Safety and Liaison Bheki Cele at the Sod Turning ceremony at the Umzumbe
16 October 2007
Protocol observed
Since 2005, the month of October was declared as the National Transport
Month. On the 2nd of October, we launched our provincial plan for the month and
since then we have been moving up and down ensuring that our people are
sensitised to road safety issues among other things.
I am emphasising road safety here because it has become clear that there is
no use to build roads that will kill our people. We need to strengthen our road
safety awareness campaigns wherever we are, so that we build roads in order to
develop people, and not to kill them.
I am aware that some people say that they are tired of Cele, he talks too
much. Fortunately, I am not alone, but I am just one of the many ambassadors of
road safety in our province and indeed our country. Ambassadors of safety on
our roads are not only the many celebrities we work with, including soccer
stars and radio DJs. But our real road safety ambassadors are the members of
the bereaved families who carry the eternal scares of losing their loved-ones.
We know that people can better understand if the message is conveyed by their
role models of some kind. But my department has also produced a documentary
that shows our people, our mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers and
relatives and friends dead on the road. At least you can see it on DVD, we see
it live, not once, but many times.
Our commitment to promoting a safe road environment is precisely due to the
fact that the Department of Transport has a constitutional responsibility to
ensure that our people have a safe and reliable transport system in the
province. It is our duty to minimise carnage on our road through education and
enforcement. We have to work tirelessly to ensure that South Africa becomes a
better place for all and reducing unnecessary suffering on our roads is
fundamental.
Currently, my department is unlocking the economic shackles of the past by
means of innovative programmes that seek to address rural poverty. Our efforts
in trying to push back the frontiers of poverty are known everywhere.
The official openings and sod turnings that are held all over the province
highlight the very important task we set ourselves to change the lives of the
people of KwaZulu-Natal. The Zibambe road maintenance programme poverty
alleviation programme has become a household name in KwaZulu-Natal. This
programme is a role model poverty alleviation initiative for the rest of the
country.
My department does not make empty promises. The pledge we are making today
as we stage this Sod-turning ceremony today marks the beginning of road works
that will see Main Road 73 upgraded at the tune of R375 million. This road will
provide a direct link between Mtwalume / Sipofu and High flats. In addition to
this, it will provide a secondary link to St Faiths via D168. This will have
positive spin-offs with regards to the reduction in commuting costs and other
business developments.
So this main road is an important like for all communities under traditional
authorities of Amakhosi like Inkosi uLuthuli, iNkosi uQwabe, iNkosis uNdelu,
iNkosi uShiyabanye and iNkosi Ikhwezi Lokusa. Upgrading this road will improve
access to the existing 28 schools, four clinics and improve the quality of life
of a total population of approximately 30 000 people.
The construction of this road over a five-year-period will create a total of
375 000 job opportunities. The result is that those employed can be expected to
enhance their personal expenditure thus creating a multiplier effect in
economic growth.
The whole construction project will be unbundled to maximise construction
opportunities. Approximately 200 business opportunities will open up for the
department's emerging contract programme involved in various aspects of road
construction known as Vukuzakhe.
I am pleased to say that our Department is in constant liaison and
consultation with all communities through our Rural Road Transport Forums
(RRTFs), Projects Liaison Committees (PLCs), Community Road Safety Councils
(CRSCs), Public Transport Passenger Associations (PTPAs), bus and taxi
formations, local municipalities and other civil society structures.
This process of on-going consultation facilitates the identification of
transport needs and challenges, and it is on the basis of these that the
department is able to act from an informed position for the benefit of all the
people of our province.
There are millions of rand to be spent during the 2007/08 financial year in
building roads and causeways that will be built through the department's Port
Shepstone Cost Centre. Therefore, in addition to the construction of the Main
Road 73, the lives of the residents of this area will be improved through other
road infrastructural projects, and it is up to you to take maximum advantage of
these opportunities presented to you by your government.
In closing, as we head towards the forthcoming December holidays, I would
like to urge all our stakeholders to play a more active role in spreading the
message of road safety right down to grassroots level.
I would like to urge all road users to respect one another, pedestrians must
give the necessary respect to motorists, and vice-versa. Each and every death
on our roads is one too many, and that each and every death or serious injury
is a tragedy for the individuals, the families and communities, and for the
nation.
We must continue to strive to increase respect for human life, and treat
road carnage with the seriousness it deserves.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
16 October 2007
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kzntransport.gov.za)
