago, jokingly describes his job as project managers.”
entailing “doing everything” because he has been with RAL
since its inception in 1999 when it had only 15 people. In a Mr Groenewald is also happy that RAL is addressing
sense the former provincial Public Works Department’s Chief
Engineer for Construction is correct because he’s done virtually Bermuda roads, which remain incomplete, and believes that
everything in his 30-year long career.
this will come as a benefit to the affected communities. One of
He’s seen the Agency’s budget grow from a mere R34 million
in 1999 to a whopping R500 million almost a decade later, and his projects is the R354 million, Mampuru Project, in

Sekhukhune, which will take three years to complete.

“When you have a Bermuda road, locals do not have the

benef it of tarred roads from the beginning. They drive on a

tarred road for a few kilometres and then they are back on dirt

or gravel road.” he says.

The father of three adult children, hopes to pursue his

hobbies of hunting game in retirement, now that he doesn’t go

to watch rugby at stadiums a lot.

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 19

Engineering

RAL’s Senior Manager: Land Use Thomas Shivambu, is property closer to those roads, and businesses that need access
an old hand who has seen it all at RAL. to the provincial roads. When companies need to mine closer to
He has done so many things since he completed his our roads, lay overhead power cables, or underground pipelines
artisan qualif ication in engineering at Madikoti College in 1981. that impinge on the provincial roads, they also need RAL’s
The registered Civil Engineering Technologist, who has been permission.
with RAL since it was established, eventually acquired a
Bachelor of Technology degree from the University of South Mr Shivambu says the biggest challenge facing his four-
Africa in 2007. member team is how to control unapproved informal trading
along the roads throughout the province. The wares they sell
He is responsible for processing all land use management, include animals and fruits.
and all applications pertaining to the use of land that encroaches
on our provincial roads. These include billboards, developing “Because of unemployment in the country, people tend to go

“Some people sleep there as buses
sometimes drive past very early in the
morning. We have tried to get stalls built
in areas such as Moeketsi, but people

want to sell on the edge of the road.”

THOMAS SHIVAMBU, RAL’s Senior Manager: Land Use and trade in the road reserves. Some even build some illegal
structures on the side of the road, which must be removed by
20 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 law. If it has been there for more than six months, you must get
a court order,” he explains. “Some people sleep there as buses
sometimes drive past very early in the morning. We have tried

to get stalls built in areas such as Moeketsi, but people
want to sell on the edge of the road.”
Mr Shivambu says while the law
allows his unit to act against these
illegal practices along the 20 000 –
kilometre provincial road network,
it’s easier said than done because
of the sensitivities involved. The
massive development of facilities
like shopping centres has also
increased the demand for
technologies such as traff ic lights
in the former homelands, where
none existed prior to 1994.
The 60-year old father of three
boys has worked on a lot of
projects in his long career,
including the concreting of the
Ben Schoeman highway in
Gauteng in 1987. He is
looking forward to his
retirement soon. m

Personalities

Celebrated
Muvhango actor

lauds RAL’s road infrastructure delivery

C elebrated Limpopo-born actor
and Television presenter Gabriel
Temudzani was waxing lyrical
about Road Agency Limpopo’s
expansive infrastructure roll-out when
Mmileng caught up with him recently.

Born in the nondescript Tshivhilidulu, the
37-year-old Mr Temudzani who plays the role
of redoubtable polygamist, Chief Azwindini
Mukwevho of the f ictitious Thathe village on
the popular SABC 2 soap opera Muvhango
knows a lot about ‘rags to riches’ transformation.
“We are grateful to RAL for upgrading roads
because rural communities were facing
serious challenges in accessing economic
activity centres. People in rural areas have
suffered untold misery.”

Now an established veteran in Duma
Ndlovu produced-soapie, having made his
small screen debut as a rustic 20-year-old
back in 2000, Mr Temudzani quickly turned
his thespian charms into salutary road safety
perspective involving fellow yet less savoury
road users. And those are intimately close to
his heart, in the less acknowledged pedestrians
and other unauthorised users of the road -
livestock.

