Mmileng 3/2022

MMILENG
Welcome to Our Road Network
ISSUE 3 OF 2022
NEWLY
UPGRADED
ROAD
to link 10 Sekhukhune
villages to essential
socio – economic
development services
MEC
CALLS FOR
maximum spending
on funds allocated
for roads
What the
LIMPOPO
BEAUTY
QUEEN
says about the
work of RAL
New recruits
to boost service
delivery capacity
WE CONNECT LIMPOPO
Planning is
key to RAL’s
roads mandate
93 provincial road
maintenance
projects prioritised

OUR MISSION
To provide quality and sustainable
provincial road infrastructure network
for the economic development of
Limpopo Province.
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roadsagencylimpopo RoadsAgency roadsagencylimpopo Roads Agency Limpopo

CONTENTS
Issue 3 of 2022
10 24
6
12
Note from the Editor
2 Mmileng crew presents to you
a parting gift for the year
From the CEO’s Desk
4 No roads, no tourism, mining
and agriculture
Lead story
6 Newly upgraded road to link 10
Sekhukhune villages to essential
socio – economic development
services
Board matters:
10 “We cannot afford returning any
cent to National Treasury when
our people need roads”- MEC
Rakgoale
COVER STAR
This edition’s cover star is
Miss South Africa 2022,
Ndavi Nokeri
Big Interview
12 At the forefront of RAL’s road
project management and quality
assurance success
Shareholder Engagement
16 Rehabilitation of road D1909
to aid tourism
18 93 provincial road maintenance
projects across the five Limpopo
districts prioritised
Stakeholder Engagement
21 Mintirho Ya Vulavula
SMME Empowerment
22 29 SMMEs benefit from the
construction of D4370 in
Sekhukhune District
16
Personality
24 Limpopo’s beauty queen stuns
South Africa
Inside RAL
28 Planning and ethical
professionalism key to RAL’s
road infrastructure service
delivery
30 RAL recruits experts to boost
road infrastructure service
delivery
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022 1

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
A PARTING GIFT
FOR THE YEAR 2022
Welcome to yet another edition of your
favourite read, Mmileng. This comes to
you, our most valued stakeholders, a few
days before the 2022 Christmas and
subsequently 2023 new year. What a year it has been!
As Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL), we have adopted an
integrated communications approach which has helped us
to effectively communicate with you, our stakeholders, in a
manner that resonates with your needs. We clearly can
deduce this from the positive feedback we continue to
receive through our various communication platforms. Our
messaging approach is tailor-made depending on the
platform used. Thank you for working together with us.
Mmileng, the quarterly publication for the Agency is one
of the myriad channels we use to update you on our
successes, challenges and even seek your advice. The
publication has over the years, been one platform used by
the entity to cover in-depth, the work of RAL throughout
Limpopo.
The lead story in this edition, is about real change to the
people of the Sekhukhune District, regarding the completion
of road D4370 connecting 10 villages to the town of Marble
Hall, schools, and health facilities. Read full story on page 6.
While building quality road infrastructure to enable
Limpopo’s economic growth, particularly in the tourism,
mining and agricultural sectors, we also afford new entrants
into the business space, opportunities through empowerment
of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) policy of
government. Read more on how a 34-year-old Kamogelo
“MMILENG, THE QUARTERLY
PUBLICATION FOR THE AGENCY IS
ONE OF THE MYRIAD CHANNELS WE
USE TO UPDATE YOU ON OUR
SUCCESSES, CHALLENGES AND EVEN
SEEK YOUR ADVICE. THE PUBLICATION
HAS OVER THE YEARS, BEEN ONE PLATFORM
USED BY THE ENTITY TO COVER IN-DEPTH,
THE WORK OF RAL THROUGHOUT LIMPOPO.”
Dr Maropeng Manyathela
RAL Head of Communications
Mogadima’s small business was able to move from grade 1
to 5 subsequent to being sub-contracted as part of the 29
SMMEs that rendered services during the construction of
road D4370. What a true story of real change!
RAL has recently prioritised over 90 maintenance projects
across the province. Maintenance of our roads remains one
of the biggest challenges due to shortage of funding and
rain. Our Shareholder Representative, the Honourable MEC
of the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and
Infrastructure, Mme Nkakareng Rakgoale has been in
the forefront leading the SOD turning ceremonies to
launch some of these projects. Story on page 18.
Lastly, the Tzaneen born beauty queen, Ms Ndavi
Nokeri who was recently crowned Miss SA 2022 is
our personality feature. Through her story, we see
how the power of self-affirmation can manifest itself
