The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park recently received World Heritage status. To preserve this park, a decision was taken to relocate the South African Sani Pass Border Control Port of Entry, which is currently located in the middle of the park. This port of entry will serve as the entrance to the World Heritage Site. Virtual Consulting Engineers is spearheading the consortium appointed by the Department of Public Works (DPW) to develop the R240 million port of entry, which will include tourism-related facilities and 77 residential units.

The project entails bulk earthworks, multi-disciplinary engineering services and built facilities to the extent of 7000 m². To ensure ultimate utilisation of the terrain, the site level will be increased to form a platform above a 1:100 year flood line. Water for the port of entry will be extracted from the Mkhomazana River. A particular challenge is wastewater, which will be treated on-site by means of an advanced treatment process that will ensure purified effluent to return to the river in compliance with standards set by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF).

The project poses considerable environmental and geotechnical challenges and will, once completed, be a model port of entry, showcasing technology that will enable optimum use of natural resources such as energy and water.

The Sani Pass Consortium, led by Virtual Consulting Engineers, will provide the following infrastructural services:

• Roads and bulk earth works
• Storm water drainage
• Water supply and purification
• Wastewater treatment
• Water and sewerage reticulation systems
• Fencing
• Electricity reticulation and standby power
• Taxi ranks, vehicle processing and vehicle inspection buildings.

The topography of the new Sani Pass Port of Entry comprises mountain slopes and rock-fall areas, in addition to which more than 50% of the area available for development is beneath the 1:100 year flood line. The layout of the new port of entry had to be performed in close collaboration between the engineers and architects in order to make optimal use of view areas, slopes and elevations.