Two Afrikaner women, Sarie Pretorius (39) and Jolien Coetser (32) ,both employed by the North West provincial government, led the pack of 20 professional drivers who received cash awards to the tune of R78 000 from North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa last Friday.
Forty five public permit holders from the public transport system, government and transport companies were also awarded certificates of recognition as road safety ambassadors by MEC Yawa at the Driver Skills Enhancement programme awards ceremony held at the Mmabatho Hotel.
The overall winners in the female bus and lady drivers, panel van, rigid and trailer truck, articulated truck and male bus driver categories received whopping R5 000 cash prizes each, while the second and the third prize winners scooped R3 500 and R2 750 respectively.
Pretorius won the Lady Bus category of the Driver Skills Enhancement programme and represented the province at the 2009 national Driver of the Year competition. The mother of three obtained her code 14 heavy duty drivers license in 1989. She is employed as a paramedic by the Department of Health and Social Services.
Coetser, mother of one six year old boy won the Lady Driver category. She is employed as a transport officer by the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport.
In his keynote speech delivered at the ceremony, MEC Yawa said that the annual programme is aimed at educating, developing and motivating heavy motor vehicle drivers to be the best in what they do and for them to understand the heavy responsibility entrusted upon them with regard to road safety and their contribution to the economy of the province.
The programme feeds into the national process for the Driver of the Year (DOTY) competition coordinated by the national Department of Transport through the Road Traffic Corporation Management (RTMC).
"The long term aim of this programme is to promote driver education in the province, improve standards of driving and ultimately reduce the resultant road accidents," said Yawa, adding that advanced driving skills play a meaning role in curbing future road carnages.
A further 25 drivers received the certificate of recognition for participating in the annual competition.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9123
E-mail: lkgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Province