in real and ultimate success. Well done to the Queen!
Her views about the work done by Roads Agency
Limpopo are heartwarming. It is encouraging for us to
have the Limpopo born celebrities such as her
appreciating the good work done by the hard-working
men and women of RAL. Read the full story on page 24.
It is a promise from me, the editor of Mmileng that
having read the entire publication, one is bound to
understand in-depth, how impactful the work done by
RAL is, for the ordinary people of Limpopo.
Together for better roads.
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Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022
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We Connect Limpopo...
Today, Limpopo boasts a good road infrastructure network,
making transportation of people and goods reliable
thereby opening access to the rest of Africa.
RAL making it all happen…
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FROM THE CEO’s DESK
NO ROADS,
NO TOURISM,
MINING AND
AGRICULTURE
Roads Agency Limpopo remains one of the critical
enablers of the development of Limpopo
Province’s economy. Without roads, no tourism,
mining, and agriculture will be enhanced to
support the growth of the economy.
Not only will quality roads support the growth of the
economy, it is also through an enabled economy that
communities will be able to get more employment
opportunities.
Communities remain at the centre of our planning and
implementation cycle. Without the involvement of
communities, the Agency will fail to execute and achieve
optimal results as directed by its founding Act. We, therefore,
are working closely with municipalities and communities to
ensure that the road infrastructure service delivery is not
only efficient, but effective.
Calls for new roads by communities continue to intensify
amid the Agency’s budget constraints. Whilst we receive
most of our funding from the provincial government, we
continue to explore other means of funding to augment the
delivery of road infrastructure services. Through the
adoption of the strategic partnership approach, we are
hopeful that our efforts will continue to bear fruits. We have
over the years collaborated with various companies to carry
out some maintenance and upgrading projects that
strategically support their business operations.
We will continue to invest efforts and resources to solicit
strategic partnerships that would in turn
improve the socio-economic livelihoods of
communities. We further understand that good
corporate governance is essential to ensure
value for the use of public funds. Our goal in
attaining a clean audit also remains top priority.
In the past few months, RAL has strengthened
its efforts in maintaining some of the provincial
roads that needed attention. We believe the
focus on maintenance will assist in preserving
the existing road infrastructure. Natural
disasters such as rain which negatively affect
our roads, continue to impact negatively on our
work. In the past years, RAL lost a number of
roads due to floods and heavy rain. It is these
natural occurrences that set us back, given the funding
challenges.
We remain resolute in building road infrastructure that
serves as an enabler of the province’s key strategic economic
pillars, agriculture, tourism, and mining sectors.
MR GABRIEL MALULEKE
RAL Chief Executive Officer
As we prepare ourselves to spend well deserved holidays
with our families, I want to urge all the road users to be vigilant
this festive and beyond. The loss of lives on the roads continue
to be worrisome and require me and you to join hands. Let us
do our part in ensuring that our roads are safe.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere
gratitude to the Chairperson of the Board, Mr Matome
Ralebipi and our political pricipal, Honourable MEC of
the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and
“WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO OUR BEST IN
EXECUTING OUR MANDATE. WE REMAIN
RESOLUTE IN BUILDING ROAD
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SERVES AS AN
ENABLER OF THE PROVINCE’S KEY STRATEGIC
ECONOMIC PILLARS, AGRICULTURE, TOURISM,
AND MINING SECTORS.”
Infrastructure, Mme Nkakareng Rakgoale for their continued
support. The same gratitude goes to our beloved and hardworking
staff who continue to do their best in serving the
province. Thank and enjoy your holidays….
Together for better roads.
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RAL’s
main functions and responsibilities
are to plan, design, construct,
manage, control and maintain all
provincial roads for the Limpopo
Province.
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roadsagencylimpopo RoadsAgency roadsagencylimpopo Roads Agency Limpopo

