In excess of 300 000 top-quality Makana Brick Heritage Travertine clay bricks, manufactured at the Grahamstown plant, were used in the construction of the multi-million rand Cumakala Bridge linking Stutterheim with the nearby Mlungisi Township.
In excess of 300 000 top-quality Makana Brick Heritage Travertine clay bricks, manufactured at the Grahamstown plant, were used in the construction of the multi-million rand Cumakala Bridge linking Stutterheim with the nearby Mlungisi Township.
Bricks were used in the construction not only for aesthetic reasons but also to maximise job creation in the area, said Makana Brick Managing Director Colin Meyer.
Opened last year, the Cumakala Bridge is a flagship project of the Aspire Development Agency’s small-town revitalisation programme, and cost R15 million to build.
Funds were procured from the National Treasury’s Neighbouring Development Partnership Grant.
Although Mlungisi Township is a mere 500 metres from Stutterheim itself as the crow flies, residents either had to endure a three-kilometre walk over difficult, undulating terrain, or take a taxi for the four-kilometre drive into town.
Mlungisi residents originally mooted the idea of a pedestrian walkway and consulted with Aspire officials, who took matters a step further.
What was originally planned to be a pedestrian bridge became a vehicular bridge with pedestrian walkway.
Members of the Mlungisi community see the development as a symbolic road and bridge between Stutterheim and Mlungisi, with the objective of bringing two communities closer together.
Effectively, the Cumakala Bridge halves the distance between Mlungisi and Stutterheim.
Meyer said the construction of the bridge with its brick arches was unique and used the most labour-intensive methods available.
“The project created in the region of 100 jobs for local residents,” he added.
The type of brick used in the construction was the Makana Brick’s Heritage Travertine.
“Makana Brick is particularly proud of this project, having played a major role from start to finish,” said Meyer. “The finished product is really pleasing to the eye.”
