BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE Rustenburg local municipality continues to ensure that it makes efforts to fulfill their objective of becoming an infrastructure led economy Africa city. The municipality mayor, Mpho Khunou said that they were full-steamed ahead with its flagship programme during the Ramochana Bridge unveiling last week Tuesday.

“Infrastructure development is one of our key job drivers together with tourism, manufacturing, mining and beneficiation, the green and blue economies and agriculture. This represents an exciting journey for the municipality as we reached new frontiers in efforts to rally communities that we serve in seizing the unlimited growth opportunities that come with safe, reliable, affordable, comfortable public transport system.” Khunou said.

In line with the spirit of encouraging public transport usage, he said: “Without a flicker of doubt, I say, together we have turned the corner. We are changing course and making great strides towards fulfilling our vision of ushering in a world-class city where all citizens live a high quality of life.

“The bridges are among the most powerful and important symbols in human society. They are symbols of two-way communication, economic empowerment, connection, cooperation and most importantly the promotion of harmony. As we inaugurate the iconic Ramochana Bridge, we are fulfilling the people’s mandate and aspirations of a better life for all.” he said.

Khunou said that the unveiling of the new bridge was part of service delivery by the Rustenburg Rapid Transport project along the R510. He said that also symbolised the municipality’s common determination to help open up the city to new development and improved prosperity.

According to Khunou, since January to August this year, there have been an alarming 3,670 road traffic accidents on the city’s roads. He said in particular the highest number of accidents in Rustenburg was in March this year.

“We have recorded 512 accidents where some resulted in the loss of life. In previous years we as a municipality had been inundated with complaints from residents. We listened to the people, now we also gone beyond their requests. We have built a new interchange with a bridge over the railway line. The municipality hope that with the commissioning of the Ramochana Bridge, the challenges of accidents will be addressed. We will continue to monitor the area to evaluate the impact that this bridge brings to the quality of life of our community members,” Khunou said.

Khunou said the municipality and government, through National grants, has also embarked on other major infrastructure development initiatives to improve the road networks of the city of Rustenburg. He said key amongst these was the major upgrade currently taking place on the R24 through SANRAL.

“This is a dual carriage road way to improve access into the city and major intersections such as the N4, D108 for ease of traffic, improve road safety and facilitate freight access into the mines. The road is also aimed at attracting investment through the Rustenburg- Mogale City Development Corridor, an initiative between the Gauteng and North West Provincial Government as well as the Rustenburg and Mogale City local municipalities.”