Pretoria - The Department of Public Works has set aside around R210 million to fix the country's potholes, build low bridges and maintain garden services.
Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon following a meeting with all nine provincial MECs.
Addressing the media, the minister explained that work on the three projects, which are necessary following the recent floods in the country that have left certain roads impassable and washed away bridges, will begin next month.
A high-tech process will be used to ensure that the potholes are permanently fixed. "There are some areas in South Africa that are not accessible because of the bad state of the roads," the minister said, adding that they will also make sure that children are able to go to school.
R150 million has been allocated to fix the potholes, and R30 million will go towards building 10 bridges in each of these provinces: Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West. The rest will go towards garden maintenance.
According to the minister, the money allocated for the projects could increase depending on the contributions the provinces will make.
Mahlangu-Nkabinde said contractors will be encouraged to employ local people, especially the youth who are unemployed. The three projects are set to create more than 600 000 job opportunities throughout the country.
Young people who will be employed will be earning about R60 per day, while they will also get experience.
Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu also emphasised the need to employ and train young people.
"People should be trained in the build industry so they can acquire the necessary skills," she said.
