Picture: North West DPWR, Elizabeth Mokua
By REGINALD KANYANE
17 July 2026 – The North West Department of Public Works and Roads (DPWR) and Valterra Platinum Mines have on Friday, entered into a landmark public-private partnership that will inject close to R100 million towards the upgrading of 12km of Road D105 from Ramokokastad to Brits, bringing long-awaited relief to communities in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality. The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua and the Senior General at the mine’s Amandabult Complex, Johan Van Tonder in the presence of Kgosi Manotshe Ramokoka, who represents Baphalane ba Ramokoka Traditional Council.
Mokua said under the agreement, Valterra Platinum Mines will inject R98 million into the joint upgrade for 10 kilometre stretch of Road D105, while the department will contribute towards the remaining 2km that includes construction of a bridge to improve safety and all-weather accessibility for the community. She said the department has already appointed a consulting engineering firm for the designs before construction commences.
“Vaalterra will on the other hand appoint the contractor to carry out the works. The department continues to encourage partnerships with the mining sector as part of its strategy to expand and preserve the provincial road network. This is far more than a road construction project.
“It is a partnership that restores hope to the people of Ramokokastad, Bojating and all the surrounding villages while demonstrating that sustainable infrastructure development is possible when government and business work together. I also want to add that mining remains a key driver of the provincial economy. At the same time, mining activities place considerable pressure on our road infrastructure through the movement of heavy vehicles,” she said.
Mokua further said partnerships such as this one represents a responsible and sustainable approach to ensuring that community’s benefit from improved infrastructure while supporting economic growth.
Johan Van Tonder pledged the mine’s continued commitment to ensuring the roads in the area that also benefit their employees and operations also contribute towards community development and access to social amenities. As the recipient of this grand gesture, Ramokoka pledged his and the community’s support by ensuring that the project is implemented in time and within the allocated budget by avoiding any stoppages.
“We would like to commend the department and the mining house for their consideration of their area. You could have chosen to take this project somewhere else, but you chose our villages. This gesture came as a surprise as some of us never thought we would ever see the road to Brits tarred in our lifetime,” he said.
Meanwhile, the project is expected to improve access to schools, healthcare facilities, economic opportunities and public services for the Ramokokastad community and surrounding villages, while strengthening connectivity within the Moses Kotane Local Municipality.
The Guardian 