RAL at Work
The newly upgraded road enhances the movement
of goods and people, thereby improving village
economy of the district.
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RAL at Work
NEWLY
UPGRADED ROAD
TO LINK 10 SEKHUKHUNE VILLAGES
TO ESSENTIAL SOCIO – ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022 7

RAL at Work
More than 9 villages will now travel smoothly on
a tarred road to access various economic
development services such as schools, health
care facilities and Marble Hall town.
Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL), has recently completed an
upgrade of 22.5km of road D4370, from Tompi Seleka to
Phokwane in the Sekhukhune District. RAL is responsible for more
than 20 000km of Limpopo’s provincial road network.
“SEVERAL BUSINESSES ARE OPERATING ADJACENT
TO THE NEW ROAD INCLUDING A NEW BRICK
COMPANY SITUATED AT DISENYANE, WHICH
BENEFIT MATHUKUTHELA AND PHOKWANE
COMMUNITIES, AMONG OTHERS. THE COMMUNITY
HAS ALSO SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE PURCHASE OF
NEW STANDS IN THE AREA AS A RESULT OF THE ROAD.”
Community members have expressed their appreciation to RAL
for the road as it has reduced a number of travelling challenges,
which they previously experienced. The community has also hailed
the project for the employment opportunities it availed to them
during its implementation phase, which took 48 months. See the
Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), empowerment
article on page 22.
According to Mr Tshebane Nkoana, Ward 13 Councillor in the
Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality,
RAL’s decision to heed their plea for a
new road upgrade, has set their ward up
for potential economic growth. “Several
businesses are operating adjacent to
the new road including a new brick
company situated at Disenyane, which
benefit Mathukuthela and Phokwane
communities, among others. The
community has also seen an increase in
the purchase of new stands in the area as
a result of the road,” said the councilor.
Nkoana further pleaded with the
community to take care of the road by
addressing problems related to the road
Fully furnished road with road markings and signs ensures the safety of motorists and pedestrians.
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RAL at Work
Road D4370 remains the pride and joy of stakeholders
that oversaw its successful completion.
Ms Mary Maphanga, Community Liaison Officer of the project,
appreciates the benefits associated with the project which included
hiring of 73 community members to sustain their livelihoods.
Mr Tshebane Nkoana, Ward 13 Councillor in the Ephraim Mogale
Local Municipality says the road is the legacy for the ten benefiting
communities, as such they will preserve it for the future generations.
in a civilised manner without damaging it.
Sharing Nkoana’s sentiments was the Community Liaison
Officer (CLO) of the project, Ms Mary Maphanga and Morongoa
Manamela, an Educator at Kgopolo e botse Primary School.
“Before the construction of this new road, everything was far
from us, and we suffered extensively that some women had to give
birth alongside the road due to a lack of available transport,” said a
cheerful Maphanga.
“In instances where there was heavy rainfall, our children could
not go to school because of the mud,” commented Manamela.
According to Mr Brutus Matsha, the RAL Project Manager,
this is one of RAL’s most successful projects where work
was executed peacefully with the assistance of community
members.
The completion of the road enhanced access to Mokgoma
Primary School, Mokgerethe Secondary School, Phokwane Police
Station, and Phokwane Education Circuit Office including the
Tompi Seleka College of Agriculture, and Matlala Hospital.
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BOARD Matters
MEC for LDPWRI, Mme Nkakareng
Rakgoale calls for collaboration between
the RAL Board and her department
to avoid returning unspent funds to the
National Treasury.
“WE CANNOT AFFORD
RETURNING ANY CENT TO NATIONAL TREASURY
WHEN OUR PEOPLE NEED THE ROADS”
During the 2022 Strategic Planning Session for
the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL), the
Honourable MEC of the Limpopo Department of
Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure
(LDPWRI), Mme Nkakareng Rakgoale urged the Board of
Directors to strengthen its operations and controls with the
view to build and maintain more roads with the available
allocated budget.
“It is important that all the funds allocated to RAL are
fully and properly spent to change the lives of the people
of Limpopo,” said the Honourable MEC of LDPWRI, and
Shareholder Representative responsible for RAL, Mme
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BOARD Matters
Nkakareng Rakgoale.
In her keynote address, the Honourable MEC strongly
urged the Board and Management of RAL to ensure that no
funds allocated to build roads are returned to National
Treasury as a result of non-capacity to spend.
“We cannot afford returning any cent to National Treasury
when our people need the roads. We have the responsibility
the road infrastructure in Limpopo.
RAL is responsible for over 20 000km of Limpopo
provincial road network, most of which still require upgrading
from gravel to tar.
In sharing the Honourable MEC’s views, the Chairperson
of RAL’s Board, Mr Matome Ralebipi, undertook to resolve
all the concerns raised by the MEC. “One of the things that
LEFT: Chairperson of the Board, Mr Matome Ralebipi, urges RAL Management to fill vacant strategic positions urgently, to ensure the
Agency’s optimal use of allocated resources.
RIGHT: RAL CEO, Mr Gabriel Maluleke, giving an overview of the previous year’s performance.
to provide services. One of the areas that concerns me is
the slow implementation of projects. Failure to spend all the
allocated budget deprives the people of Limpopo much
needed service delivery. Let us therefore continue to do
what we are put in office to do,” she said.
The MEC further commended the Agency for continuing
in its work to empower local SMMEs and labourers through
“WE CANNOT AFFORD RETURNING ANY CENT TO
NATIONAL TREASURY WHEN OUR PEOPLE NEED
THE ROADS. WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO
PROVIDE SERVICE. ONE OF THE AREAS THAT
CONCERNS ME IS THE SLOW IMPLEMENTATION OF
PROJECTS. FAILURE TO SPEND ALL THE ALLOCATED
BUDGET DEPRIVES THE PEOPLE OF LIMPOPO MUCH
NEEDED SERVICE DELIVERY.”
needs to be addressed urgently is to strengthen strategic
and operational areas where there are visible weaknesses.
It is important to capacitate the organisation in order to
enhance the value chain. I want all the vacant positions filled
as soon as possible,” he commented.
Following the presentation of the year 2021/22 performance
by RAL’s Chief Executive, Mr Gabriel Maluleke, several
members of the Board expressed their
gratitude to RAL Management for doing
their best in ensuring that the Agency
improves in some areas which were
raised by the Auditor General in the
previous financial year.
The Chairperson of the Board’s
Social and Ethics Committee, Mr
Motlhanke Phukuntsi commended the
quality of the strategic planning
session in dealing with real issues
affecting RAL. “The meeting was
fruitful because RAL Management
came up with improved strategies to
enhance the operations of the Agency
and ensure effective spending of
allocated funds to enable the province
to move forward.”
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BIG Interview
At the heart of its project management success,
is a strong risk and compliance strategy.
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BIG Interview
AT THE FOREFRONT
OF RAL’S ROAD PROJECT
MANAGEMENT AND
ASSURANCE SUCCESS
In its agile approach to road construction, Roads Agency
Limpopo (RAL) is continuously seeking ways to enhance
the delivery of its road infrastructure services.
In March 2017, the entity established a Governance,
Risk and Compliance (GRC) business unit to support its
project management efforts by detecting and managing potential
risks (threats and opportunities) that may arise during the road
development value chain. The responsibilities of RAL entail
planning, construction, maintenance, control and management of
over 20 000km of provincial road network.
Led by Senior Manager, Mr Komane Maphutha, the unit,
among others, oversees Occupational Health and Safety and
Security Management, which are key to ensuring compliance
quality control.
Maphutha asserts that there are many factors that can contribute
to a project failing to achieve its objectives, and RAL’s GRC unit
identifies, monitors, and reports on those factors.
“The purpose of Risk Management in road construction is to
help Project Managers to achieve the set project objectives. We
look at what could go wrong as well as what can be done to manage
risks. We are proactive in our approach and play a vital role in risk
forecasting where we can observe both the challenges and
opportunities in road construction projects. In addition, we also
play an advisory role to the Engineering Unit from the initial
planning and design phase of roads,” explains Maphutha.
Since the formation of the GRC business unit at RAL, an
improved approach to factors threatening the successful
implementation of projects, governance and compliance has been
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022 13

