By Charmaine Ndlela
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial government has allocated R216 million to repair potholes across the province as part of a broader infrastructure-led growth strategy, with R4.11 billion earmarked for the public sector-led infrastructure investment programme in the upcoming financial year.
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli made the announcement while delivering his State of the Province Address at the Woodburn Rugby Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, outlining an intensified road maintenance drive aimed at restoring safety and improving mobility.
“We are taking decisive action to address the deteriorating condition of our provincial roads,” Ntuli said.
“An amount of R216 million has been allocated specifically to deal with potholes across KwaZulu-Natal.”
To accelerate implementation, Ntuli said the province has secured 55 trucks and appointed more than 100 road worker aides and supervisors dedicated to pothole repairs.
“This effort will reduce the impact of potholes on vehicles, which often leads to punctures, wheel damage, traffic congestion and delays. It will also assist in reducing the risk of accidents, including fatalities, while improving mobility and stimulating economic activity in the province,” he said.
Ntuli emphasised that addressing bulk service supply constraints is critical to unlocking stalled and delayed projects.
“If we are to unlock stalled and delayed projects, we must urgently address bulk service supply constraints,” he said.
He added that the province is strengthening its one-stop shop to resolve bottlenecks in statutory approvals, including compliance with the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, water-use licences and funding processes.
Clearer directives will also be issued to municipalities and the private sector to incentivise infrastructure investment.
“We will provide clearer guidance to municipalities and the private sector to encourage infrastructure investment, including raising awareness of potential rate rebates and discount holidays during investment periods,” Ntuli said.
He further highlighted the importance of strengthening land agreements with the Ingonyama Trust Board to ease approval processes and fast-track development in affected areas.
Across districts, infrastructure projects are progressing in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining and construction.
“In uMgungundlovu, 12 projects valued at R24 billion are currently under way,” Ntuli said. “uThukela hosts six projects worth R38 billion, while uMzinyathi has seven projects valued at R1.6 billion.”
“In Amajuba, 15 projects amounting to R1 billion are progressing, Zululand has seven projects valued at R1.7 billion, and uMkhanyakude leads in project numbers with 25 projects worth R5 billion,” he added.
“King Cetshwayo has eight projects valued at R44 billion, while Ugu accounts for 17 projects totalling R13.2 billion.”
Ntuli said transforming the construction and infrastructure sector is central to achieving inclusive growth.
“The transformation of the build economy is not optional; it is imperative,” he said, noting that women’s participation in the sector must expand beyond beneficiary status to leadership and decision-making roles.
He emphasised that road infrastructure remains a central pillar of the province’s connectivity strategy, reiterating that the transformation of the build economy is not optional, but essential to inclusive growth.
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