Northern Cape Department of Roads And Public Works

08/09/2026

DEPUTY MINISTER SIHLE ZIKALALA AND MEC BENTLEY VASS ADVANCE SMALL HARBOURS DEVELOPMENT IN PORT NOLLOTH AND HONDEKLIPBAAI

📍[HAPPENING TODAY] The development of small harbours in Port Nolloth and Hondeklipbaai moved a step closer to implementation today, 8 September 2026, as Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Sihle Zikalala, and Northern Cape MEC for Roads and Public Works, Mr Bentley Vass, led a high-level government delegation on a site visit and stakeholder engagement in Port Nolloth.

A key milestone of the visit was the handover of the Spatial and Economic Development Frameworks for the proposed small harbours at Port Nolloth and Hondeklipbaai to local leadership.

The frameworks, developed under the Small Harbours Development Programme, SIP 21, provide strategic masterplans for the phased development of small craft harbour infrastructure and mark the transition of the proposed developments from concept towards a coordinated programme of action.

Deputy Minister Zikalala said the programme seeks to move Port Nolloth and Hondeklipbaai from the planning stage towards feasible, funded and implementation-ready projects, while strengthening coordination between national, provincial and local government.

The delegation visited the existing De Beers Harbour in Port Nolloth, which is currently utilised by commercial and community fishers, before proceeding to the site earmarked for the proposed new small harbour for community fishers.

The proposed development at Port Nolloth is estimated at approximately R110 million and is expected to improve harbour infrastructure, support the local fishing economy and create opportunities for surrounding communities.

Port Nolloth has been identified as a Tier 1 priority site, while Hondeklipbaai is classified as a Tier 2 site. The two developments are envisaged as complementary components of a broader Northern Cape coastal development corridor, with opportunities in fishing, aquaculture, tourism and other maritime industries.

MEC Vass emphasised that the development of the two harbours should not be viewed as competing projects.

“Port Nolloth and Hondeklipbaai are two halves of a single coastal development corridor. Our task is to ensure that these frameworks do not remain documents on shelves, but become a pathway towards infrastructure that creates economic opportunities and improves the livelihoods of our coastal communities.”

The programme concluded with a community and stakeholder engagement at the Luvuyo Drop-In Centre in Port Nolloth, providing local communities and key stakeholders with an opportunity to engage government on the envisaged harbour developments.

Both Deputy Minister Zikalala and MEC Vass stressed that infrastructure development must be accompanied by community development, skills development, sustainable fishing practices and support for local businesses.

The Northern Cape Provincial Government has reaffirmed its commitment to working with national government, municipalities and relevant state entities to address outstanding institutional, land, waterside and governance matters required to move the developments towards implementation.

The ultimate objective is to unlock the economic potential of the Northern Cape coastline and position public infrastructure investment as a catalyst for jobs, enterprise development and sustainable coastal economic growth.

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SESSION AND LAUNCH OF THE SMALL HARBOURS IN PORT NOLLOTH

07/09/2026

🌧️ MEC BENTLEY VASS DURING SABC INTERVIEW ADDRESSES ROAD CONDITIONS FOLLOWING HEAVY RAINFALL OVER THE WEEKEND.

📍[HAPPENING TODAY] The MEC for Roads and Public Works, Mr Bentley VASS, during an interview engaged SABC on the latest developments regarding the impact of heavy rainfall on the Northern Cape’s road infrastructure, with particular focus on the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) District.

MEC Vass confirmed that, no further major road closures have been reported to the Department. Departmental teams remain on standby and continue to monitor roads, low-lying bridges, river crossings and other vulnerable areas.

⚠️ Road-user safety remains the Department’s top priority. Motorists and communities are urged to remain vigilant and never attempt to cross flooded roads or overflowing streams where the depth or strength of the water cannot be determined.

The MEC also highlighted concerns regarding the impact of repeated rainfall on infrastructure already damaged during flooding earlier this year. Technical teams will assess whether previously identified damage has deteriorated and determine whether additional sections of the road network have been affected.

The Department will conduct comprehensive assessments once conditions allow safe access to affected areas. Only after these assessments have been completed and verified will the financial implications of the latest rainfall be determined.

MEC Vass further noted that the Provincial Government continues to engage with National Government regarding support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-damaged infrastructure.

The Department remains committed to responding to urgent infrastructure needs, restoring critical road networks and ensuring safe and reliable access for communities across the Northern Cape.

05/09/2026

⚠️ ROAD CLOSURE ALERT: JTG DISTRICT.

The Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works alerts motorists that DR3475 at Metswetsaneng in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District has been temporarily closed due to flooding.

