Address by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Honourable Ms Lydia Sindisiwe Chikunga on the occasion of the Budget Vote 35 Old National Assembly, Cape Town, 23 May 2017
Honourable Chairperson / Speaker
Honourable Minister of Transport: Mr Joe Maswanganyi Honourable Members of Parliament
Distinguished guests Fellow South Africans
Introduction
Chairperson;
As team Transport, we unapologetically remain the conduit of trade, the heartbeat of an effective radical economic transformation; the very core of our country, the region and the continent’s prosperity. Transport is the locus, the very nerve centre and the heartbeat of South Africa’s socio-economic development.
We are a global player, fully immersed in our position in the family of nations. In policy we are comprehensive; in legislation we are sound; in implementation we are robust, in challenges we are durable, hands-on and tough, in achievements we excel like no other, driven by one conviction to give our people a better life and cement a South Africa that is democratic, prosperous, non-racial, non- sexist, and united as envisioned by OR Tambo.
Fellowship;
The Department of Transport is an infrastructure department. Our infrastructure Programme is multi-pronged and all-encompassing of the different transport modes. We have airspace infrastructure (Civil Aviation), Oceans Infrastructure (Maritime), Land Infrastructure that includes Rail and Roads.
The Maritime Agenda
Chairperson;
For the very first time in South Africa, we now have an approved comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy which seeks to unleash and catalyse the various interventions under the Operation Phakisa Oceans Economy Programme.
For the 2017/18 we have allocated R13 000 000 to assist SAMSA in its operations and implementation of Maritime Transport and Manufacturing initiatives.
We are making headways to ensure that we have a solid oceans infrastructure.
In Port Elizabeth, we boast of a fully effective offshore bunkering station infrastructure, which started its economic activities in April 2016 with only two vessels that purchased bunker oil.
Today it has seen more than 1100 vessels needing bunkering services that would normally by pass South Africa. The bunkering can be compared to an ultra-city on land but located in our very own ocean.
To promote safety in Inland waterways; we have submitted before Cabinet the Inland Waterways Strategy. By this we will control and regulate all the boat activities in approximately 60 000 dams and 23 large rivers to curb the recurring accidents and incidents. This will also ensure that inland waterways become a safe and accountable marine tourism and leisure sector.
In support of the Maritime growth and competitiveness, the Port Regulator completed major studies on;
- Port Tariff Benchmarking;
- South African Ports Benchmarking; and
- Analysis of Terminal Operator Standards
The Ports Regulator was awarded a Clean Audit Certificate in 2015/16 by the Auditor-General second time running since its establishment.
Rail safety
Honourable Members;
In South Africa we have a Rail Safety Regulator (RSR), established in terms of the Act. There is no train that can operate on South African Railways without due safety compliance approval from the Rail Safety Regulator.
According to the Safety Report of 2nd December 2015, all new trains that have come to the country have all received a stamp of railway safety approval and this includes all technological advance systems.
So the tail-tales being told about the new trains on the railway revitalisation programme not meeting safety compliance standards is indeed a figment of imagination of some among us.
Chairperson; to the extent that this is the case, the RSR has established a radically advanced Train Drivers accreditation programme, which today has licensed 130 train drivers.
This programme serves the accreditation and certification of safety critical localised products and programmes.
Regional rail safety Integration as an enabler for effective regional trade is among the apex agenda matters of the government of the African National Congress, and it is one of the issues to be discussed further at the Southern African Railways Association Conference, hosted by the RSR from tomorrow 24-25 May 2017, in Johannesburg.
The Road Traffic Infringement Agency
Honourable Members;
In all our efforts what drives us is to better the lives of our people by taking service delivery right at the door steps of South African citizens.
To this end, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency has spent R11 000 000 million to establish mobile AARTO offices for education and awareness on both AARTO and Road Safety related activities and these offices will be accessible to both urban and rural areas.
The results from pilot studies conducted, show that AARTO and the implementation of the De-merit system are effective in curbing the carnage on our roads.
The time is now to roll-out AARTO and the De-merit System nationwide in order to fight road carnage. For the roll-out of AARTO a transfer of approximately R18 000 000 has been made for this financial year.
RTIA also has embarked on a Youth Enterprise Development programme, which seeks to create 1920 enterprises, on a distribution of 10 enterprises in each of the 192 municipalities.
Women Empowerment
Honourable Members;
As part of many Women Empowerment Programmes, in 2017/18 financial year, the South African Network of Women in Transport (SANWIT) under the Department of Transport will host a National Elective Conference. We will continue to intensify our efforts to ensure access to business opportunities for SMMEs.
Chairperson;
It is worth noting that the Department of Transport Wellness Unit has produced a comprehensive HIV/AIDS Strategy which encompasses all modes of transport.
