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26 July 2022 Media Release: Western Cape Government hands over Construction Graders worth R9.4 million to GRDM

Western Cape Government hands over Construction Graders worth R9.4 million to GRDM

For immediate release
26 July 2022

Last week, 21 July 2022, the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works handed over two Construction Graders worth R4.7 million each to the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Roads Department.  The keys were handed over to the main operators Phillip Scholtz and Andre Mouton by the GRDM Portfolio Chairperson of Roads and Transport Services, Ald. Petru Terblanche and the Deputy Executive Mayor, Ald. Gert van Niekerk.

This year to date the GRDM received three graders from Western Cape Government. The first machine was delivered on 14 June and last week the team took the brand new graders into acceptance. According to Gerald Sinkfontein, Deputy Manager for Mechanical Services at GRDM Roads, “the first machine was allocated to the Regravel Long Distance Team and it was handed over to the Main Operator, Adam Damons and back-up Operator, Andrew Mars.  These latest additions will be utilised by two (2) maintenance teams serving roads on the outskirts of George.

GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, at the event, said: “It is indeed wonderful to witness events such as today.  We are always under extreme pressure in terms of the expectations for the maintenance of the roads, and these machines are remarkable additions to the plant that we already have”. To the Operators, Stratu said that not any person is able to operate a machine valued at approximately R5 million machine – “so you are the chosen ones”. Adding to this, Stratu extended words of gratitude to the WCG and for the support and the appreciation of the work that GRDM delivers. “We are proud to be the district with the largest fleet in the Western Cape and we promise to continue looking after the machines that we receive – your cooperation is important to us”.

Deputy Executive Mayor, Ald. Gert van Niekerk, highlighted that, “it is quite a proud moment to see the super tools of trade in front of us for the job that lies ahead with our roads stretching from Slangrivier to Bitou through to Kannaland.” Adding to this he emphasised: “Without the tools of trade it will all be in vain. Hence we are proud to accept these two (2) significant machines”.  To all representatives present, including Marilise van Wyngaardt, Chief Engineer Mechanical Services at the WCG and Heinie Brand from Komatzu, he said: “We can assure you that the machines will be fully utilised in the best interest of the people of the region”. Van Niekerk also extended words of gratitude to everyone involved and present, for their efforts in the process.

Ald. Petru Terblanche, after witnessing keys being handed over to GRDM, said to the operators: “Looking at almost R5 million under your seats, you are encouraged to look well at each machine that is yours to operate.”

Heinie Brand from Komatsu, in closing, shared words of gratitude to the WCG and GRDM and said: “We have been fortunate that you had faith in Komatsu for having our machines on your sites and to put it into good work and maintaining your beautiful side of the country”.

John Daniels, a proud GRDM Executive Manager for Roads and Transport Planning facilitated the event in the presence of many other Roads and Transport Planning employees.

ENDS

Did you know?

The Garden Route District Municipality Road Agency services an area of approximately 47 000 sq km. The area is divided into 15 wards that are serviced by 16 maintenance grader operators. According to the agreement with Provincial Government, a minimum of 10 000 km of gravel road surface must be graded annually. Where needed, re-graveling projects are undertaken and it is the Road Agency’s responsibility to rehabilitate the quarries where the gravel is sourced from. Each ward also has one maintenance team.