The N2 toll road in the Pondoland region is to go ahead, despite calls from various stakeholders that it should be suspended or cancelled.

The proposed route will cover the route between Port St Johns and Port Edward.

However, the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) says that regardless of “what is said, the project has to take place”, a view supported by Port St John’s residents, local business people and local government officials.

Ndwalane is one of the five locations which will be affected by the road but local councillor Sizwe Nadabeni says that “the project has to take off sooner than later, for the sake of our people who are starving”.

Work for locals weights more heavily than the possibility that some homes may be removed to make way for the new toll road.

Ndabeni says that “whoever says that the development must not take place has never slept on an empty stomach not knowing if he or she will eat the following day”.

Local businessman Richard Harvey says that “it can’t be disputed that the development will improve the economic plight of the ailing Pondoland region”.

It is expected that the area will be made more accessible to tourists and create about 16 000 jobs.