Pictured- MEC Vass with Executive Mayors of Namakwa District Municipality, Clr. Alinda Beukes during the sod turning ceremony.
The Northern Cape MEC for Roads and Public Works, Mr Bentley Vass, has officially launched the R178.9 million Vioolsdrift–Rooiwal Road upgrading project in the Namakwa District, marking another milestone in the Provincial Government’s ongoing programme to improve road infrastructure and strengthen connectivity between communities.
The official sod-turning ceremony, held on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, was attended by more than 100 community members, alongside the Executive Mayors of the Namakhoi Local Municipality and Namakwa District Municipality, the Speaker, departmental officials and other stakeholders.
The project entails the upgrading of a 10-kilometre section of the Vioolsdrift–Rooiwal Road (DR3252), including road layerworks, a nano-stabilised base, double-seal surface treatment, stormwater drainage infrastructure, road markings and signage.
The R178.9 million investment gives practical expression to a commitment made by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, in 2024, to upgrade the road in response to concerns raised by communities regarding road infrastructure and accessibility.
Speaking during the ceremony, MEC Vass reaffirmed the Provincial Government’s commitment to listening to communities and ensuring that promises made to the people are translated into tangible service delivery interventions.
He emphasised that infrastructure development must go beyond the physical construction of roads and contribute meaningfully to improving the socioeconomic conditions of communities.
During the ceremony, MEC Vass officially turned the sod and introduced the appointed contractor to the community, underscoring the importance of transparency, accountability, quality workmanship and meaningful local participation throughout the implementation of the project.
LOCAL ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND JOB CREATION
The project is also expected to create economic opportunities for local communities through employment and subcontracting.
In this regard, the project provides for a targeted 8% local labour component, including labour employed through subcontractors, and a 30% subcontracting component of the qualifying contract value, inclusive of the targeted local labour provision.
These commitments are intended to promote local economic participation and create opportunities for emerging contractors, local businesses and workers, particularly young people and women.
MEC Vass emphasised the need to ensure that communities are not merely spectators while infrastructure development takes place in their areas, but become active participants and beneficiaries of government investment.
He further called on the appointed contractor to adhere to contractual obligations, maintain high construction standards and foster constructive working relationships with affected communities.
STRENGTHENING ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE NORTHERN CAPE
The Vioolsdrift–Rooiwal Road project forms part of the Department’s broader efforts to rehabilitate, maintain and upgrade the provincial road network.
As South Africa’s largest province geographically, the Northern Cape faces significant infrastructure maintenance challenges due to its extensive road network, vast distances between communities and the impact of adverse weather conditions.
The Department remains committed to addressing these challenges through targeted infrastructure investments, routine maintenance programmes and the strengthening of its internal road maintenance capacity.
‘The official launch of the Vioolsdrift–Rooiwal Road project represents another step towards improving mobility, enhancing road safety and supporting economic activities in the Namakwa District,” said Vass.
MEC Vass said the Department will continue to monitor the implementation of the project to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, responsible expenditure of public funds and the delivery of quality road infrastructure that serves communities for years to come.
