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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Residents, business owners and entrepreneurs in Thembalethu are worried about the effect the widening of the Nelson Mandela Boulevard will have on their everyday lives.
This R50-million project is funded by National Treasury and ties in with the infrastructure for the George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) project.
The widening of the road will start at the first traffic lights in the township (four ways) and end at Loxion Lounge (Truns). The planning includes a four-lane road with traffic circles.
Some houses and businesses will have to be demolished, several informal settlements have already been moved and informal street vendors will probably lose the spots where they sell their goods.
One owner, whose house will have to be completely removed since it is directly in the way of the planned expansion, is having sleepless nights. Loxion Lounge, a long-standing eatery in Thembalethu, will have to close its doors.
An unexpected visit from the George Municipality's Economic Development Manager Pedro Oliphant (left) and Project Manager Desmond Carolus (right), during an on-site visit by the George Herald. The president of the Thembalethu Business Chamber, Richard Shumi (middle), listens attentively.
Safety and business
The president of the Thembalethu Business Chamber, Richard Shumi, is especially concerned about the safety of the children walking home from nearby schools. "It will be a killer road," said Shumi. "We have primary schools on both sides. As it is, the people don't keep to the speed limits. Many motorists don't use the traffic circles correctly."
Shumi said residents don't want to see businesses closing down. "They [the municipality] are not helping, they are only worsening the situation. The lack of communication from the municipality is worrisome. The impact on the smallest businesses, like the skaapkop-sellers, will be phenomenal."
A petition was handed in at the municipality, signed by more than 60 people who will be directly affected by the project.
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Consultation process
Patrick Xalisa, a member of the Sandkraal Road Street Committee, said the municipality's consultation process was not effective. "Before you get up and call the contractor, you must first make sure that the people who stay on the road, the affected people, understand what is going to happen.
"Why don't they call the whole street and talk about the plans before they finalise the project?" He said they have plans to take the matter further if the municipality doesn't yield to their request for proper communication.
According to Municipal Spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose, the municipality is awaiting a construction permit from the Department of Labour before work can commence.
The tender was awarded to Muravha Building, contractors from Mbombela (Nelspruit). Although the terrain handover took place on Monday 3 July, they have not yet been spotted on site.
Edwards-Klose said the programme is on target, with actual construction due to commence mid-September. "The first tasks include the submission of guarantees and insurance documentation, site establishment, meetings with the community leaders, surveys and setting out the work, as well as dealing with existing services," she said.
Nobuntu Madubula (left) prepares skaapkop for her customers at an African road restaurant. With her is the president of the Thembalethu Business Chamber, Richard Shumi.
Municipal comment
According to Edwards-Klose an environmental impact assessment is not required for the project.
Her comment on the safety issue is as follows: "During construction various safety measures will be implemented, including fenced-off walkways, flag persons, road signs, movable barriers and so on.
"The finished road will include wider paved walkways, raised intersections for traffic calming, dedicated cycle lanes, improved street lighting and a paved median suitable as a refuge island as per the Universal Accessibility guidelines - as required by GIPTN conditions of grant. Except for a second lane and additional provisions made for pedestrians, this will not differ much from the current roadway, which is not adequate."
Edwards-Klose confirmed that proper consultation has taken place. "Ward committees, taxi associations and all affected parties have been consulted.
"Due to the fact that ward committees were newly appointed and funding only became official on 30 June, the project team could only visit the committees after that date.
"The relocations are still in process. No one has yet been instructed to break down a dwelling. Appointments will be done by the contractor as per the municipal procurement requirements." Edwards-Klose said a survey will be done on which structures/buildings inside the road reserve must be moved and how the municipality can assist with the process.
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ARTICLE, VIDEO AND PHOTOS: MICHELLE PIENAAR, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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