BIG Interview
LEFT: Ms Carol Mthethwa, Manager: Occupational Health and Safety ensures compliance with the Health and Safety Act.
RIGHT: Mr Komane Maphutha, Senior Manager: Governance, Risk and Compliance unit, enforces compliance with the risk register
and facilitation of risk mitigation in RAL projects.
evident in the past five years of its existence.
According to Gary Cohn, the vice-chairman of International
Business Machines (IBM) and a former Director of the National
Economic Council and Chief Economic Advisor to former US
President, Donald Trump, ‘If you don’t invest in risk management,
it does not matter what business you’re in, it’s a risky business.’
Sharing Maphutha’s view, is his colleague serving as the
Manager: Occupational Health and Safety, Ms Carol Mthethwa
who asserts that another key function of GRC is to ensure that RAL
road construction projects meet the Health and Safety standards
that guarantee the safety of road users and other stakeholders, to
prevent or limit their exposure to identified threats. “The nature of
“THE PURPOSE OF RISK MANAGEMENT IN
ROAD CONSTRUCTION IS TO HELP PROJECT
MANAGERS TO ACHIEVE THE SET PROJECT
OBJECTIVES. WE LOOK AT WHAT COULD GO
WRONG AS WELL AS WHAT CAN BE DONE
TO MANAGE RISKS. WE ARE PROACTIVE IN
OUR APPROACH AND PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN RISK
FORECASTING WHERE WE CAN OBSERVE BOTH
THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN ROAD
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.”
our work as Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) professionals
during road construction projects, is to be proactive and
preventative. We endeavour to prevent any kind of injury, illness or
loss of life during all RAL’s projects. We do this whilst ensuring
that there is no loss of time and resources,” Mthethwa says.
Some factors that have been known to cause delays in the
completion of road construction projects, include natural disasters,
administrative and/or operational challenges. These factors tend to
cause friction between project team members and community
members, which on many occasions have led to protests that had
the potential to put people and infrastructure at risk.
“Natural disasters like hail, storm, floods or extreme
temperatures can cause delays to a road project.
On the administrative front, we may experience
delays when we do not get construction work
permits and this poses a financial risk to the
project. Operationally, we have noticed that
road users lack the basic understanding of the
significance of OHS requirements and the risks
associated with a construction site,” elaborates
Mthethwa.
The completion of any RAL road
construction project requires buy-in and
participation of all stakeholders in the entity.
The Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and
regulations provide guidelines in this regard.
The GRC business unit has succeeded in
ensuring that there are processes in place, and
that the entity aligns to best practice (ISO
31 000: 2018, PMBOK, inter alia) with the aim
of improving the level of efficiency while
minimising operational risks.
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RAL
& SANRAL
MOA for the construction of
Moria interchange
RAL is one
of the best provincial
road agencies in
South Africa. I’m not
saying this because I am in Limpopo, and
no one has bribed me or intimidated me.
MR THEMBA MHAMBI
Chairperson of SANRAL Board

SHAREHOLDER Engagement
SOD turning ceremony to signal the commencement
of the rehabilitation of road D1909 leading to Eastgate
Airport, anticipated to attract further direct investment
thereby encouraging economic growth in the
Maruleng Local Municipality.
REHABILITATION
OF ROAD D1909 TO AID TOURISM
The handing over of the contractor for the rehabilitation of
road D1909, leading to Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit
within the Maruleng Local Municipality is set to aid
tourism and contribute to Limpopo’s economic growth.
The road D1909 at Timbavati, Hoedspruit plays a pivotal role
within the said municipality as it links numerous communities and
the tourism industry to economic centres in the area. Once
refurbished, the road will significantly aid tourism and contribute
to Limpopo’s economic growth as many tourists use the Eastgate
Airport enroute to the Kruger National Park and other tourist
attractions situated in and around the Maruleng Local Municipality
within the Mopani District.
The Honourable MEC of Limpopo Department of Public Works,
Roads and Infrastructure (LDPWRI), Mme Nkakareng Rakgoale,
led the SOD turning ceremony to mark the commencement of phase
one of the rehabilitation of the road.
According to the MEC, the new developments are part of
LDPWRI’s efforts through its implementing entity, Roads Agency
Limpopo (RAL) to rejuvenate the province’s economic development
by providing quality road infrastructure. The MEC’s keynote address
emphasised the need for cooperation among all the stakeholders to
ensure successful completion of the road project.
“We urge all stakeholders to work together and avoid disrupting
the implementation of this project. We will make follow-ups
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SHAREHOLDER Engagement
Hon Nkakareng Rakgoale, MEC of LDPWRI, (middle) flanked by Cllr Tsheko Musolwa, the Mayor of Maruleng Local Municipality, (right)
and Mr Star Mbhalati, Chairperson of Public Roads and Transport, Mopani District Municipality (left), all in agreement that rehabilitation
of road D1909 will provide much needed jobs to locals.
“WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE MEC AND RAL FOR
THE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE THEY CONTINUE
TO IMPLEMENT ACROSS THE PROVINCE.
QUALITY ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE WILL
FURTHER UNLEASH OUR MUNICIPALITY’S
ECONOMIC POTENTIAL AND HELP WITH
JOB CREATION IN OUR AREA.”
with the contractor and the engineers to ensure that this
project is implemented properly and is completed within the
stipulated period.”
The Mayor of Maruleng Local Municipality, Cllr Tsheko
Musolwa expressed his gratitude for the good news about
developing his area. “We are grateful to the MEC and RAL for the
road infrastructure they continue to implement across the province.
Quality road infrastructure will further unleash our municipality’s
economic potential and help with job creation in our area.”
Mr Ngoako Ramaboea, RAL’s General Manager for Operations
explained that the project will be rolled out
in phases, commencing with the first stretch
of 6km from the Eastgate Airport in
Hoedspruit.
A jubilant Mr Kgagotle Malepe, a
resident of Sedawa Village in the Maruleng
Local Municipality, and former student of
Southern African Wildlife College, who
used road D1909 extensively around 2019
shared his delight over the new developments.
“Seeing this intervention on our road from
the provincial and local governments makes
me proud as a resident of Maruleng, because
this demonstrates that our leaders care
about us.”
“When we travel along this road, we have
to constantly manoeuvre through potholes,
which is not safe in the case of oncoming traffic. However, now we
are excited to hear that the project to fix this road will commence
soon,” said Ms Eudence Moreku, from Acornhoek.
“Often, we get to work late
and arrive home late as well,
becoming prone to fatal accidents
due to this unsafe road. Therefore,
fixing it will save our lives,” said
Ms Repent Ngwenya, from
Welverdiend Village.
Scan the
QR Code
to watch
this story.
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022 17