He says pedestrians needed to be more
responsible in their use of roads infrastructure,
particularly when crossing busy roads. The
lanky actor, who was recently in the news
condemning the spate of violence against
women and children that gripped the country
exude such venerable aura it is hard not to
bob one’s head in his presence.

Muvhango lead actor Gabriel Temudzani

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 21

Personalities

Mr Temudzani decries reckless road
users who violate rules and cause
unnecessary fatalities

“Pedestrian fatalities results from their
denial and indifference to use the right
channels to cross the roads,” he says.
He emphasized the importance of
using pedestrian bridges when
crossing busy roads and pleaded
with drivers to exercise more
patience on the road. “RAL has
done a tremendous job to
ensure the safety of
pedestrians, and ‘Together
for better roads’ mean’s
pedestrians also need
to come to the party.”

It is hard to believe
the award-winning actor,
immediately noted for
his portrayal of the benign
“Vhafuwi” because of the
17-year stint as protagonist on
the South African Film and Television Awards-nominated
Muvhango, has had time to star in other productions.

In between, he took up roles in feature f ilms Diamond and
Destiny, Five Seasons and the thriller Night Drive. In theatre, the
thespian cemented his credentials by receiving a Vita gong for
his role in the stage play The Dog and The Night Horror. And he
also had time for his f irst TV presenting rodeo on SABC 2
cultural magazine show La Familia.

Mr Temudzani says despite government’s efforts to ensure
safety of pedestrians by constructing these bridges, for some
reasons majority still prefer to jaywalk dangerous highways.

He has also praised work done at Matoks/N1 South which
saw the construction of two pedestrian bridges and a main
vehicle overpass bridge, as well as the 1.9km service road.
These upgrades are part of the R143-million South African
National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and Limpopo Department
of Transport initiative to safeguard the local community of
Botlokwa. Over the years, this stretch of the N1 has claimed
the lives of many pedestrians.

“I encourage pedestrians to use the bridge to avoid being hit
by speeding cars. It is for their own good as new pedestrian
bridges are aimed at making roads safer for everyone.” He said
drivers should always remember to reduce speed when
approaching pedestrian crossings and give priority to pedestrians.

22 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

Personalities

Mr Temudzani’s salutary “I encourage pedestrians to use the bridge to avoid being

experience is also ref lected in hit by speeding cars. It is for their own good as new
Arrive Alive’s current report on pedestrian bridges are aimed at making roads safer for
Pedestrian Safety in South

Africa. The report’s data reveals everyone.” He said drivers should always remember to
that approximately 35-40% of reduce speed when approaching pedestrian crossings
road deaths in South Africa are

pedestrian deaths. It also noted and give priority to pedestrians.”
that pedestrian fatalities remain

a major concern for road safety

and health authorities –

especially in middle and lowers

income countries.

This modest rural boy who could easily churn out passengers, as well as general damage to cars. And even

convincing royal edicts, also pointed out his concerns about motorists trying to avoid animal-vehicle collisions, may careen

wandering livestock, particularly on main and busy roads, into bushes, crash into trees or other objects even bursting into

which often turn into deadly hazards. flames also resulting in death.”

He said car accidents involving animals were a common “All road users must be familiar with rules and regulations of

occurrence and he urged livestock owners to be responsible so the road and adhere to them.” He concluded with some regal

that all lives are safeguarded. gravitas by pleading with livestock owners to also familiarise
“Crashes into animals can cause fatal injuries to drivers and themselves with the National Road Traff ic Act. m

