North-West University (NWU) academic and professor in chemistry, Prof Lebo Seru, has praised the Department of Transport’s announcement that they will be embarking on a pioneering plan to reinforce collapsing roads in the North West province through the innovative application of nanotechnology.

The department has committed to launching a pilot programme that will harness the potential of nanotechnology to transform road construction, enhance road surfaces and curb water seepage.

“Nanotechnology products are commercially available in various industries. There has been a growing interest in advanced nanomaterials for road construction engineering in recent years. This is due to their fascinating properties, which manipulate molecules and atoms to accomplish increased functioning of existing material properties, thus leading to possible problem-solving methods in road construction,” says Prof Lebo.

She adds that the nanotechnology-based solution presents a promising opportunity to address some of South Africa’s pressing road challenges.

“Research suggests that nanotechnology can extend the lifespan of roads, mitigating the need for constant repairs and reducing damage caused by overloading - an issue that plagues the country's roadways.”

While the exact details of the pilot programme remain undisclosed, the urgent need to revamp South Africa's road infrastructure is undeniable. The country's provincial and municipal roads have fallen into disrepair, characterised by potholes and decay due to years of neglect and insufficient maintenance.

One contributing factor to the road crisis is the collapse of the rail infrastructure, which has forced a significant portion of freight transportation from rail to road. Criminal activity and neglect have taken a toll on the once-thriving rail network, further burdening the already strained road system.

Prof Lebo Seru.