Provincial Roads
By Thabo Mosia
Over 670 kilometres of provincial roads in the Free State have been reclassified as national roads. This transition delegates the responsibility for their maintenance and upgrades to the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral). 
Announcement and Official Gazette Notice
Sanral made this announcement during its “Taking Sanral to the People” stakeholder engagement session held on 3 December 2024 in Trompsburg, located in the Xhariep District Municipality. The reclassification was formalized through a notice published in the Government Gazette on 22 November 2024 (Gazette 51639). 
Strategic Importance of the Reclassified Roads
The roads in question serve as vital links connecting rural areas, urban centres, and key economic hubs, including neighbouring Lesotho. Their integration into the national network is expected to facilitate a more cohesive, efficient, and safer transportation system, thereby supporting economic growth, job creation, and regional development. 
Sanral’s Commitment to Infrastructure Development
Dudley Mbambo, Acting Regional Manager for Sanral’s Eastern Region, emphasized the agency’s dedication to improving these critical routes. He stated, “By integrating these roads into its national network, Sanral would ensure a more cohesive, efficient, and safer transportation system that supports economic growth, job creation, and regional development.” 
Provincial Government Support
Jabu Mbalula, MEC for Community Safety, Roads, and Transport, expressed the provincial government’s full support for Sanral’s continued investment in the Free State. He remarked, “We want to make the Free State a construction site. As government, we are working on a developmental approach.” 
Economic Opportunities for Local Communities
Sanral highlighted that the reclassification would open avenues for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to provide services, alongside job creation in maintenance and upgrading projects. An emergency projects contractor is set to be appointed for six months, after which a permanent service provider will take over the incorporated roads. Mbambo noted that the multimillion-rand N6 project further demonstrates Sanral’s “commitment to giving economic development opportunities to SMMEs and the creation of employment opportunities for local community members.” 
Addressing Infrastructure Challenges
The transfer of these roads to Sanral’s management comes in response to challenges faced by the provincial government in maintaining and repairing deteriorating road infrastructure. Reports indicate that a significant portion of the Free State’s roads are in poor to very poor condition, posing dangers to motorists due to issues like potholes expanding into sinkholes. 
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