{"id":113704,"date":"2018-04-25T14:53:17","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T12:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/n2-wild-coast-road-legacy-project-empowers-local-women-and-communities\/"},"modified":"2018-04-25T14:53:17","modified_gmt":"2018-04-25T12:53:17","slug":"n2-wild-coast-road-legacy-project-empowers-local-women-and-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/n2-wild-coast-road-legacy-project-empowers-local-women-and-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"N2 Wild Coast Road legacy project empowers local women and communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

N2 Wild Coast Road legacy project empowers local women and communities<\/a>: <\/p>\n

N2 Wild Coast Road legacy project empowers local women and communities<\/p>\n

Eastern Cape, 24 April 2018: Twelve women from the communities of Mtentu and Lusikisiki (OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo Districts), recently completed a training programme that has provided them with the skills needed to sew overalls for contractors and labourers working on the Mtentu Bridge construction project, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) announced today.<\/p>\n

The group of trainees comprised five females and one male from Mtentu in the North Bank of the bridge as well as seven females and one male from Lusikisiki in the South Bank.<\/p>\n

The group will undergo further training through a business skills programme that will take place in early June.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe plan is to set the group up into two cooperatives that will be tasked with branding protective equipment as well as sewing overalls for the contractors and Mtentu Bridge project labourers,\u201d Contractor Training Executive, Mr. Robert Simelane of Aveng Grinaker-LTA, the main contractors for the construction of the bridge said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are currently setting up the site with equipment, which should be done by August. Leading up to that, we aim to deliver a training programme on business skills as we want this group to be self-sufficient when the Mtentu Bridge project concludes. Subsequent to this, they will go on site and start with the work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Iphulo Lamampondokazi Primary Cooperative, a local cooperative comprised of three beadwork trainers and two sewing trainers, was subcontracted by Aveng Grinaker-LTA to deliver the training programme.<\/p>\n

Lead trainer Buyiswa Mdontso (Sis B) said that the group was quick to learn.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor some, it was their first interaction with a sewing machine. The training covered tracksuit and overalls sewing techniques. Such training will present the trainees an opportunity to generate additional income through sewing tracksuits for local schools,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

SANRAL Southern Region Community Development Specialist, Dr. Mongezi Noah said the trainees were selected by the Project Liaison Committee because of their reputation for quality work.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe community was consulted and agreed that these are the type of people they could send for training. These individuals are not working and the only thing that helps them put food on the table is sewing. But living in rural areas where people seldom use their services makes them suffer even more,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe intention is for them to continue with the skill, thus expanding it to tourism by supplying traditional garments and many other things that would provide stock for an envisaged tourist centre at the bridge. Not forgetting to mention that they will create more job opportunities for the AmaMpondo community,\u201d added Dr. Noah.<\/p>\n

Nompumelelo Nokoni, one of the female trainees said she developed an interest in the programme as it would contribute towards her independence as a woman to provide for herself and her family. \u201cThrough this programme I gained a lot of knowledge and experience because I did not even know how to operate a sewing machine before and now I can operate it with ease,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on how she plans to utilise her new skill beyond the Mtentu Bridge construction project, Nombuyiselo Phiwayo said:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe aim is to do good in this project and impress SANRAL to hire us as permanent employees so that I can take care of myself and family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sibongiseni Ntsema, a local well known for his work, was selected to ensure that people living with disabilities also benefit from the project. Ntsema is wheelchair bound.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the past I could only sew traditional clothing so I now have an added skill. They have also promised to get me an arm roller sewing machine to make things easier for me when we get started with the work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Mtentu Bridge project forms part of the greenfields portion of the South African National Roads Agency SOC (Ltd) (SANRAL\u2019s) N2 Wild Coast Road project which extends over a distance of 560km from the Gonubie Interchange in East London, to the Isipingo Interchange south of Durban, set to save road users up to 3 hours travelling time upon completion.<\/p>\n

To date, approximately R4 million has been spent on local sub-contractors, SMMEs and local suppliers in the Mtentu Bridge construction project, a considerable contribution to the local economy and job creation.<\/p>\n

At the end of the 40-month construction period, the 1,1 km long Mtentu Bridge will break records as the highest bridge in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere at 223m high.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/strong> MyPR<\/a><\/small>
\n<\/p>\n

Submit your own Press Release<\/a> or get free content for your publication.<\/p>\n

Video – How to post your Press Release on MyPR:<\/strong>
\n