By Nangamso Mabindla
15 February 2005

CONSTRUCTION of the first phase of a R4-million project to refurbish the Mdantsane Highway Rank is under way.

The project is part of the Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme, a R1-billion plan to change the face of the impoverished township by supplying water and electricity to those not on the supply grids, by upgrading old or obsolete pipe and cabling systems, and by improving the township's roads and transport infrastructure.

Zamile Blaai of Guza Building Construction said the project, which started in February, had five phases, each of which was expected to take five weeks to complete.

So far the contractors had removed the paving stones, which it would replace with thick concrete. "The cement will be 95 percent thick to ensure that it is more durable than the paving stones used previously. We want to make sure that we do a quality job for the benefit of the people using the rank," said Blaai.

Blaai is a local contractor, born in Mdantsane. "I'm happy to see the municipality using locals to do the job - we know the place better than anyone. It also makes us take ownership of the project."

However, it is not only contractors who have benefited; residents have too. For the first phase, 13 local residents were employed, with more jobs expected to be created when the remaining four phases kick off.

Nkululeko Soka, one of the beneficiaries, said he was pleased to be employed at the project. "I'm happy to be part of this initiative to change the face of our beloved Mdantsane."

It is expected that the refurbishment of the rank will be completed by July.