SHAREHOLDER Engagement
Honourable MEC of LDPWRI, Mme Nkakareng Rakgoale (third from left) with municipal officials, local traditional authorities and community
representatives during the handing over of a contractor for the rehabilitation of road D21 in the Maruleng Local Municipality, one of the 93 roads
in the province prioritised for major rehabilitation.
93 PROVINCIAL ROAD
MAINTENANCE PROJECTS ACROSS FIVE
LIMPOPO DISTRICTS PRIORITISED
Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) has identified over
90 provincial roads requiring maintenance, to be
prioritised in the 2022/23 financial year.
In its quest to continue to improve the
provincial road infrastructure, RAL will, in the financial year
2022/23 and 2023/24, be undertaking major preventative
maintenance work across all the five districts of the province.
RAL is the entity operating under the political leadership
of the MEC of the Limpopo Department of Public Works,
Roads and Infrastructure (LDPWRI), on behalf of Limpopo
Provincial Government, and is responsible for over
20 000km of Limpopo provincial roads. Out of the total
figure of kilometres in the province, only about 7 000km are
tarred and the rest are either gravel or dirt.
Limpopo Province is one of the rural provinces,
continuously affected by heavy rains and floods which
negatively impact on the existing tarred roads. Most of the
existing quality roads and bridges get destroyed as a result
of heavy rain and floods.
The drive to rehabilitate and maintain the 93 identified
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SHAREHOLDER Engagement
roads follows the LDPWRI’s Operation Thiba Mekoti
Ditseleng, an initiative championed by the National
Department of Transport’s (NDoT) Operation #ValaZonke
Campaign. The operation was mainly aimed at addressing
roads that are heavily affected by potholes.
The Honourable MEC of LDPWRI, Mme Nkakareng
Rakgoale has been hard at work having already commenced
with the handing over of contractors for preventative
maintenance in the Mopani and Vhembe Districts.
In Mopani District, the 30km, D21 road, from Ofcolaco
to Gifani within the Maruleng Local Municipality, will be
to a contractor for rehabilitation.
The MEC has since implored all communities to remain
patient as the work continues. “We encourage our
communities to be patient with us. We acknowledge that
there is a big outcry with regard to road infrastructure
service delivery and we are planning to move with speed to
address the existing backlog,” MEC Rakgoale pleaded.
Traditional councils have highlighted the importance of
job creation which they anticipate as part of the planned
projects. They look forward to having their communities
empowered.
Mr Edgar Modjadji, from Modjadji Traditional Authority (left) and Kgoshi Matshengoane Sekororo from Banareng Ba Sekororo
Traditional Authority (right) are looking forward to the fringe benefits such as employment that are associated with the rehabilitation of
the roads in their respective communities.
rehabilitated in two phases, commencing with the first
phase of 15km. In the Greater Letaba Municipality, 9.6km
of road D3179 from Medingen to Malematsa will be
rehabilitated for a stretch of 7km with the remaining 2.6km
gravel part upgraded.
In the Vhembe District, road D4 from the N1 Turnoff to
Ha-Maila connecting to Vleifontein and Elim, covering an
approximate distance of 10km, has also been handed over
“WE ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITIES TO BE
PATIENT WITH US. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
THERE IS A BIG OUTCRY WITH REGARD TO
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICE DELIVERY AND
WE ARE PLANNING TO MOVE WITH SPEED TO
ADDRESS THE EXISTING BACKLOG.”
Speaking during the handover of road D21, Kgoshi
Matshengoane Sekororo from Banareng Ba Sekororo
Traditional Authority said: “This project is going to help
our community by giving them a proper road, create
job opportunities in the form of labour and small businesses
will also benefit as they will be sub-contracted to render
various services.”
Meanwhile, Mr Edgar Modjadji, from Modjadji Traditional
Authority, expressed his excitement
about the planned rehabilitation on road
D3179.
“We are excited about the planned
rehabilitation because we feared accidents
occurring on the road. We were fortunate
to have never experienced any accidents.
The road will be fixed, making it safe for our
community.”
The MEC will proceed to hand over
more contractors for the preventative
maintenance projects in the Capricorn,
Sekhukhune and Waterberg Districts.
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022 19

STAKEHOLDER Engagement
#RALatWork
Complaints and Compliments
roadsagencylimpopo RoadsAgency roadsagencylimpopo Roads Agency Limpopo
20
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STAKEHOLDER Engagement
MINTIRHO YA VULAVULA
As part of engaging with its readers, Mmileng, the official quarterly publication of the Roads Agency Limpopo
(RAL), recently visited communities that are benefiting from the upgrade of road D4370, Tompi Seleka to
Phokwane village in Sekhukhune, to gather first-hand feedback on how the road changed their lives.
Turn to page 6 to read the full story about the upgrade of the 22.5km stretch of road.
We manufacture bricks, deliver sand and cement.
Before the construction of the new road, most of our
bricks would get damaged during delivery, but since
the completion of the new road, we no longer
encounter any damages. We thank RAL for
bringing this new road to our village.
Sunnyboy Mashilwane,
Raga Project Management,
from Moomane Village.
We transport passengers from Phokwane to Mogaladi.
Before the construction of the new road, sometimes we
couldn’t even reach our destination because the road
was in a bad condition and our cars would get
damaged. We could only make one or two loads per
day, but after the construction of the new road, we
make three to four loads per day.
Jeffery Makena,
Taxi driver from Nebo Taxi
Association, ferrying commuters
from Phokwane to Mogaladi.
Scan the
QR Code
to watch
this story.
Compared to the period before the new tar road,
public transport was inaccessible which made us to
arrive late at work and often dirty due to the dusty
road. I see huge improvement after the construction of
the tar road. Our learners are also able to come to
school on time, still energetic because they no longer
travel on a bumpy road. We thank RAL because life
has now improved considerably
at Mathukuthela village.
Morongoa Manamela, Educator
at Kgopolo e botse Primary School,
Mathukuthela from
Phokwane.
The completion of the road has helped tremendously
because it was a gravel with many bumps before. Even
when leaving home early, I would still be late for work
due to the bad road. Now the road is smooth, I leave
home around 06h30 and take only 15 minutes to
reach my workplace.
Reneilwe Mahlakola,
Adherence Club
Facilitator at Phokwane Clinic,
from Ga-Masha.
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022 21