This Strategy is critical in ensuring that we have a healthy and supported transport work force. We congratulate the DoT Employee Wellness Team for this excellent work.
Civil aviation
Taking it to the skies, South Africa through the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) has and controls ten percent (10%) of the world’s air space.
This 10% South Africa’s airspace is equivalent to 22 million square kilometres, making it one of the largest airspaces in the world controlled by one country.
On airspace infrastructure for 2017/18, to mention just two projects, ATNS has budgeted R131, 480, 500, to introduce the next generation of the Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (MEOSAR) satellite system, into the Cospas-Sarsat system. As well as the Space-based ADS-B Technology which will enhance air traffic and navigation service provisions of ATNS.
ACSA
The approval of ACSA Business Development Strategy enables the organisation to proactively grow its international footprint. ACSA has been appointed to provide project management advisory services for ground lighting and the new terminal projects for Kotaka International Airport in Ghana.
We are indeed pleased that ACSA continues to make South Africa proud in the world of airports management.
On the world assessment of quality of Airport Infrastructure conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Honourable Members, ACSA ranked number 10 out of 138 world countries audited.
SACAA
SACAA is currently developing regulations for licensing of small and large aerodromes and private airstrips, especially those used for commercial purposes. For the 2017/18 financial year, SACAA will receiveR22 million.
SACCA still holds a record of zero accidents record in the area of commercial aviation. For general aviation SACAA has since adopted the Cross-Reduction Accident Reduction Plan which is envisaged to yield 40% - 45% reduction in number of accidents. We have seen a steady decrease in general aviation incidents from 29 in 2014 to 20 in 2016.
Again Honourable Members;
The Auditor-General has for the fourth year running conferred a Clean Audit Award to the SACAA. This achievement attests to the effective controls and good governance of the Entity.
Honourable members;
As the Honourable Minister stated the overall 86,3% achieved on the ICAO audit, which is an A+ achievement does not surprise us, as I said before we are a global player, fully immersed in our position in the family of nations.
After the last week’s ICAO Audit, the leader of the ICAO Audit Team, Mr Harry Gwoji said and I quote:
‘In my 18 years of Auditing the Aviation Sector, I have not seen so much of accuracy in the Portfolio of Evidence responding to all matters of legislation, organisation, accident and incident investigation. I have been auditing this sector globally; South Africa has far surpassed our expectations as this Audit Team.’ Close quote.
No wonder, Mr Gwiji said this; out of the eight audited areas, we received 100% in both Civil Aviation Organisational Structure and Primary Aviation Legislation and Specific Operating Regulations as well as on the aviation medicine sub- sector.
He further indicated that some of South Africa’s systems and methods will be used as benchmark when auditing other countries.
We immensely appreciate the sterling work performed by SACAA Board, management and Staff and other stakeholders including the ATNS, Denel, Solenta Aviation and The South African Airlink for their contribution in making sure that we receive a first class distinction ICAO Audit outcome without any Significant Safety Concern.
We further applaud the firm and resolute commitment of all our twelve CEOs who continuously fly South Africa’s flag very high in the nations of the world.
Through their serving SA impeccably both domestically and in multilateral organisations, some have received recognition from the people of the world and have been elected to serve in very strategic and influential positions, which raise the stature of South Africa to be among the international pool of experts.
For instance our one and only female CEO Ms Poppy Khoza, Mr Bongani Maseko, Mr Thabani Mthiyani and Mr Nkululeko Poya are chairpersons and presidents of international aviation and rail multilateral organisations.
Skills Development and Transformation
Chairperson;
Transport is serious about the transformation, skills development and socio- economic emancipation of women.
In our midst we acknowledge the presence of the first four Women Master-Mariners in the entire continent of Africa (A Master-Mariner is equivalent a Boeing pilot in aviation), can they please rise.
We are also graced by students who are pilots and others studying aeronautical engineering, (can they also rise) and rail safety inspectors (please rise) selected from both rural and urban areas who have been given opportunities to study and change the face and the slowly transforming transport sector.
Chairperson;
Allow me, as I conclude, to extend my appreciation to our former Minister Ms Dipuo Peters and our current Minister, Honourable Joe Maswanganyi for their patriotic, comradely and revolutionary leadership.
We further appreciate the support and guidance of the Provincial MECs, Chairperson and Members of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, The Ministry, the Acting DG Mathabatha and the entire Department of Transport as well as our Boards and State Owned Entities.
Let’s never forget our mandate:
We are global players, an influential member in the family of Nations. Neither the skies nor the seas not even the vastness of our land can limit our strides as we face challenges head-on to move South Africa to a Radical Economic Transformed nation.
We are and will always be the A plus sector.
Siyaqhuba!
I thank you.
