KOUGA Municipality and the AfriForum branch in Jeffreys Bay have joined hands to ease traffic congestion along one of the town’s busiest roads.
Two T-junctions were widened and a feeding lane was added to improve the traffic flow along St Francis Road to the benefit of residents and visitors.
“The two junctions are those that connect Koraal Street and Disa Avenue to St Francis Road,” Kouga Speaker and ward councillor Hattingh Bornman said.
“The number of visitors to Jeffreys Bay far exceeds the number of residents during peak holiday seasons. This places the infrastructure under enormous pressure, which brings about all types of frustrations and negatively affects the tourism industry.”
Dries du Preez, a member of the Jeffreys Bay branch management and an engineer and developer by trade, was in charge of the project from AfriForum’s side.
“It’s taken more than a year’s labour, sweat and planning. The hard work was definitely worth it in the end. We are extremely proud of the project.”
He said the original plan had been to replace the four-way stop at the fuel station in St Francis Road with a traffic circle, but the current layout of the fuel station’s access routes made this impossible.
“We hope to tackle this problem in the future as well.”
Borman expressed his gratitude for the initiative on behalf of the Kouga Council.
“We value the relationship we have with AfriForum’s Jeffreys Bay branch. All interaction takes place in a very positive manner and we are relieved that the project could be completed, despite many challenges,” he said.
AfriForum’s Jeffreys Bay branch and Kouga shared the costs of the project, which amounted to approximately R340 000, with the municipality’s contribution coming from the Ward Development Fund.
Danie Fouche, chairperson of the local AfriForum branch, thanked the municipality for their positive attitude.
“We are looking forward to expanding our cooperation in the future to the benefit of the entire community,” he said.
Arno Greyling, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Southern Cape, also praised both parties for their teamwork.
“This action is a good example of our plans for the future. Cooperation is essential to promote ownership within our communities despite all the unique challenges it comprises.
“We want to invite the public to become involved with the organisation. Together we rise above present-day challenges to truly make South Africa a better place for all of us.”
Engineer, developer and AfriForum Jeffreys Bay Management Member Dries du Preez, who was at the head of the project that saw the widening of the road where Koraal Street and Disa Avenue respectively join St Francis Road and the construction of a feeding lane, says, “More than a year’s labour, sweat and planning were worth it in the end. We are extremely proud of the project.”
AfriForum Jeffreys Bay Chairperson Danie Fouche thanked the municipality for their positive attitude.
“We are looking forward to expanding our cooperation in the future to the benefit of the entire community.”
Arno Greyling, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Southern Cape, also praised both parties for their teamwork. “This action is a good example of our plans for the future.
“Cooperation is essential to promote ownership within our communities despite all the unique challenges it comprises. We want to invite the public to become involved at the organisation – together we rise above present-day challenges to truly make South Africa a better place for all of us.”
Kouga Speaker Hattingh Bornman expressed his gratitude for this initiative on behalf of Council. He mentioned that cooperation with AfriForum’s Jeffreys Bay branch takes place in a very positive manner and that they are relieved that the project could be completed despite many challenges.