SMME Empowerment
Mr Senatle Mashile, the Director of Mamogobo Mashile Services, one of the SMMEs who were involved during the construction of road
D4370 in Sekhukhune, commends RAL for its efforts in empowering small businesses through road construction that is undertaken in
various communities.
29 SMMEs
BENEFIT FROM THE CONSTRUCTION
OF D4370 IN SEKHUKHUNE DISTRICT
True to its mandate, Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL)
continues to use road infrastructure development to
contribute positively to communities where it
undertakes its projects. For every upgrading project
being undertaken, 30% of the total contract value is
set aside to empower Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises
(SMMEs). This is the policy of government aimed at assisting the
developing enterprises in South Africa.
RAL has recently completed the upgrade of road D4370 (gravel
to tar), from Tompi Seleka to Phokwane village within the
Sekhukhune District. Twenty-nine (29) SMMEs participated and
benefited from this RAL empowerment programme. A number of
them did not only make financial gain but also harnessed business
and construction industry skills. Read full story about the road
22
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SMME Empowerment
project on page 6.
According to Mr Doctor Makhunga, the Project Manager for the main
contractor, responsible for the 22.5km road project, some of the
empowered SMMEs were not familiar with road construction and general
business principles.
“We had to train them on their respective tasks, for them to deliver as
expected and work independently. We believe that even after the
completion of the road project, they will be able to utilise the acquired
skills and continue to make a decent living,” explained Makhunga.
“The project has improved my life by exposing me to the world of
construction, which I knew nothing about,” said one of the beneficiaries,
Mr Senatle Mashile (32) from Moomane Village, the Director of
Mamogobo Mashile Services.
Mashile expressed gratitude for the opportunity afforded to him to
learn about the demands of building a road and the construction industry
in general. “I even managed to buy important tools such as the surveying
GPS set, compactor and smooth roller to help me take up more business
Ms Kamogelo Mogadima, Director of Kgee’s Trading,
says being part of the SMME sub-contractors during the
road D4370 project has introduced her to the world of
civil engineering, which she thought was traditionally
meant for males only.
“THE ROAD PROJECT HAS LEFT A
LIFETIME LEGACY IN MY LIFE AS A
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER BECAUSE
I NOW KNOW A LOT ABOUT ROAD
CONSTRUCTION. I FEEL MOTIVATED
AND BELIEVE THAT I CAN EXPAND MY
BUSINESS AND BID FOR TENDERS OUTSIDE
MY COMMUNITY TO BROADEN MY
OPPORTUNITIES.”
Local SMMEs played a pivotal role during the construction
of the road project as they were sub-contracted to render
various services such as construction and installation of
v-drains, culverts, casting of wingwalls and concrete to
ensure the successful completion of the project.
opportunities in the construction industry to sustain my life,” he said.
Sharing Mashile’s sentiments was, Ms Kamogelo Mogadima (34)
from Disenyane Village whose company, Kgee’s Trading was subcontracted
for civil works entailing supply and installation of culverts and
v-drains.
Mogadima explained that “the first two months were horrible, as my
v-drains work failed, and I lost about R98 000 because they could not
work properly. The water couldn’t flow, so they had to be destroyed and I
had to start all over again.” However, through hard work, determination
and mentorship, her work finally met the standards required and everything
sailed smoothly from there on out.
To her delight, Mogadima’s company was the only SMME in the
project that was able to move from level 1 to level 5 of the CIDB grading.
“The road project has left a lifetime legacy in my life as a small
business owner because I now know a lot about road construction. I feel
motivated and believe that I can expand my business and bid for tenders
outside my community to broaden my opportunities,” she concluded.
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 2 of 2022 23

PERSONALITY
Limpopo’s
beauty
queen
STUNS SOUTH AFRICA
“……And the new Miss South Africa 2022 winner is …Ndavi Nokeri”!
The year 2022 will forever remain in the minds
and hearts of many South Africans, in particular,
the community of a small Gabaza Village in
Limpopo’s Greater Tzaneen Municipality, who
witnessed the young, beautiful and bright Ndavi
Nokeri crowned the 2022 winner of Miss South Africa pageant.
Having been crowned the year 2022 beauty queen of SA, the 23
year old will spend her tenure as Miss SA, advocating for equal
educational opportunities for all. The eloquent Nokeri strongly
believes education is the only way through which the real
emancipation of South Africans can be realised.
“YOU NEED TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND BE
DETERMINED TO PURSUE YOUR DREAMS. FOR TWO
YEARS I TOLD MYSELF I WOULD BE MISS SA 2022 AS
PART OF AN AFFIRMATION. I HAVE UTTERED THESE
WORDS MORE THAN A 1000 TIMES BEFORE
BUT TO BE ABLE TO SAY IT TODAY WHEN IT IS
ACTUALLY MY REALITY IS SO HUMBLING.”
Nokeri holds a BCom in Investment Management qualification
from the University of Pretoria. At the time of her crowning in
August 2022, the Miss SA queen was working at an asset
management company in Cape Town.
Being crowned Miss SA makes Nokeri one of the recognised
voices in South Africa. Her views will carry enormous weight, not
only among her peers but also within recognised formal structures
such as those promoting the development of women. Nokeri’s
dream was to initially become a professional netball player but
later decided to pursue modelling. Her love for modelling started at
a young age. “I participated in my first pageant at the age of five.
Although the initial intention was to just
have fun, the level of competitiveness
was motivating. Little did I know that it
was only the beginning of my pageant
journey,” she says.
Following the attainment of her
crown, the young queen was celebrated
by her proud home province, Limpopo.
According to Mr Ndavhe Ramakuela,
the Provincial Head of Communications
Services, the Limpopo Provincial
Government is proud to yet again receive
the prettiest and most intelligent “lady”,
24
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PERSONALITY
Nokeri describes herself as an
adventurous, adrenaline junkie who
never says “no” to a challenge. As
a teenager she aspired to be a
professional netball player.
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022 25

