Joy as Madiba Dr reopens after 7 months

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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - Longtime residents Bruce Jackson and Coleen Perhat are overjoyed that Madiba Drive (MR355/Saasveld Road), that connects the Nelson Mandela University George Campus and George, has reopened. Jackson and Perhat live on the farm Woodifield opposite the university entrance.

Madiba Drive was closed in November 2021 after serious flood damage caused a massive hole, causing frustration, discomfort and delays to all regular users. People in the area had to use the much longer alternative route via Wilderness.

Though not fully complete, the road was opened on Friday 1 July.

Garden Route District Municipality said in a statement that due to the current rainy season as well as cold and wet conditions at the area of repair, the final layers of the road cannot currently be constructed and a temporary gravel surface has been laid. GRD municipal manager, Monde Stratu, warned that this section of MR355 remains a construction zone and road users should be cautious.

Construction of the final road layers will commence later this year when weather conditions are more favourable.

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Jackson on Monday told George Herald he was on his way back from George in November when he happened upon the damage. He helped to redirect traffic and was the last motorist to travel on the road.

In the past, it took him 10 to 15 minutes to drive the more or less 10km to George. After the closure, he had to make adjustments as the 40-odd-kilometre route via Wilderness took 40 tot 45 minutes.

He emphasised that university students, university personnel and service providers, as well as cyclists who liked the scenic route, were all affected.

Jackson is the CEO of Woodifield Estate Pty Limited that operates from the farm, and he said his business was also impacted by the road closure. "I am just glad that the road is open again," he said. "I was the last person to travel on the road before it was closed. On Friday I was first person on the road when it was opened."

Bruce Jackson at the entrance to the farm where he stays. It is opposite the entrance to the Nelson Mandela University George Campus.