Ndudi Anyim
The South Africa (SA), Army Engineer Formation has handed over three bailey bridges to the community of Ekhamanzi, Greytown in Kwazulu-Natal Province.
The bridges were commissioned by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia de Lille accompanied by Chief Director SA Army Force Structure, Major General Sandile Goodwill Hlongwa and other dignitaries.
Security Watch Africa reports that the newly constructed three bailey bridges will serve as a gateway that will enable the community members of the municipality to have access to basic services such as schools, clinics, shops and other areas that were inaccessible especially during the times of rainy seasons.
The SA Army Engineer Formation is best known for building bridges across destitute communities in the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal Provinces.
The newly appointed SA Army Engineer Formation, General Officer Commanding, Brigadier General Andries Mokoena Mahap said: “It came as no surprise as deployed forces finished the tasks on time. This heroism victory is led by an enthusiastic young Captain in the SA Army Engineer Formation, Captain Innocent Mbongiseni Makhaza and his dedicated team.
“The deployment of 121 members is a year journey that started from April 27, 2020 to date, just like any other deployment the members also were faced with various challenges such as terrain negotiability, rainy season that delayed the progress and also they had to rehabilitate the roads at mission area of responsibility for their own advantage.
“These unpleasant encounters did not deter the soldiers from reaching the desired tasks required by the organisation, with soldiering and engineering spirit in heart and soul they carried on like true Sappers and completed three bailey bridges in time.”
He further said: “Building of bridges is a call for humanity, access to essential services is a necessity in the democratic society, as this month the Country is celebrating Human Right day, let us sing in jubilation together with the community of Ekhamanzi community and let’s not forget the sweat of every Sapper that contributed to the construction of the bailey bridges.”
It was learnt that the completion of these three bailey bridges is part of the continuous project of a total of thirteen bridges that must be constructed by the SA Army Engineer Formation in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.