Overview of the Welisizwe Bridges Programme

The Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme is aimed at ensuring that rural communities are able to go on with their daily lives, and easily and safely reach schools, workplaces and other amenities. The initiative also forms part of the Strategic Integrated Project, and supports government’s economic recovery programme.

This initiative is managed by the department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the South African National Defence Force and Provincial Transport Departments. Since its launch, a number of bridges have been completed while many others are under construction in Free State, Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo, Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal.

The need for such a programme came after persistent heavy rains in rural areas caused damage, to roads and bridges ,making it impossible for community members to cross over rivers, forcing them to stay home and halt economic and learning activities. The Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme is aimed at addressing the backlog of bridges infrastructure in rural and disadvantaged communities. The construction of bridges in rural areas aims to improve a communities access to health facilities, schools and economic amenities.

The building of these bridges in rural areas has created work opportunities for community members through the Expanded Public Works Programme. Just over a thousand job opportunities are created in each province through the construction of a Welisizwe bridge. Over and above EPWP participants, artisans and professionals acquire work experience through this initiative.