A R100 million project to tar the gravel road linking Gonubie’s Main Road and Mzamomhle in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality got underway with a sod-turning event earlier this month.
The project includes the upgrade of approximately 4 km of gravel road from the Gonubie Main Road to Mzamomhle and down to Quenera Lagoon. The works further include concrete pedestrian sidewalks, street lighting and stormwater infrastructure.
According to a Buffalo City social media post, Phase one will see 20 local workers benefitting, which will increase during the implementation of the project when it moves to Phase two. SMMEs will be responsible for completing kerbing, sidewalks, etc.
The municipality says Phase one of the project is expected to be completed by March 2026, with Phase two commencing immediately thereafter.
The first sod for the Quenera Lagoon Access Road was officially turned by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality executive mayor, Princess Faku and the provincial MEC for transport Xolile Nqatha on 12 May 2025.
At the event, Faku thanked the Department of Transport in the Eastern Cape for its collaboration, saying, “MEC this is a project our motorists and community at large has been waiting for.”
“We have been under pressure from them to complete this road and after your intervention, we can assure the people that things will go smoothly for Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality to finish this road,” she said.
Nqatha said the project is testament that when provincial and local government collaborate, it improves people’s lives.
“I encourage community members and leaders from both wards to work together in ensuring that nothing halts the progress of this project,” he said.
“We ask that the employment process and the SMME selection process be fair, reflecting unity in both wards 27 and ward 28,” he added.
In closing, Nqatha said once Phase two of the project is completed, it will be officially handed over to the municipality to be maintained.
