ArcelorMittal supports farmers’ efforts to fix Memel Road

As a main road connecting the Free State and Gauteng with Newcastle, the Memel Road and its drivability hold great importance in the lives of countless people and businesses. However, as all who have dared venture along this road will attest, the state of the Memel Road has transformed into an obstacle course for motorists due to the lack of maintenance over the years.

This lack of maintenance has resulted in potholes becoming trenches and sections of road barely driveable. Thankfully, due to the sheer necessity for a solution various entities have stepped up to address this age old problem.

Chatting with Newcastillian News, ArcelorMittal South Africa Newcastle Works has taken the initiative to donate 60 tonnes of cold mix tar to Memel farmers, who have taken it upon themselves to repair the deteriorated road.

Werner de Jager, a Memel farmer, explained that in 2021, farmers initiated efforts to fill potholes with gravel and donated tarmac to enhance road safety.

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However, while the project slowed down for a period, things are now looking up as the initiative has garnished immense support. Speaking with de Jager, he explained that he engaged with an employee from AMSA Newcastle Works, who escalated the matter within the organisation. This led to the involvement of the steel giant, and the project getting back underway due to the generous donation from ArcelorMittal.

“The donation will help us immensely, as the road is so bad that it is dangerous for trucks and cars to travel on,” emphasised de Jager.

Following the donation from ArcelorMittal, the farmers commenced repairs on the ailing road from Botha’s Pass, progressing gradually towards Memel on Friday, 22 September 2023.

Moreover, Willie Brits from AMSA explained that the steel giant originally engaged with the project under the guidance of former General Manager, Jacques Kotze, recognising the need to address the condition of Memel Road for safety purposes.

Getting involved with the farmers running the initiative, Brits explained that initially slag was donated. “We then sought a partner who would make cold mix tar, which led us to Ilanga Surfacing which has put some of the product on the N3.”

According to Brits, Ilanga produces the cold mix product on the AMSA premises, and it is created to meet the regulations for road use.

Highlighting AMSA’s focus on promoting road safety, Brits mentioned the 200 bags of cold mix tar recently donated to AfriForum Newcastle and the Newcastle Municipality’s pothole repair project, reflecting the company’s commitment to the community.

Now with the donation from ArcelorMittal to the Memel farmers set to significantly improve the condition of the Memel Road, de Jager pointed out that between 6km to 7km of potholes have already been addressed.

“We had hoped to reach Memel with the donations, but due to the conditions of the road, it doesn’t seem that we will,” said de Jager. He further highlighted that approximately another 15km needs to be done to fill up all the potholes from Botha’s Pass to Memel. Once this is done, the farmers will look at extending their work to ensure that the Memel Road is truly safe.

It is vital to note that the farmers are dedicating their own time and labour to fix the road. Therefore, they are seeking assistance from the community to complete this vital project. Individuals willing to contribute monetarily towards purchasing more tar can contact Izak Morkel on 073 122 1584.

Share your thoughts and opinions on this community driven initiative in the comment section below.