ADVERTISE
WITH
MMILENG

MMILENG is the official FIERDSITTIQOUNA2R0T1E7R MMILENMGMILENGWELCOME TO OUR ROADTHEIDRIDTIQOUNA2R0T1E6R NETWWEOLRCKOME TO OUR ROAD NETWORK
quarterly publication
of the Road Agency PASARTMSReETAjRokRLihnINCuAAinAkNghENDTuhnPRaAeELnNAdrSeGGTsgILiNnHiOoIUnCMIPS RAL Quarterly Newsletter, Edition 2, March 2016
Limpopo (RAL) containing RALguArnoNlowDctkhLinEingDWeJAcaoDtenJroAbmeCircOg AL
informative and insightful
up-to-date news on the RWAOLRAKT• roofaGd af-oPrhtahseha
road infrastructure work Brand new
of the Agency. community
• NGeiywanhiotpoeMoanlatmheulreolead from
www.ral.co.za • Less fixing, more driving
STATE OF THSEKEREOMADSASAAMFETYNRLAIOECFTWAEODLERYSARBOSMTAIUHEDAIESInRSLXpKoEATuPAIeEFbFENSxElCFiOTcTcTREuYpARsTRreMISoGWTtEpMHBRoEAeATUEEdrSECKCtCRUaNyKTEmOR,NEULNsEAaODdRaDSgDoyGEesu
PROVINCE RIRMOPARDAOSVMAEGADLLEMAUNUADCDWYBIATOLICIOLMKOPPIUONPIOONDFORITOXFORD UNRIVOEARDSSITAYFETYPIONRFFERMJAOIESBRTCRMRUEACATTTHUIAORBENARTOHLALOSAUYTSAPTRTOHVEINHCEIAARLT
RAL CEO Matji shares unique business
2012 COMRADES CHAMPION •••B uildiRPRnoeograafddol mrnimmeatanPwnaOcogeerP kmmO peao’nnsrtat RgpfoelOalminaoe dnts ••P aRtnUPeupRbdilanictge PrFivOaRted PaervtneelrOshPipms ent
concepts wreiflthectthseaonnwdLoairmtlhdpleortepincoSo’atsrwf•a•rO•e•••R oni u nteaeRygi dnduPogselGNFTNaONnrrehaoooRwPedtmt le etuBFa e aCpfheofrrtpaaEoeoeroOm tmdpin’u’r ssttrto h hRDmVgoeereiee e aMPasnwmkrtEdesmCmesi eris
••Oe uvReRrOPyVrahooedvmninPbceeRia ’DOls oijsvetrercreicvttiseswponsibilit•sy takehMOinlindge InRdaebnagagement

2017 MMILENG advertising rates:

Size Black/White Colour
Quarterly Annually Quarterly Annually

Full Page R25 000 R90 000 R30 000 R108 000

2 Page Spread R45 000 R162 000 R55 000 R198 000

Half Page R12 500 R45 000 R15 000 R54 000

2/3 Page R16 700 R60 120 R20 000 R72 000

1/3 Page R8 400 R30 240 R10 000 R36 000

1/4 Page R6 300 R22 680 R7 500 R27 000

To place an advert, please email MMILENG Editor,
Mr Maropeng Manyathela at [email protected]
or contact him on 015 291 4236

Internship Program

trainingon-the-jobRAL gives young graduates

E ach year Roads Agency Limpopo provides new graduates and
undergraduates with practical works experience opportunities as a
contribution to job creation and career development initiative.
We introduce some of the new recruits.

NAME: Fhumulani Nelwamondo (28)
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Sciences Honours in

Geography (University of Venda)

Fhumulani, who hails from Lwamondo, hopes to use her Environmental Management internship to
develop skills in road construction environmental management. This budding environmental field
researcher hopes the skills she’s getting will stand her in good stead someday. “I have benefited from
this internship by working with professionals in the office and in the field. I have acquired a wide
range of environmental management field skills that expand what I learnt at university. These skills
include the implementation of environmental laws and policies, consultations with relevant stakeholder
departments, and exposure to construction site inspections. They have given me the confidence I need to achieve my career goals.”

NAME: Mulanga Sikhitha (25)
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Life and Environmental Sciences (University of

Johannesburg) and Honours (University of Limpopo)

Mulanga, who comes from Mukula, feels that her Environmental Management internship has given
her the professional skills that will come in handy in her future career. She aspires to start her own
firm one day, which she hopes will be a springboard for young people to realise their dreams.

“The internship has been of great benef it where practical experience and networking are
concerned. I have gained exposure to real world problems, which complements the theoretical
knowledge I acquired at university. Working with and learning from accomplished professionals from
diverse fields is simply amazing.”

