The new infrastructures will enable uMsinga communities to easily reach important amenities such as clinics, schools, public transport facilities and shopping facilities once completed.

The construction of the biggest Tugela Ferry River Bridge on main road P6 will be a dual carriageway while the pass-one-car steel bridge (now known as Isibaya Bridge), which is a heritage site, will be used by pedestrians. A total invest of R97 million has been pumped into the construction of this state-of-the-art bridge.

Traffic will also improve because of upgrades to tar of the intersecting main roads P6 and P280, connecting uMsinga to Greytown, Dundee, Ladysmith and Pietermaritzburg as well as the national N3 route.

MEC Kaunda, accompanied by the Mayor of uMzinyathi District, Cllr. Linda Ngubane, also proceeded to launch the construction of eMahlaba Bridge, which will cost an estimated R13 million.

The bridge was requested by the community of eMahlaba in 2012 when eight (8) members of the community crime fighting organisation (IsiKebhe) were ambushed on their way to searching for their stolen live- stock.

In all the three projects, more than 1 019 job opportunities will be created for the locals, mainly women and the youth.

Addressing the people of Greater uMsinga, MEC Kaunda reiterated the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure in rural communities as part of driving economic growth and job creation.

“Today’s investment will drastically improve the socio-economic conditions of the people of uMsinga, which is one of the poorest areas in South Africa. As a province, we are also investing across various programmes including the Inkululeko Development Project, which will see the development of a new Cwaka town. The lives of the people of uMsinga will never be the same again.”

“The investment of R905 million in three projects will improve the economy of this district, which will also receive an additional R311 million in the 2016/17 financial year. The construction of Tugela Bridge will open up access and economic trade between uMzinyathi District and other strategic key points in the province. Young people and women will benefit in skills training and job opportunities through these infrastructure projects,” said Kaunda.