KZN PLAYS KEY ROLE IN CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN SOUTH
AFRICA
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| Left: Signage indicating the extreme
altitude of the Sani Pass road Right: Part of the Sani Pass road that will be upgraded to blacktop |
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The 33 kilometre gravel Sani Pass Road which runs from Himeville through to
the Lesotho Border is set to become accessible to all types of vehicles soon.
The Sani Pass Road, also known as Main Road 318, has certain extremely steep and
treacherous sections, particularly as it approaches the Lesotho Border. A
section of the road is currently restricted to 4X4 vehicles only. However, both
the governments of South Africa and Lesotho intend to make the exclusive use of
4X4 vehicles on this road a thing of the past. In the long term it is imperative
that the entire length of the Sani Pass Road be upgraded to blacktop.
This mountain pass forms a vital link between South Africa and Lesotho and has
international importance as it serves as a trade and economic conduit between
the two countries. It is also the gateway to the 'Roof of Africa' scenic route
that links the spectacular scenery of the Drakensberg with the mountains of
northern Lesotho, and it is the only border post between KwaZulu-Natal and
Lesotho. The Sani Pass provides the nearest market and health care services for
the people in the Mokhotlong region of Lesotho. Their alternative to the
Underberg area are the Free State markets that are almost 300 kilometres away.
KZN Transport Department head Dr. Kwazi Mbanjwa said:"The Sani Pass has major
tourist and trade significance, providing important economic benefits to the
area. There are at least three tour operators in Underberg who earn a living by
transporting tourists to Sani Top and Lesotho. A vibrant taxi industry which
provides a service to Lesotho also operates in the area, with residents
commuting between these countries, via Sani Pass."
During the summer months this section of the Drakensberg experiences frequent
and severe storms, with major snowfalls in winter. This results in the Pass
being closed to traffic at least twice a year. Sometimes these closures can last
for several days, such as on 27 December 2002 when the Pass was closed until 3
January 2003. Discussions between South Africa and Lesotho regarding the
upgrading of the Sani Pass Road have been in progress for several years, and a
declaration of intent was signed in 2005. The national Department of Transport
has committed R85 million towards the upgrading of the road from Himeville
through to the Lesotho Border and has proposed that the KwaZulu-Natal province
provides the remainder of the required funding. The preliminary estimate for the
upgrading and surfacing of the 33 kilometre stretch amounts to R160 million, but
a proper design for the whole road needs to be completed before an accurate
estimate is finalised.
This project has been divided into the following phases: Phase 1: Himeville to
the proposed new South African border post near kilometre point 14; Phase 2: New
South African border post through to the existing South African border post near
kilometre point 26; and Phase 3: Existing South African border post through to
the Lesotho border at kilometre point 33.
It is envisaged that the design and much of the construction of phase one will
be completed during the 2006/2007 financial year. The environmental
investigations and design work for phases 2 and 3 will also be undertaken. Phase
1 serves existing tourist and agricultural facilities outside of the Drakensberg
World Heritage conservation area, with requests and demands for the upgrading
and surfacing of this portion going back many years.
KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety & Liaison Mr. Bheki Cele said that the
importance of this Pass must not be underestimated. "The primary task facing
transport systems is the need to accommodate growing demands through population
growth and migration, urban development and increased capacity in trade and
commodity flows within limited boundaries," said Cele.
A sod turning ceremony was held at the Sani Pass Hotel Grounds on 18 July and
various senior government officials from both countries were present.
