It is all systems go for the roads construction in Gugulethu after years of uncertainty.
Last week, the City of Cape Town announced that the work to fix incomplete and damaged roads in and around Gugulethu will resume, putting to an end months of misery for homeowners and motorists in the area. Work is expected to begin on Albert Luthuli and Umthetho streets soon.
According to the City, all the operations in Gugulethu were halted following some community related unrest.
The City’s Mayco member for Transport Rob Quintas said the work is scheduled to take three months until April, pending unforeseen delays and inclement weather.
The work entails:
• the construction of 1,5m wide asphalt sidewalks on both sides of the road, and asphalt driveways
• the construction of an exposed aggregate brick paved footway from the sidewalk to the erf boundaries
• along Umthetho Street the two sidewalks will cover a distance of 165m each
• along Albert Luthuli Street the two sidewalks will cover a distance of 175m each
• the total length of the sidewalks and footways amounts to 680m
“I am pleased to see the continuation of this project as that speaks to our commitment to deliver basic services to our residents. Once completed, our residents will enjoy the safety of the sidewalks and footways. These will also help to improve the general look and feel of the area which will add to a sense of pride and place. I also want to plead with the local community to support this project so that there are no further delays or stoppages or interference with those working on site. We are eager to deliver services to communities,” said Quintas.
Residents have welcomed the move. They said the project has been long overdue.
Resident Nokuzola Makosana from Albert Luthuli Street said they are disappointed by the City’s conduct with regards to the construction of the street. She blamed the City for taking too long to complete the work.
Mkosana complained that their belongings were damaged by the water that was coming from the street into their houses during the rain.
“We had to make means to divert water not coming into our houses. We struggled a lot during winter rains,” said Makosana adding that the street has potholes.
Wandile Mpinda, who resides at Umthetho Street, described the reconstruction of the street as a great initiative. He said it will create job opportunities for the youth.
“It’s been a while since we had a tarred road. Even motorists will be happy with the good news because their cars were at risk,” said Mpinda.
He lambasted community leaders accusing them of keeping the community in the dark about the project.
“I don’t know why the construction stopped in the first place. Our community leaders failed to do little things just to inform the community properly,” said Mpinda.