PERSONALITY
Ndavi Nokeri is passionate about
upskilling the underprivileged and
supporting them to become
successful in future.
26
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PERSONALITY
Nokeri takes pride in being family
oriented and says that is where she
gets her strength. Pictured from the
left is her father, Mr Moses Nokeri;
her sister Ms Fanisa Nokeri; her
mother, Mrs Betty Nokeri and her
brother, Mr Ntwanano Nokeri.
“ROADS PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PROMOTING
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY. A POORLY
MAINTAINED ROAD PUTS PEOPLE’S LIVES AT RISK
AS THERE ARE CHANCES OF ACCIDENTS DUE TO
POTHOLES AMONGST OTHERS. THROUGH RAL,
WE HAVE SEEN MANY ROADS IN THE PROVINCE
BEING REHABILITATED TO ENABLE BUSINESS
BLOOMING AND MOTORISTS TRAVELLING
SMOOTHLY FOR REDUCED DISTANCES. WELL
DONE TO RAL.”
Miss South Africa 2022, back home. “Nokeri’s crowning has
proven that indeed Limpopo is the home of the most well-groomed,
pretty young women in South Africa, after we received similar
prestige in 2020 through Shudufhadzo Musida and Bokang
Montjane in 2010.”
Before entering the Miss SA pageant, Nokeri partnered with
different organisations to work towards lessening educational
inequality in South Africa. The main aim of the initiative, she says,
is to help promote computer literacy in poorly resourced schools
and distribute some of the resources
needed by learners.
Sharing her secret to success
with the Mmileng crew, Nokeri
believes her strength has been
nothing else but determination.
“You need to believe in yourself
and be determined to pursue your
dreams. For two years I told
myself I would be Miss SA 2022
as part of an affirmation. I have
uttered these words more than a
1 000 times before but to be able
to say it today when it is actually
my reality is so humbling. I am
naturally relentless in pursuit of
the things I believe in,” she
states beaming with pride.
The beauty queen credits her
Miss SA victory to her family. “My family
contributed immensely to my upbringing and
success. I value family; hence I am very close
to my parents and my siblings who have been
the most supportive people in my life. I
attribute my success to them. So for me,
it’s all about family over everything else,”
she says.
Nokeri lists former Miss Universe
Zozibini Tunzi and former Miss World
Rolene Strauss, as some of her pillars for
motivation. “We have seen previous [beauty]
queens become formidable businesswomen,
corporate leaders, authors, etc. They break
the societal limits that are constantly placed
on women. We are limitless and powerful
beyond measure!”
Some of the major concerns for Nokeri,
are the levels and effects of unemployment
and poverty in South Africa. She strongly
feels that her role as Miss SA will contribute
positively to helping the needy.
The jubilant Nokeri applauds the great work done by the Roads
Agency Limpopo in building and maintaining the provincial roads.
She uses these roads when visiting her family. “Roads play a
significant role in promoting the development of the economy. A
poorly maintained road puts people’s lives at risk as there are
chances of accidents occurring due to potholes amongst others.
Through RAL, we have seen many roads in the province being
rehabilitated to enable business blooming and motorists travelling
smoothly for reduced distances. Well done to RAL.”
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022 27

INSIDE RAL
RAL team in a brainstorming
session to devise solutions
to existing organisational
challenges in an effort to
rejuvenate their passion to
improve road infrastructure
delivery in the province.
PLANNING AND ETHICAL
PROFESSIONALISM KEY TO RAL’S
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICE DELIVERY
Owing to Roads Agency Limpopo’s (RAL)
endeavour to improve delivery of the road
infrastructure in the province, the entity’s
Engineering Division and support units held
a mid-term strategic review workshop to assess progress
on implemented projects and identify future improvement
areas to enhance efficiency.
The primary aim of the workshop was to convene all
internal stakeholders within the Agency to share knowledge
and lessons learnt to improve the operations going forward.
Added to identifying the positives, the session focused on
areas that affect project implementation and quality of the
work done.
RAL’s General Manager: Operations, Mr Martin Ramaboea
urged the engineering team to address RAL’s road
implementation challenges, further highlighting that “the
session is for all of us to reflect on our achievements and
challenges so that we can develop alternative ways to take
us forward,” he said.
Participating during the session were Engineering,
Stakeholder Management, Communications, Supply Chain
Management, Governance, Risk and Compliance as well
as Health and Safety units. Road construction expert with
over 20 years of experience, Mr Standford Mkhacane, was
invited to give a keynote address which he used to share
his wisdom. He shared his wealth of experience in civil
28
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INSIDE RAL
Above: The mid-term strategic review workshop
gathered RAL staff members to reflect on some of the
success stories and challenges encountered in the past
as they work towards improving Limpopo’s road network.
Left: Retired Road Engineering and Maintenance Expert,
Mr Standford Mkhacane says engineers should
discharge their professional responsibilities with integrity.
“THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH PLANNING
IN ADVANCE FOR A ROAD PROJECT THAT
WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN FIVE YEARS.”
engineering and construction.
In his speech, Mkhacane called upon the engineers to
maintain ethical integrity and professionalism as the basis
for successful delivery of quality road projects. “Practising
as an engineer needs one to think independently and not
allow him/herself to be influenced by external factors. You
need to discharge your professional responsibility with
integrity,” he urged the RAL team.
The road construction expert pleaded with the
team to improve on planning, stressing that it is an
essential part of road construction. “There is nothing
wrong with planning in advance for a road project
that will be implemented in five years,” he advised.
The workshop comprised break-away sessions
where attendees worked in team units to identify
challenges in each unit and recommended solutions
to mitigate the identified challenges.
Commenting on the importance of the session,
several employees applauded the importance of
the session in improving the province’s road
infrastructure.
Mr Musa Ndlovu, RAL’s Project Manager
concurred that “the session was quite an interesting
exposure to familiarise ourselves with what other
units encounter on a daily basis and deliberate on
how new strategies can be used to address the
issues at hand as the entity moves forward.”
His words were echoed by the Junior Project
Manager, Ms Thakgalang Kekana who added that
the reflective session was important as the “only way we
could address shortcomings and improve on our
performance to avoid repeating the same mistakes.”
Meanwhile, Ms Mabjalwa Modjadji who is the Manager:
Community Development at RAL said she was glad
that, through the deliberations, participants “were able to
collectively suggest solutions which will help us improve our
operations, especially the implementation of roads.”
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022 29

