The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) is pleased to report significant progress on the ongoing construction of the Malmesbury Bypass project.
“This R640 million project is a vital 6.7km greenfield road that links the Hopefield Interchange on the N7 to the intersection of the R45 to Wellington and the R46 towards Riebeek Kasteel,” said Jandré Bakker, DOI Director: Operational Support.
“In addition to the road link, the project includes the construction of five new bridges and a grade-separated interchange at the R45/R46 intersection. These upgrades are designed to enhance safety, reduce travel times, and bolster economic activity by improving accessibility in the Swartland area. The project forms part of a larger transport infrastructure project for a freight route linking the Saldanha Bay area to the major inter-regional transport routes in the Western Cape. These upgrades are significant components of the Strategic Integrated Project 5, under the National Infrastructure Plan 2050. Construction began in May 2023 and is on track for completion towards the end of the first quarter of 2026,” Bakker continued.
Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said: “The Malmesbury Bypass demonstrates our dedication to advancing regional infrastructure and highlights our drive to promote growth and prosperity in the Swartland and beyond”.
“The main contractor in large DOI contracts such as this must report against a set of agreed to contract participation goals (CPGs). By the time it is complete, the project is expected to have created 295 work opportunities of which we have already achieved 263. A target of 43 081 person-days of work was set and we have already achieved 51 262 person-days of work. A proportion of the contract amount will be spent on targeted enterprises and materials from local companies. A target for 40 such packages was set and we already achieved 28. A proportion will also be spent on developing emerging contractors and we set a target of 15 packages which have all been achieved already,” Minister Simmers continued.
The Malmesbury Bypass project represents a significant milestone in the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure’s ongoing efforts to deliver world-class infrastructure to its residents.
“The Western Cape Government remains committed to accelerating infrastructure delivery across the province, ensuring that communities are connected, and that the region’s infrastructure can support sustained economic growth. This is our contribution to the Western Cape Government’s goal of becoming a trillion-rand economy,” Minister Simmers concluded.
Dandelion
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”
dez north
Fun South African Fact: South Africa is home to a variety of landscapes and biomes, including deserts, wetlands, bushveld, grasslands, mountains and subtropical forests.