24 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

Internship Program

NAME: Caroline Kunene (24)
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Commerce and Honours in Human Resources and Postgraduate

Diploma in Education (University of Limpopo)

Caroline, who is from Lebowakgomo, hopes that her Human Resources Management internship will
enhance her career skills and contribute towards her personal development. She hopes to reach the
higher echelons in her field someday.

“It has provided me with practical experience in every technical aspect of Human Resources
Division. I have developed great analytical and problem-solving skills. Being rotated in different units
has helped me discover the area I would like to specialise in once I’m through with my internship.
The internship has enabled me to grow while enjoying a challenging and rewarding career.”

NAME: Baleseng Chuene Khwinana (27)
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Laws (University of Limpopo)

Baleseng, a resident of Moletjie, says her internship in the Company Secretary’s Office has equipped
her with skills in technical areas such as legal drafting. She says it has also given her insight into how
corporate governance works. She believes this is what she needs as she embarks on a journey to
become a star corporate lawyer and a board member.

“I have gained information and skills on how to relate with Board Members, prepare for their
meetings and take minutes at meetings. I have also learnt how to cater for their professional needs
to enable them to run the company better.”

NAME: Maropeng Ayesha Mansuri (24)
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Accounting Sciences (University of Limpopo) and a Postgraduate

Diploma in Applied Accounting Science (University of South Africa)

Maropeng, who is a resident of Seshego, says the experience she has gained in the Finance division
will help increase her employment prospects in this tough economic climate. She’s not deterred by
the stiff competition she faces, and hopes to become a chartered accountant and a registered auditor.

“The internship is giving me exposure to various aspects of finance. It has reinforced my view that
finance is one of the most exciting career paths one could choose. It has also boosted my employment
prospects.”

NAME: Nkoane Phedisho Nchabeleng (29)
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Laws (University of Limpopo)

Nkoane, who hails from Lebowakgomo, says his internship in the Legal Services division has
equipped him with the tools he needs to succeed as a legal advisor in the corporate world. He’s
training his sights on being a hotshot property developer and hopes to further his studies in
commercial law someday.

“I have gained experience in the field of corporate law. The exposure is great and I am having a
whale of a time. It is such an eye-opener to have to apply in concrete situations some of the theoretical
knowledge I acquired at university. I feel privileged to be navigating these uncharted territories under
the wing of experienced professionals.”

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 25

Internship Program

NAME: Morris Mashabela (29)
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management

Morris, who is a resident of Madiba Park, reckons that the exposure he is getting through his
internship in the Finance division will help him explore opportunities in the field. While his goal of
being a dynamic corporate executive is not yet on the horizon, he is “slowly paddling his canoe”
towards that destination.

“I am getting workplace exposure and experience, especially because we rotate within the
Finance Section. Our internship covers fields such as supply chain management, management
accounting, and expenditure. I will benef it a lot as I am currently studying towards the Honours degree in Business Management,
with Supply Chain management as my major.”

NAME: Matome Godliver Sekuba (27)
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in Communication (University of South Africa)

Matome, who hails from Mohodi, hopes her internship in the Communication Section will boost her
career and personal development. She firmly believes that this opportunity has set her on the course
of realising her goal of becoming a global communication specialist.

“The internship has offered me exposure to various facets of communication as a professional
field. I have really got to know and understand organisational communications. I had previously
freelanced in radio, and I found my internship stint in corporate communications both challenging
and exciting. It keeps my creative juice flowing.”

NAME: Theshmah Zitha (29)
EDUCATION: Diploma in Labour Relations Management

(Tshwane University of Technology)

Theshmah, who is from Phalaborwa, hopes to use her Human Resources internship to deepen her
knowledge of labour relations. She also sees this as an opportunity to learn her professional ropes
under the mentorship of her more experienced seniors so that one day she could add value to her
future employer.

“I am gaining work experience and developing my skills at the same time. It is such a thrill to be
able to apply the ideas I learnt in class in the real world. My internship is providing the bridge that
is enabling me to cross the vast chasm between the two.” m

26 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

RAL at Work

Four villages in the Greater

gLeettabna eMwunicripoalaityd

W hile we take bridges for granted, for the village aid by constructing two bridges and a three kilometre road.
of Ga-Ntata, a bridge being constructed will Community Liaison Officer (CLO), Mosibudi Seshoene, says
improve their quality of life. For them a bridge
is a life-changer that will help them cross a the project to construct the three kilometre stretch of road has
river to access clinics, schools and shops on the other side. seen over one hundred people being recruited to provide labour.

