Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT)

The Pothole Eradication Programme (PEP), a partnership between CUT and the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads, and Transport (FSDCSRT), has achieved tangible improvements in road infrastructure and community livelihoods. Since its launch in November 2023, the programme has repaired over 300,000 m² of roads across all five districts of the Free State, directly enhancing safety, decreasing accidents, and lowering vehicle operating costs for motorists. At the same time, it has created more than 650 jobs, prioritising women-headed households, youth, and individuals with disabilities. Through accredited training programmes, participants have gained nationally recognised skills in road maintenance, supporting poverty alleviation and long-term employability. The programme exemplifies a model of integrating academic research, technological innovation, and community empowerment to tackle urgent infrastructure issues in South Africa.