Twenty young construction apprentices are thriving in an experiential learning programme aligned with a R1.2-billion road rehabilitation project in the Eastern Cape.
In addition to drawing an income, these learners are gaining vital experience in various aspects of road construction as the South African National Road Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) continues its work on stretches of the N2 from KwaBhaca (Mount Frere) to the Ngcweleni River Bridge near eMaxesibeni (Mount Ayliff)
Some are presently working as material testers or learning the finer points of quarry crushing while others are assisting contractors on the project.
The first phase of the mega project involves rehabilitation of N2 Section 20 from 0.0km to 39.4km from Mount Frere to Ngcweleni River. Repairs to bridges that have far exceeded their design life is an integral part of this phase.
The apprentices joined the programme between six months and a year ago.
Project manager, Siphesihle Bulose, explained that those without P1 and P2 qualifications, TVET college students whose coursework required integrated learning, or anyone looking to further their road construction experience, could apply for the programme.
“I am impressed by what I have seen so far,” said Bulose, who rose quickly through the ranks thanks to a SANRAL bursary and its Technical Excellence Academy programme.
One of those making the most of her opportunity to work on the project is 34-year-old Yamkela Jojo, an eMaxesibeni local.
After graduating with a national diploma in civil engineering from Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in 2015, she only managed to gain short-term work on smaller projects. An 11-month stint with the Department of Public Works was among the longest of her contracts.
Since September last year, however, she has been working in the lab testing materials with the potential to be used in the project.
“It’s very interesting work. The whole project actually depends on lab tests,” she said.
“There are different aspects in the lab – including soils, asphalt and concrete. I’m in the compaction division which falls under ‘soils. We are required to test materials for contractors to make sure they are suitable,” Jojo explained.
The programme also allows the apprentices to explore other areas of road construction. Should Jojo wish, she could request to work alongside a contractor to learn that side of the industry.
She thanked SANRAL for a “great, great” project. “There are so few jobs in South Africa and this is such a great opportunity to gain experience. I believe it will open doors for me,” the mother of one said.
Another working mother, Amanda Ndisile, joined the programme a year ago after applying to Bulose.
The 28-year-old from Bizana had been without work since graduating with a national civil engineering diploma from Walter Sisulu University in 2021, but her fortunes took a dramatic turn for the better when she came on board in March last year.
Her role on the project carries a lot of responsibility, as she is tasked with ensuring subcontractors perform their duties on time and according to specifications.
She settled in immediately thanks to the experience she gained working on a routine road maintenance project while still a student.
“I was over the moon [when accepted into the programme]. It was almost two years without getting anything and I have two children – aged 10 and 11 – I need to support,” she said.
She now views roads in a completely different light thanks to the knowledge she has acquired about construction and what makes a project successful.
Ndisile hailed Bulose as a project manager who cared deeply about those he worked with, even if he did not know them well.
“It is not easy to find people like Siphe. It is blessing working on this project,” she said.
For her colleague, Indiphile Montoro, who holds an advanced diploma in construction management from Nelson Mandela University, one of the best aspects of the project is being able to put his skills into practice.
His tasks include writing daily reports on site measurements and construction materials.
The 28-year-old from Ntabankulu in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality enjoys the fact that he is playing a role in improving a stretch of the N2 that was “not of the standard found in other provinces”.
He said, “What we are doing will help in terms of transportation and livestock [crossing the highway]. There have been no fences here.”