Road Agency Limpopo (RAL), through construction and At least four villages, Ga-Ntata, Mamokgadi, Block 17 and
engineering company Axton Matrix, has come to the community’s Block 18, are benefitting from the construction through job and
business opportunities. Locals have taken advantage of the

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 27

RAL at Work

The four villages of Ga-Ntata, Mamokgadi,
Block 17 and Block 18 are benefiting from job
and business opportunities brought by the
new road construction

project by selling food to the workforce and providing rental “We started working on the project in August last year 2016.

accommodation to non-local workers. This project has opened up many opportunities for the

“The contractor came in with skilled labourers who are community members and our company staff.” Maemu said.

renting accommodation from some of the homeowners here. Matlharhi Mabunda, an intern employed by Mbanga Trading,

There are added benef its, the project also supplies water for the says he has learned all about what a big project such as this

community which has a dire shortage,” says Seshoene. particular road project entails. He says that it has been a

Seshoene says that the project great opportunity to complete his

has created more opportunities for training under such a big project.

the transport industry as well. The This project, he says, “I studied Project Management
project, which has been running at school and started working on

for about twenty months, is due has inspired him to start the project as part of my internship
for completion soon. Site Manager his own business one in February this year. I have gained
Tshepo Selotole says the creation exposure in every aspect.” said

of jobs and business opportunities, day. Mabunda added Mabunda.
including support for small that he is proud of the Mabunda says that his
businesses, was key to the
responsibilities on the project were

development of the village’s legacy this project nerve-wrecking at first but he
economy. RAL has dedicate 30% of will leave to the slowly eased into them as time
its procurement spend on small, went by.

medium and micro enterprises community. This project, he says, has
(SMMEs). Big engineering f irms inspired him to start his own

are required to empower small business one day. Mabunda added

businesses as a means to boost the that he is proud of the legacy this

village economy in communities project will leave to the community.

where they operate. Road user, Mariah Sekgobela

One of the SMMEs that are benefiting from the project is shares the same sentiments as Mabunda, adding it was a

Mbanga Trading Enterprises, which deals with earth works and struggle for school pupils to go to school during the heavy rains

clearing the ground before construction work can be done. The earlier this year. “The construction of the two bridges and the

company has employed seven local labourers since they began road will make it easier for us to get to places quicker.

working last year. Owner Vusani Maemu, says that he has gained We welcome this project with open arms. The new road will

greatly from this project, adding that the experience he has now make it easier for us to navigate to town and other places.”
She said. m
will help him upgrade his company and create more jobs.

28 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

RAL at Work

Road construction work underway
in the Mopani District

Nine villages

get economic boost through

new road construction

T he new 26 kilometres stretch of tar road, which the D3820 from Babangu to Blinkwater and 6.4 km of D3205 from
Roads Agency Limpopo is building in the Mopani Blinkwater to Maphalle.
district, will improve the quality of life for people living
in the surrounding villages through job creation and Local labourers on the project, say that the construction of
business opportunities. The implementation of the T657 project, the road is a relief to the villages whose residents barely make
which has been running since August 2015, has created over a ends meet. Violet Maluleke (38), a safety off icer, is one of the
hundred jobs for residents of nine villages in the district. The locals employed through the project. She says that she is now
villages include Babangu, Phikela, Blinkwater, Rotterdam, able to take care of her daughter financially as well as pay for
Ndengeza, Ximausa and Mavosa. her own studies at the University of South Africa, where she has
enrolled for a part-time diploma in safety.
The new road under construction connects 19.6 km of road
Says Maluleke: “The project will attract business opportunities

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 29

RAL at Work

The new road construction has created jobs,
business opportunities and improved the living
conditions of residents in nine villages

which will flourish once the project is complete. People already “This project has opened us to new experiences, and the
have business plans to bring in more taxis for people to exposure will help us to grow further. I struggled getting in-service
commute from here to town. There are not enough taxis that training after completing the theoretical part of my engineering
drive through the area because the gravel road causes damage studies, this experience has served as my on-the-job-training,
to them”. which is a prerequisite for the graduation,” he added.

