R89 million bridge project restores transport links

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14-11-2025
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NovaNews
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After 17 months of KwaNobuhle road users having to use makeshift roads, the Matanzima Bridge and Nomakhwezana Bridge, both located at the entrance of KwaNobuhle in Kariega, have been reopened by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe on Friday, 7 November 2025, making them safe for road users to use with 90% of the overall work done, with minor touch-ups being done underneath the bridges.

The bridges were closed after the June 2024 flash floods that saw the rain washed away part of the bridges, leaving a gap on the road.

The area was deemed a disaster zone, and after long delays caused by procurement challenges, a contractor was finally appointed to repair the bridges.

The closure of the bridges threatened livelihoods and the daily commute of residents, as those working outside of KwaNobuhle had to endure longer periods in traffic as all commuters made use of the Nomakhwezana Road, which was always congested, often making commuters late.

The Uitenhage & District Taxi Association (UDTA) took a major hit from the closure of the bridges. Speaking to UD Express, the UDTA spokesperson Lubabalo Vesele said, “Taxis had to use one congested road, often making their passengers late. The unmaintained Ndlambe Road connected to Nomakhwezana Road was riddled with potholes, often taking up half the road, tearing through taxi tyres, causing dings to the taxis as well as other maintenance issues. The opening was also welcomed by the Association.”

He also touched on the potential vandalism of the bridges. “The fixing of the bridges was a collective effort of the relevant stakeholders, the Association and the community. Anyone trying to steal cables will be undoing the work we fought for and will therefore be seen as a threat to the partnership we have built to make this opening a reality. Perpetrators will be dealt with accordingly.”

According to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, the municipality is thrilled about the reopening of both the bridges.

When asked about completing the works in time, Lobishe said, “We might have started the work on these bridges owing to the disaster, but the work was necessary. It made us aware of the necessary maintenance that needs to be done to the bridges. Thorough technical work has been done to the bridges to sustain them for the next 50 years to come.”

She added, “The gabion baskets under the bridges are in place to prevent a collapse of the wall along the riverbanks. The remaining 10% of work to be done is clean up.”

Lobishe added that the bridges can now accommodate all motor vehicles, trucks included. “Residents will now have access to the healthcare facility that is in front of the bridges, namely the Laetitia Bam Community Health Centre.”

Although the municipality was criticised by KwaNobuhle residents for the delays in fixing the bridges, with official work only starting 11 months after the collapse, Lobishe welcomed the criticism.

“Some people criticise to nudge us towards perfection. We are happy that they managed to put us in the spotlight in the bad times so that today, we can be in the spotlight for something positive for the community,” she said. “Working under immense pressure, not only did main contractors benefit from this project; even 38 local SMMEs benefited from this with the creation of 200 jobs. We have built social cohesion through the stakeholders that have participated in the project.”

Sharing the figures for fixing the bridges, Lobishe shared that the total amount spent by the municipality to fix these two bridges was R89 million. “We have an additional R59 million of infrastructure funds that will be used to fix the affected parts of the city,” she said.

We have not managed to help homes that were affected by the floods because the housing mandate is not the municipality’s and we have not yet been able to sit down with the relevant department. There are multiple factors contributing to our slow pace in addressing affected families.

She concluded with a message to the community, “We thank residents for their patience and ask for them not to burn tyres on the bridges.” Also addressing vandalism to infrastructure, she said, “The cables of these bridges are more protected than ever. Anyone who attempts to steal cables from the bridges would be risking their lives.”