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Buffalo City Metro Executive Mayor Princess Faku, welcomed transport stakeholders to East London on 17 October 2025 for a high-level session focused on transforming transport infrastructure across the Eastern Cape.
The event, hosted under the TRANSMEC banner, brought together government, agencies, and municipal representatives to collaborate on building a more inclusive and efficient transport system that drives economic development.
A Platform for Shared Vision
Mayor Faku officially opened the dialogue by stressing the need for united action. She described the session as more than just a routine engagement.
“This is a shared platform for government, agencies, and stakeholders to align on a common goal a more accessible and economically vibrant Eastern Cape,” she said.
She reminded attendees that transport isn’t only about roads or vehicles it’s about people. Every route connects someone to opportunity: a student to a school, a worker to a job, or an elder to a clinic.
Key Projects Underway
To illustrate progress, Mayor Faku shared updates on several active infrastructure projects:
- Valazonke Pothole Patching Programme – improving road safety and reducing public complaints.
- Gonubie Road Rehabilitation Project – already underway and set to ease congestion.
Furthermore, the Mayor announced a R78 million upgrade to Quinera Lagoon Road, in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Transport. Of this, R30 million is allocated for phase one of the construction.
Roads Needing Urgent Attention
While acknowledging the gains, Mayor Faku called for urgent upgrades to several strategic road corridors. These routes, she said, are vital for both daily commutes and economic activity:
- Voortrekker / Old King Road (R102)
- Buffalo Pass (MR00504)
- Mount Coke Road (MR00520)
- Old Gonubie Road (MR00686)
- Wild Coast Jikeleza Route (Schafli Road)
“These roads are not just routes they are economic lifelines,” she said. “Upgrading them will unlock greater potential for development.”
New Project Launch: Latimer’s Landing
Looking ahead, Mayor Faku announced the upcoming sod-turning ceremony on 21 October 2025 for the Latimer’s Landing Jetty Project. This waterfront development aims to boost tourism and breathe new life into East London’s harbour precinct.
Putting People First
Throughout her speech, the Mayor reinforced a key message: transport is about people. She urged attendees to keep the human impact at the centre of all infrastructure plans.
“Let’s ensure that no community is left behind, and that today’s dialogue translates into meaningful improvements for those we serve,” she concluded.
A Collaborative Path Forward
The dialogue continued with multi-stakeholder input and forward-looking proposals. As Buffalo City positions itself as a hub of regional growth, this event marked a pivotal step in reshaping how the province connects communities to opportunity.
