The bridge, which joins two districts, OR Tambo to the east, and Amathole to the west, will cut by at least 50 minutes the distance between Mvezo Village, former President Mandela’s birth place, and its closest town, Dutywa.

This project, which will cost about R100 million, creating about hundred jobs over a two-year period, is a partnership between the department and the Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works.

“The overall project includes the construction of one additional low–water bridge along the road leading to the main bridge. The department is going to construct four other low-water bridges, two each, in Mpumalanga and Limpopo,” said Nkwinti.

Two other major socio-economic projects have already started in Nkandla and Skame (Vryheid) in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Nkandla project is the brainchild of the community’s Hlalazi Smart Growth Development, together with the Masibambisane Trust.

The department, working with other departments, both nationally and provincially, is supporting the community with technical skills, such as design and planning.

The project is at a feasibility and design phase, and should be ready for roll out soon.

At Skame, the department has laid out bulk infrastructure for water and sanitation for 900 housing units.