By Luyolo Sithole
The Small Town Revitalisation Project was officially launched last Saturday at High Street Circle, marking the start of a long-awaited programme aimed at upgrading key roads in Makhanda’s CBD.
Mayor Yandiswa Vara said they are happy to finally start this project, as they have been discussing it for two years. The people involved in this project include the Ward 8 councillor, who will ensure the project is completed, as well as the contractor.
Present at the launch were Rami Xonxa, the portfolio chairperson of engineering infrastructure; Councillor Zanekhaya Hoyi, chairperson of corporate services; executive mayor of Makana municipality, Yandiswa Vara; municipal manager of Makana municipality, Phumelele Kate; and Director of infrastructure, Mavuyise Chichi.
Municipal manager Phumelele Kate explained that the project consists of three separate sections designed to bring the roads to a drivable state for at least 15 years.
The first focus will be High Street Circle, where they will replace the inner lane and the circle extending to the end of the island. They will be redoing the curve, and the internal area of the circle will also be upgraded.
Then African Street which serves as access to major sporting events will be rebuilt from the ground up and will feature a grey walking pavement surface.
On Milner Street, they will address the hospital entrance because it provides emergency access, and they want people to have free-flowing emergency services. Milner Street will also get pothole repairs.
The contractor said while this is a 12-month project, they hope to complete it much earlier. The contractor emphasized that African Street should be completed before the Christmas shutdown period.
Vara explained that this is a project co-ordinated through the office of the Premier. “We’ve been talking about small town revitalization that is focusing on roads infrastructure, focusing on electricity, also traffic testing, and renewable energy,” Vara said.
Phase one extends beyond roads and includes high mast lights and extends beyond roads. It will also rebuild the traffic testing station and the traffic department.
Vara said this is the community’s project, and they should guard it with everything they have. She said she is excited about the upcoming employment opportunities this project will bring, even though they are temporary.
This project is also an upgrade to the CBD to attract investors.
