BIG BEND ROADS ARE TERRIBLE

Sir,

The April edition of GO! Magazine runs a generally pleasing article on tourism in our country, well and accurately written. 

In several instances, reference is made to the Swaziland road works. On page 34 they write, “the landscape flattens out in the Swaziland Lowveld and roads are pockmarked with potholes”.

On page 37, roads are described as ‘generally good but progressively worse the further south-east you go. 

Inflated

Make sure your spare wheel has a good tyre and is properly inflated, especially around Big Bend.  
Those of us who live in the area will know that to be no understatement when it comes to the Big Bend – Lukhula road, which has been the subject of several letters to your publication in recent times.

Periodic attempts by the Roads Department at patching the offending potholes are hugely helpful but unfortunately only small sections are repaired at a time, with lengthy periods of time elapsing in between. 
As an ongoing patch job, surely this type of simple and low tech operation could not be an excessive strain on the department’s budget, notwithstanding the present tough economic climate? 

Important

However, the road in question is undoubtedly one of the most important in the country, since it connects Swaziland to South Africa and Mozambique.

One hopes that the minister has re-tarring of roads on her radar and that the funding can be found soon to enable renovation of this most vital route. 

With the Easter season approaching, our country will lose many friends because of the condition of this road.

T. Purcell

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