Kimberley
Northern Cape Premier, Zamani Saul, together with the MEC for Roads and Public Works, Ms Fufe Makatong, today led a major service delivery intervention in the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, marked by the official launch of the Operation Vala Zonke Pothole Patching and Road Maintenance Program, the unveiling of the Province’s R98 million Yellow Fleet, and the rollout of an intensified cleaning and beautification campaign across Kimberley and Galeshewe.
The Premier and MEC were joined by the Executive Mayor of the Frances Baard District Municipality, Wende Marekwa, and the Executive Mayor of Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, Martha Bartlett, as government demonstrated its commitment to restoring infrastructure, improving service delivery and rebuilding public confidence in local government.
The program commenced in Long Street, Kimberley, where the leadership officially unveiled the new Yellow Fleet machinery and witnessed the first phase of pothole patching operations. Long Street was selected as the launch site due to its strategic economic importance, high traffic volumes and visible deterioration of road infrastructure.
The delegation then proceeded to Galeshewe, where additional pothole patching teams were already hard at work repairing roads and restoring critical transport routes. The day concluded at the Kimberley Taxi Rank, where government launched a large-scale cleaning and beautification initiative aimed at creating a cleaner, safer and more welcoming urban environment for residents, commuters and visitors.
The intervention forms part of a coordinated partnership between the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works, Sol Plaatje Local Municipality and the Office of the Premier under the broader Operation Vala Zonke and Rooting Out the Dust programs. Government’s intervention follows growing public concerns regarding deteriorating road conditions, storm-water damage and maintenance backlogs, with municipal records reflecting more than 650 pothole and road-related service complaints. The R26.8 million program represents a significant investment in restoring municipal road infrastructure and improving service delivery across all 33 wards of Sol Plaatje Municipality.
The road maintenance and pothole patching program will be implemented over the next three months and will cover all 33 wards of Sol Plaatje Municipality. The intervention aims to repair approximately 18,500 square metres of road surface, improve road safety, enhance mobility, reduce vehicle damage and preserve critical municipal infrastructure. Teams deployed include municipal road maintenance crews, EPWP beneficiaries, Jet-Patcher units, asphalt repair teams and road reserve maintenance teams working simultaneously across the municipality.
In addition to road repairs, the program includes grass cutting, bush clearing, storm-water drain cleaning, illegal dumping removal, traffic island maintenance, sidewalk cleaning and general environmental beautification. While the pothole patching program is expected to run for three months, the cleaning and beautification campaign will continue as an ongoing initiative to ensure that public spaces remain clean, safe and attractive.
Speaking during the launch, Premier Saul described the intervention as a practical demonstration of government’s commitment to responsive service delivery and cooperative governance.
“This program is about restoring dignity to our communities and rebuilding critical infrastructure. Through this intervention, we are laying the foundation for a cleaner, safer and more functional city. Our objective is to restore Sol Plaatje Municipality into a modern city that reflects the aspirations of its people and supports economic growth and investment,” Premier said.
Premier Saul further emphasized that the intervention demonstrates what can be achieved when all spheres of government work together to address service delivery challenges facing communities.
MEC Makatong said the program reflects government’s determination to provide practical solutions to the concerns raised by residents.
“This is not a contractor-driven program. It is a government-led intervention utilizing municipal and provincial resources to deliver visible results. Through the deployment of our Yellow Fleet machinery and skilled road maintenance teams, we are strengthening government’s internal capacity to maintain roads, respond faster to infrastructure challenges and improve service delivery.”
The MEC highlighted that the newly unveiled R98 million Yellow Fleet will significantly enhance government’s ability to maintain both municipal and provincial road infrastructure while reducing reliance on outsourced services. The fleet includes graders, tipper trucks, water tankers, front-end loaders, TLBs, excavators and other critical machinery required to maintain the province’s extensive road network.
The Sol Plaatje intervention builds on similar successful collaborations already implemented in Siyancuma, Dawid Kruiper, Phokwane, Ga-Segonyana and other municipalities across the Northern Cape. Government intends to continue rolling out similar programs throughout the province as part of its commitment to improving infrastructure, creating work opportunities and enhancing the quality of life of residents.
As the program unfolds over the coming months, residents can expect to see visible improvements to roads, cleaner public spaces and a stronger government presence in communities, reaffirming the Provincial Government’s commitment to building a capable, responsive and developmental state.
