Sani Pass to have Gravel Upgrade

THE controversial plan to upgrade the rugged Sani Pass route to Lesotho and the Roof Of Africa has been approved, but the scenic adventure road will not be tarred. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism confirmed that it had approved plans (on 2 July 2013) to up-grade the final 19km long section leading to the Lesotho border post over the next three years. The department has also authorised plans to upgrade the storm-water drainage system and retaining walls along the route to reduce sand and gravel erosion.

The Key factors influencing the decision to re - gravel the Sani Pass were: (1)The Sani Pass Road transects the uKhlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage site. (2) The main contributing factor for the degradation of the Sani Pass is the poor storm water drainage system which is unable to cope with excessive water flows and the runoff erodes the surface of the road.. (3) The alternative of a tar or concrete surface would have a “deleterious impact on tour operators and lodging facilities in the area. Tour operators based in Underberg were “really pleased” with the decision.A regular Sani Pass Tour driver said “I was always surprised that they (the authorities) even considered tarring the Sani Pass because it has 386 species on it and is a World Heritage site!” Torin Pfotenhauer ( a geologist) told the Mountain Echo that “The sense of place is very important to me so I support the decision.”

The next important issue is to keep the name Kwa Sani for our district as it has international recognition and a lot of money and time has been spent establishing the name.