The Amandletu Bridge had long been a vital link for the Amaoti Inanda Community, enabling students, teachers, and community members to access their school, healthcare, and other essential services. However, the catastrophic KwaZulu Natal floods in April 2022 wreaked havoc on the region, causing the bridge to be washed away.

In the wake of these devastating floods the community of was left disconnected from their school, clinic and a home for the elderly. Recognizing the urgency to restore connectivity and ensure the safety of the community, a resilient solution has emerged as the eThekwini Municipality flood relief project. The Qajana Group was awarded the task of rebuilding the bridge. The collaborative effort of eThekwini Municipality and local businesses showcases the commitment to restoring essential infrastructure and ensuring the safety and connectivity of the residents.

Reinforced Concrete: Building a Resilient Structure

Mr Shezi, a managing member of the Qajana Group spoke of the many challenges faced during the rebuilding period. The biggest challenge was water. Apart from the constant waterflow and heavy rainfall experienced in the area, a river that runs parallel to the bridge had to be diverted using sheet piling.

Steel sheet piles are long structural sections of sheet steel with vertically interlocking edges that are driven into the ground. Sheet piles provide earth retention and excavation support. Sheet piles are most commonly made of steel, but can also be formed of timber and reinforced concrete. This type of piling system is commonly used for retaining walls, land reclamation, underground structures, such as car parks and basements, and in marine locations for riverbanks, seawalls and so on. Their exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and ease of installation make them a reliable choice for withstanding the forces exerted by potential future floodwaters.

The superstructure of the bridge is being constructed using reinforced concrete, further enhancing its strength and resilience. Reinforced concrete combines the compressive strength of concrete with high tensile strength of steel reinforcement bars (rebar) to create a highly durable material capable of withstanding heavy loads and extreme conditions.

NJR Steel: A Foundation of Strength

Around 100 tons of steel is being used in the project and is being supplied by the NJR Steel Durban branch. The involvement and reliability of NJR Steel Durban, a reputable steel supplier committed to exceptional service delivery and high-quality products, has strengthened their view of growing sustainable businesses that create job opportunities and generate long-term value resulting in local economic growth.

The Inanda Amaoti township is a vibrant and culturally rich community. Despite limited access to many basic amenities, the people of Inanda have shown remarkable strength in striving for progress and development. Local labour is being used for the project which has created much-needed employment and skills development. 

The reconstruction of the bridge has been an uplifting and unifying force, and a testament to the spirit of collaboration between local businesses and the community. This effort serves to remind us that even in the face of natural disasters, we can build back stronger and create a brighter, more resilient future together.