Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport

05/09/2026

03/09/2026

COMPLETED UPGRADING OF ROAD D2274 | TLP OVERSIGHT

Today, MEC Thulasizwe Thomo and Members of the Provincial Legislature visited the completed upgrading of Road D2274 and the two bridges implemented by the Department in Hendrina.

The oversight visit forms part of the Taking Legislature to the People (TLP) programme, which includes oversight visits to various projects within the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

It was encouraging visit to witness the successful completion of this critical road infrastructure project, with motorists and heavy trucks now fully utilising the upgraded road.

Road D2274 is a key coal haul route linking the N11 to D1398 north of Hendrina and serving major industries in the area, including the Arnot Power Station.

The completion of this project represents an important investment in road infrastructure, improving mobility, supporting economic activity and strengthening the movement of goods and people within the Local Municipality.

03/09/2026

02/09/2026

200 YOUNG PEOPLE ENROLLED IN MPUMALANGA REAL ESTATE LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME

The Mpumalanga Provincial Government today launched the Real Estate Learnership Programme in Middelburg, within the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

The launch was attended MEC Thulasizwe Thomo and the Minister of Human Settlements, Ms Thembi Simelane, who delivered the keynote address, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Ms Ramaili, and the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Services SETA, Mr Dhladhla.

The programme is regarded as a critical initiative in the government’s efforts to empower young people through skills development and create pathways to sustainable economic participation.

A total of 200 unemployed young people from the Ehlanzeni, Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts have been enrolled in the programme, which will run for a period of 12 to 18 months.

During the learnership, participants will acquire valuable theoretical knowledge complemented by work-integrated learning, mentorship and regulatory licensing. This combination of classroom-based learning and practical experience designed to equip young people with the skills and competencies required to pursue careers and opportunities within the real estate sector.

The Real Estate Learnership Programme is a youth empowerment initiative aimed at repositioning young people to participate meaningfully in the economic activities of the province. The real estate sector presents numerous opportunities, and the knowledge, practical experience and professional exposure gained through the programme will help prepare learners to take advantage of these opportunities.

The programme is the result of a partnership between the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Services SETA and the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

Public Hearing | Service Delivery Issues & Responses

Today, MEC Thulasizwe Thomo joined Members of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature as part of the week-long Taking Legislature to the People programme in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

The public hearing was held at Themba Sinamela Stadium in Mhluzi, where community members had the opportunity to raise concerns and challenges relating to service delivery. Responses and interventions were provided to address the issues raised by communities.

MEC Thomo said "We will continue participating in the various programmes scheduled throughout the week, including Stakeholder Engagements and oversight visits to projects undertaken by the Department within the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality."

These engagements provide an important platform for communities to voice their concerns and ensure that service delivery priorities are addressed.

01/09/2026

CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD FROM COTTONDALE TO MANYELETI GATE COMMENCES

The rehabilitation of Road D3930, from the junction of Road D3932 in Cottondale (KM 0,00 to KM 12,0) to Manyeleti Gate, has officially commenced.

To mark the start of this long-awaited project, MEC Thulasizwe Thomo conducted a ceremonial sod-turning which was held in Cottondale in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality.

This forms part of ongoing engagements with the Municipality and the local community to ensure project readiness and that all necessary measures are in place for the successful implementation of the project.

The commencement of this rehabilitation has been eagerly awaited by the community. The project is expected to create employment opportunities for local residents and provide opportunities for local SMMEs to participate and benefit from the project.

This project represents a significant investment in infrastructure and community development, bringing us one step closer to safer, improved and more reliable road connectivity between Cottondale and Manyeleti Gate.

30/08/2026

Home Cottondale Village ! !

28/08/2026

Government Drives the Empowerment of Women in Construction

The Mpumalanga Provincial Government is strengthening its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for women in the construction sector, with the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, under the leadership of MEC Thulasizwe Thomo, demonstrating measurable progress in advancing women-owned enterprises.

MEC Thomo, who served as Acting Premier of the Province today, led the Department’s participation in the Women in Construction Dialogue held at the Nkangala District Municipality Council Chamber. He was joined by MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation Leah Mabuza, Mpumalanga Director-General Maggie Skosana and Nkangala District Executive Mayor Cllr Thomas Ngwenya, reflecting the collective commitment of the Province’s leadership to transforming the construction sector.
Held under the theme, “Building Inclusive Infrastructure and Expanding Opportunities for Women,” the dialogue provided a platform for government and industry stakeholders to assess progress since the 2025 Women in Construction Dialogue and strengthen accountability towards resolutions aimed at increasing women’s participation in the sector.

For the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, this commitment is reflected in tangible results. During the 2025/26 financial year, the Department awarded 45% of its contracts to women-owned enterprises, and this momentum has continued into the 2026/27 financial year. In the first quarter alone, the proportion increased to 57%, signalling deliberate efforts to open procurement opportunities and ensure that women participate meaningfully in the construction value chain.

The progress is mirrored across government, with the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) increasing its share of contracts awarded to women-owned enterprises from 32% in 2025/26 to 42% in the first quarter of 2026/27.

The dialogue further emphasised that transformation must extend beyond numbers. While increased procurement opportunities are important, the long-term objective is to build sustainable, competitive and resilient women-owned construction enterprises that can grow, create employment and contribute meaningfully to Mpumalanga’s economy.

Through continued access to procurement, development finance, mentorship, skills development and enterprise support, government is working to remove barriers that have historically limited women’s participation in construction.

The progress made by Public Works, Roads and Transport demonstrates that empowering women is not merely a policy aspiration, but an ongoing commitment backed by measurable action. As government continues to invest in infrastructure, it is equally committed to ensuring that women are positioned not only as beneficiaries of development, but as active participants and key contributors to building Mpumalanga’s future.