The closure follows the overflowing of the Metswetsaneng crossing due to rainfall experienced in the area.

The Department's standby team has closed the affected section of the road as a precautionary safety measure, particularly as motorists may not be able to accurately assess the depth and strength of flowing water during the night.

Motorists and members of the public are strongly urged not to attempt to cross flooded roads, low-lying bridges or overflowing streams, and to obey all road closure signs.

Departmental teams are on standby and will continue monitoring identified high-risk roads and crossings across the affected areas, with further updates to be communicated as conditions develop.

05/09/2026

🚜 PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER NOTIFICATION: PROVINCIAL GRAVEL ROAD BLADING PROGRAMME 🚜

The Department of Roads and Public Works hereby informs communities, road users and all stakeholders of the planned gravel road blading programme across the Province's five districts.

👉 The infographics below outline the priority roads scheduled for blading during September month. These routes have been identified based on operational priorities, road conditions, safety and mobility for all road users.

⚠️ Please note: The programme is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as:
• Heavy rainfall and flooding
• Mechanical breakdowns of graders and
• Emergency maintenance on higher-priority roads.

The Department remains committed to maintaining the provincial gravel road network and appreciates the patience, cooperation and understanding of communities while this work is being carried out.

Together, we are building safer, better-connected communities.

05/09/2026

🌊 NAMAKWA DISTRICT: ADVANCING SPATIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PORT NOLLOTH AND HONDEKLIPBAAI

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works as well as the Richtersveldt Local Municipality will officially hand over the Spatial and Economic Development Frameworks (SEDFs) for Port Nolloth and Hondeklipbaai.

The handover will be led by the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, alongside MEC for Roads and Public Works, Bentley Vass and the Mayor of the Richtersveld Local Municipality, Cllr Cornell Knoph.

📅 Tuesday, 8 September 2026

⏰ 09:00

📍 Luvuyo Drop-In Centre, Port Nolloth

The SEDF's are an important step towards coordinated spatial planning, unlocking economic opportunities and supporting sustainable development in these coastal communities.

04/09/2026

MEC VASS CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT VISITS IN JOHN TAOLO GAETSEWE DISTRICT.

The MEC for Roads and Public Works, Mr Bentley Vass, continued his project oversight programme today, 4 September 2026, with visits to key infrastructure projects in the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) District.
The MEC visited the ongoing 42-kilometre Mmamathwane Road Construction Project, which has currently reached 65% completion and is scheduled for completion by January 2027.

Significantly, 13 kilometres of the road have already been completed and opened for use, allowing motorists and surrounding communities to begin benefiting from the improved road infrastructure while construction continues on the remaining sections.

MEC Vass expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project, noting the significant work undertaken to date and the positive impact it is having on surrounding communities.

To date, the project has created 72 employment opportunities and appointed 12 subcontractors from surrounding areas, contributing to local economic development, skills development and job creation.
The MEC also conducted an oversight assessment of the pothole repairs completed along Livingston Road in Kuruman, monitoring the progress of road maintenance interventions and their impact on road users and the local community.

The visits form part of MEC Vass's ongoing commitment to taking oversight to the ground, ensuring that road infrastructure projects are implemented effectively and that communities derive tangible benefits from government investment.

04/09/2026

🚧 MEC VASS DRIVES DELIVERY: OVERSIGHT OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION VALA ZONKE

📍 John Taolo Gaetsewe District | Friday, 4 September 2026

MEC for Roads and Public Works, Mr Bentley Vass, is taking oversight to the ground today as he assesses progress on the construction of the Mamathwane Road (MR938) and monitors the implementation of Operation Vala Zonke across the John Taolo Gaetsewe District.

The oversight programme underscores the Department’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure delivery, improving road conditions and strengthening service delivery to communities.

From major road construction to pothole repairs, the message is clear: delivery must be visible, responsive and impactful.

🚜 Infrastructure in action. Roads in progress. Service delivery on the ground.

03/09/2026

👉 RADIO INTERVIEW: MEC BENTLEY VASS REPORTS BACK ON OVERSIGHT VISIT IN JTG DISTRICT

[UPCOMING] MEC Bentley Vass will be live on Kurara FM today, providing feedback on his oversight visits to key infrastructure projects in the JTG District, as well as his engagement with traditional leaders on strengthening collaboration and addressing infrastructure priorities in the district.

📅 Date: Thursday, 3 September 2026

⏰ Time: 18h00

📻 Station: Kurara FM

Tune in and hear directly from MEC Bentley Vass as he takes oversight to the ground!