Media Statement: Kwazulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Bheki Cele, at the launch of Provincial Transport Month

2 October 2007

It gives me great pleasure to address the media today marking the official launch of KwaZulu-Natal transport month and I wish to thank you all for attending. The transport month campaign is not just a campaign that will solely benefit the department of transport but it requires a partnership from all role players in the transport sector including the media. In ensuring that we all strive for a common goal of creating a better life for all by making sure that our programmes, policies and strategies are aimed at defending the weak in all sectors of transport.

It is indeed the first time that I address the media to launch transport month campaign at a taxi rank. The last time I was in this vicinity was when 10 people from Chesterville were killed after a truck from Limpopo province lost control not far from the robot (traffic lights) where a number of pedestrians were crossing the road.

The significance of our meeting here today realizes our pledge and commitment to our mandate of ensuring safety of the citizens of this province and in keeping to the ideals of defending the weak. More than 60% of the country¡¦s population use public transport to commute daily to and from work, therefore taxi ranks becomes the basic infrastructure that caters for the greater part of our society.

The transport month campaign of 2005 was the beginning of a journey to position and promote public transport as an effective and efficient mode of transport. This year¡¦s campaign is aimed at accelerating the pace of work that has been done throughout the year in improving our transport systems.

The year 2007 has been dedicated to pedestrian safety and therefore all our campaigns are geared towards ensuring a reduction in pedestrian fatalities and to further ensure safety of all road users. The previous year¡¦s statistics have shown an increase in pedestrian fatalities which is caused by jaywalking, crossing freeways and drinking and walking. The department has embarked on a successful campaign in partnership with the soccer fraternity in targeting football fans who are mostly pedestrians and public transport commuters. The campaign is aimed at pushing forward the message of pedestrian safety.

Let me take his opportunity and thank the representatives from the football fraternity for being here today and for their continued support for road safety. Ladies and gentlemen this year¡¦s transport month has also received support from the prominent radio personalities from Ukhozi FM, Gagasi FM, Lotus FM and East Cost Radio as transport ambassadors.

After the media launch today, the department will embark on a school visit to KwaMashu - Ngqabakazulu High School, in Chatsworth - Monterano High School and in Umlazi - Ekwazini High School. The ambassadors will sponsor bursary funds for engineering students, donate computers and provide internship and invest in skills development for a student interested in the Journalism and media studies. The department will further engage learners through road safety progammes particularly in promoting safety of learners as pedestrians.

„« Public Transport

Public transport forms an integral part of transport month. As the department of transport in KwaZulu-Natal we have set high targets in ensuring that we change our public transport systems for the better. We have highlighted the fact that our public transport future and prosperity is integrally tied to our economy¡¦s future and prosperity. A s well as emphasizing the role of public transport in the development of communities and the importance of partnerships between government and civil society in building a reliable transport system.

On the 13th of October the department will officially launch the long awaited Public Transport Passenger Association at Empangeni. This is aimed at establishing forums in promoting partnership between government, commuters and public transport operators. The organized Public Transport service providers will now be able to engage with passengers in a formal and organized way so as to ensure that common values and objectives are identified for mutual benefit of operators and passengers and ultimately for the general good of our economy.

„« Road Safety

Road safety is everybody¡¦s responsibility and therefore community participation in road safety programmes is crucial. Hence today the department is officially launching the Road Safety Music Competition with the aim of promoting pedestrian safety and to give aspiring artists the opportunity to create their own music while educating the community about pedestrian safety.

Ladies and gentlemen the music competition has received enormous support from the recording companies who are present here today. The success of this project will contribute significantly to the growth and development of the communities in support of road safety hence productive partnership is fundamental.

„« Transport Infrastructure projects

Improvements in transport infrastructure play a vital role in the economic development of the country particularly as we are setting our targets for 2010 and beyond. On the 19th of October, the National Minister Jeff Radebe and 12 Ministers of Transport from the SADC Region will join us in Bergville for the official opening of OKhombe and Tonyelani Bridges. The construction of Tonyelani Bridge comes after six school children were washed away by floods thus the department made a commitment to the school children that they will never be victims of floods ever again.

In conclusion the department will be giving away 4 personalized number plates to those who will buy and pay for a personalized number as from today until the end of October and they will be automatically be entered into a lucky draw to own a further personalized number for that second vehicle. The draw will take place on the 1st of November 2007.

I certainly hope that the media will join us in witnessing the true meaning of service delivery in transport under the theme ¡§Transport the Heartbeat of South Africa¡¦s Economic growth and Social Development¡¨¡¨

I thank you

Issued by the Office of the MEC
Media contact: Nonkululeko Mbatha ¡V 083 645 6252
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