Victor Ngobeni (32), one of the employees contracted to 4 Ninety percent of the workers from this SMME are from the
Arrows, Ruwacon Joint Ventures, says through the salary he has nine villages in the area. Ngobeni says that the majority of the
been getting from the project he is saving towards building his community’s families rely solely on this project.
own home.
“If this project was to be shut down today, a lot of families
Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) from the area would suffer – the project has improved their livelihood,” said
are also amongst the benef iciaries of the project through sub- Ngobeni.
contracting. One such small business is Mikondo Holdings, which
is constructing the V- drains alongside the road which serve as He added that the community will be exposed to new
drainage systems during rainy days. The company’s director, business ventures as the project continues. The 40-month
Wisani Hlungwani, who is also a civil engineering student, says project is set for completion in December 2018. Resident
that the project is the biggest his enterprise has had to date. The Engineer for the project, Cedrik Lebea, from Mtema Mashao
Babangu village-born businessman says that this company has Consulting engineers, says that his company was conf ident
created jobs for forty men and women in the area. the construction will be completed within the stipulated
deadline. m
30 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

RAL at Work

2015/16 UPGRADING PROJECTS

PROJECT NO: T601

RAL PROJECT MANAGER MAMOSADI MANKGA

ACTIVITY Maintenance rehab

ROAD/S P169/2

DESCRIPTION Steelpoort road
(from road P169/1 &

D212 to road P33/2)

24/11/2014
03/12/2014
16/02/2015
30/03/2015

04/07/2015

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 31

RAL at Work

24/07/2015
05/05/2015

11/06/2015

09/02/2016

MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

21/07/2015

Terminated

32 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

RAL at Work

26/03/2015
21/08/2015

22/02/2016
03/09/2015

10/04/2015

09/03/2015

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 33

RAL at Work 16/10/2015
13/10/2015
34 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 Terminated
12/02/2016
27/01/2016

RAL at Work

16/08/2016

PROJECT NO: T755A DISTRICT Waterberg
CONSULTANT
RAL PROJECT MANAGER DUDLEY MANABE CONTRACTOR Nemorango

ACTIVITY Flood damage Kamawi Projects /
Batsekgadi JV
ROADS/S D171, D1836, D1959

DESCRIPTION Repair of flood damaged infrastructure AMOUNT SPENT 3 129 472.37
in Lephalale DATE COMPLETED 02/08/2016

PROJECT NO: T703 DISTRICT Waterberg

RAL PROJECT MANAGER ELVIS KGOMESWANA CONSULATNT Leporogo Specialist
Engineers
ACTIVITY Preventative Maintenance
CONTRACTOR Nduvho Construction cc
ROADS/S D943
AMOUNT SPENT 16 794 201.82
DESCRIPTION Crecy to Tuinplaas (D943)
DATE COMPLETED 18/08/2016

Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017 35

RAL at Work

MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

20/07/2016

29/08/2016

26/07/2016
15/06/2016

26/05/2016

36 Mmileng 2nd Quarter Edition 2017

RAL’s values Efficiency Excellence

The way we conduct ourselves and We will go the extra mile in serving We strive to exceed
our business in pursuit of our vision our communities expectations
and mission is underpinned and guided
by the following corporate values: Accountability Diversity

Commitment We remain accountable to We value and embrace diversity
all our stakeholders and within the work context
We are committed to delivering the environment
quality road infrastructure in the Teamwork
province with pride Transparency
We work together for
Reliability We are transparent in both better roads
our internal and external
We offer reliable, safe and economic business processes
road infrastructure

Roads Agency Limpopo SOC Ltd
26 Rabe Street, Polokwane, 0700
Private Bag X9554, Polokwane, 0700
Tel: 015 291 4236 / 015 284 4600

Fax: 015 284 4701

www.ral.co.za

www.ral.co.za