Members of Executive Council
Members of the Provincial Legislature
Executive Mayors and Councillors
Stakeholders of the Transport Fraternity
Representatives from all spheres of Government
Members of the Media
Ladies and gentleman
Distinguished guests
Program Director
Transport is vital to our way of life, connecting people with jobs, schools, shops, friends and family. Transport Month provides us with a time to reflect on our behaviour on the roads, to do more to ensure road safety, to support public transport and cut down traffic and pollution.
Road safety is a responsibility of all South Africans, the success of the road safety campaigns will undoubtedly depend on the role played by all stakeholders.
Government alone cannot win this war, no matter how much resources are invested into the road safety campaign.
In the Northern Cape, from January to September we had 151 fatalities on our roads, although numerous road blocks (271) and speed operations (1126) were conducted. Yes, it is an improvement on last year’s figure, but more still needs to be done to curb the unnecessary loss of lives and ensure that we create safer roads across the Northern Cape.
One of the challenges we face relates to the lack of courtesy in our roads. In addition to improving the visibility of traffic police on our roads, road users must all take responsibility. A new consciousness is needed to inculcate the culture of courtesy on our roads, and this should be driven by all stakeholders, and cannot be left at the hands of government alone.
Almost all sectors of our economy use roads to transport goods across the country.
A significant amount of goods are transported by road and this will continue to increase until we make necessary interventions, more pressure will be exerted on the current road infrastructure and will lead to further congestion.
The transport sector is a significant enabler of economic growth and social development, and we must promote the continued and sustained investments by government and the private sector across the four modes of transport namely: road, rail, maritime and aviation.
The Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison is intensifying its 365 Days of Road Safety programmes aligned with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety global campaign with a robust action plan during this October Transport Month 2015.
We urge motorists, pedestrians, commuters and cyclist to adhere to the rules on our roads by:
- Not to drive intoxicated
- Buckle up
- Be visible all the time, if possible wear reflective clothes
- Avoid using any distractions, example cellphone
- Be alert and aware of other road users
- Obey the speed limit and remain patient on our roads
- Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy.
In conclusion ladies and gentlemen, South Africa's future lies in being able to move people and goods faster, efficiently and in a cost effective manner.
We can only succeed in this venture if all of us work together; government across all tiers, business big and small, civil society and all formations of our people. We require more dedication, hard work, cooperation and a continued willingness to learn and to sustain delivery.
The significance of the launching transport month with this event is that we will be encouraging all people to make more use of non-motorised transport for the duration of Transport month.
Our comprehensive programme for Transport month includes:
- Law enforcement campaigns;
- Enhancing non-motorised transport by distributing animal drawn carts and bicycles;
- Ensuring the safe transportation of learners;
- Support women empowerment initiative in the transport industry;
- Exposing learners to careers in the transport industry and road safety awareness campaigns.
In time our country will be able to move from being a developing country to being called, rightfully so, a developed country. I therefore declare the 2015 October Transport Month in the Province officially open.
I thank you.