INSIDE RAL
RAL RECRUITS
EXPERTS TO BOOST ROAD
INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICE DELIVERY
In its efforts to achieve a clean audit and enhance
efficiency in delivering road infrastructure service, Roads
Agency Limpopo (RAL) has in the 2022/23 financial
year, employed 19 professionals ranging from various
fields of expertise, including supply chain, engineering, risk
management and auditing.
Many of the positions that have recently been
filled were vacant for a long time due to the
moratorium issued by Provincial Treasury. As a
catalyst for socio-economic transformation, RAL
additional support or seek clarity on any related issues.
Ms Modile Boshielo, the Executive Manager: Corporate
Services, highlighted that making these important
appointments will ensure that, “we do not find ourselves in
a situation where one project manager oversees about
20 projects as is the current situation.”
“THE HUMAN RESOURCE CAPACITY
HAS BEEN A REAL CONCERN
FOR US AND THIS IMPACTED
NEGATIVELY IN THE AGENCY
EFFECTIVELY EXECUTING ITS
MANDATE. OUR RECRUITMENT
PLAN IS APPROVED BY
TREASURY AND WE ALREADY
HAVE THE GO-AHEAD TO WORK
TOWARDS FILLING ALL THE
CRITICAL VACANCIES.”
continues to improve internal processes and
systems to ensure the Agency delivers optimally
to the people of Limpopo. The current set of
skills recruited will add value to the Agency’s
efficiency and effectiveness.
RAL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr
Gabriel Maluleke has expressed his confidence
in anticipating the value the new employees will
add to the overall mandate of the entity. He
further emphasised that his office doors will
always be open should the new employees need
RAL’s CEO, Mr Gabriel Maluleke is hopeful that the newly appointed
employees will help the entity to maximise its road infrastructure service
delivery efforts.
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INSIDE RAL
Ms Modile Boshielo, Executive Manager: Corporate
Services is adamant that the Agency will succeed in
finding suitable personnel who are prepared to work
and better the lives of Limpopo people.
The Agency is currently implementing over 200 upgrading and maintenance
road projects across Limpopo’s five districts. “The human resource capacity
has been a real concern for us and this impacted negatively in the Agency
effectively executing its mandate. Our recruitment plan is approved by Treasury
and we already have the go-ahead to work towards filling all the critical
vacancies,” added Ms Boshielo.
In recognising the development of its own internal staff, RAL has made more
than 12 appointments from employees that have been with the Agency and
shown potential in becoming great managers and executives. The internally
driven skills recognition exercise has greatly and unbelievably improved the
employee morale and serves as the motivation for the future leaders.
Meet the recently appointed staff members who are committed to assisting
in advancing road infrastructure development in the province:
Carol Mthethwa
Manager: Health and Safety
Khutso Nkoana
Manager: Pavement Design
Engineer
Luyanda Sithole
Manage: Communications
Maite Sefala
Manager: Governance, Risk
and Compliance
Malesela Mathosa
Project Manager: Operations
Dr Norman Mudau
Senior Manager: Finance
Phuti Montjane
Senior Manager: Land Use
Management
Pitsi Maribana
Manager: Internal Audit
Pretty Digama
Senior Manager: Supply Chain
Management
Tebogo Phasha
Management Accountant
ral.co.za Mmileng | Issue 3 of 2022 31

Roads continue to play a critical role in economic development and
growth of the Limpopo Province. Though the province is
predominantly rural, a good and well-maintained road
infrastructure that connects communities to the
economic mainstream is crucial for
further development.
#RALatWork
roadsagencylimpopo
RoadsAgency
roadsagencylimpopo
Roads Agency Limpopo

DID YOU
KNOW?
ROADS AGENCY LIMPOPO IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER
20 000KM
OF LIMPOPO ROAD NETWORK
AND OUT OF THE
20 000KM,
32%
IS TARRED AND
68%
IS GRAVEL.
Join us, LET’S WORK TOGETHER to
better the roads in your communities!
ral.co.za

#MmilengReaders

HOW TO GET YOUR
COPY OF MMILENG
Mmileng Distribution Points
Offices:
• Roads Agency Limpopo
• Limpopo Department of
Public Works, Roads
and Infrastructure
• Five (5) Limpopo district
municipalities
• Twenty-two (22) Limpopo
local municipalities
Other:
• RAL stakeholder
engagement events
• Strategic partners,
as featured
Get your
digital copy
of Mmileng
on the go
at PressReader, Magzter, AnyFlip,
Issuu, Yumpu digital newsstand Apps
or download it from ral.co.za/mmileng
For distribution enquiries, contact Mmileng Editor Dr Maropeng Manyathela at manyathelabm@ral.co.za
or on 015 284 4600/02. You may also tweet content feedback or any other suggestion(s)
@RoadsAgency or post on roadsagencylimpopo @roadsagencylimpopo