Programme for Heavy Duty Drivers at the Zwartkop, Centurion, Tshwane by
Minister of Transport Mr Jeff Radebe, MP
5 October 2006
Dr Hansgeorg Niefer â Daimler-Chrysler South Africa
Representatives from the Department of Labour
Department of Education and MERSATA
Transport industry representatives
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
We are gathered here to witness the launch of a very important programme in
the economy of South Africa. The launch of this learnership programme is
critical in the sense that South Africa is experiencing a serious shortage of
skills including driving skills. For both the public infrastructure and the
private investment programmes, the single greatest impediment is shortage of
skills â including professional skills such as engineers and scientists;
managers such as financial, personnel and project managers and skilled
technical employees such as artisans and information technology (IT)
technicians.
In the area of road haulage, Daimler-Chrysler has clearly identified the
need to train suitably skilled professional drivers. This shortage affects the
country in many ways. Drivers who are not suitably qualified are a danger to
other road users thus contributing to the high number of accidents and
fatalities on our roads.
So your programme is good in the sense that while it will improve
productivity in the road haulage industry it will also contribute to making our
roads safer. The Daimler-Chrysler Commercial Vehicle Driver Learnership
Programme offers an opportunity for the trucking industry and the Department of
Transport and other partners to accelerate the training of professional drivers
who spent their working hours on the roads.
The provision of this type of training will ensure the sustainability of the
industry as it is facing various challenges including the issue of HIV and
AIDS. Medical facilities are provided along major routes in order to raise the
level of awareness about the disease among truckers and also to assist those
affected by it. There is a high prevalence of the disease among truckers.
For this initiative to succeed we need strong participation by the private
sector in the field of skills development. This programme here is a good
example of private companies joining forces with various government departments
to improve the skills levels of workers especially in areas needed by the
economy.
In response to the need to address issues of reducing the cost of logistics
to the economy, enhancing the value of proposition that customers receive,
improving the quality of underlying asset base but also to ensure that social
and economic objectives are met within the freight logistics systems, last year
the Department of Transport launched the National Freight Logistics
Strategy.
In January this year more than 244 000 trucks were moving our country's
freight. In January alone 1 875 trucks were sold, this goes to show that our
road freight transport is indeed growing and playing an important role in the
economy.
In view of the role that transport plays in the economy the Transport
Lekgotla held in August 2006 approved the submission to Cabinet of the Road
Infrastructure Framework that aims to consolidate all aspects of road planning,
construction and maintenance across all spheres of government. The framework
includes proposals to reclassify the entire road system where the emphasis will
be on strategic economic roles and function. It also allows for more rational
definition of the roles and responsibilities of the different spheres of
government.
Transport Lekgotla also approved the 2010 Action Agenda for the Public
Transport Infrastructure development. R3.8 billion has been set-aside for this
purpose and is meant to leverage other funds available to develop public
transport infrastructure.
To enhance the Public transport Infrastructure, Lekgotla approved the
following:
* R2.6 billion being spent on the CAPEX projects for 2010
* R200 million on intelligent Transport Systems
* R700 million on new improved bus and taxi infrastructure
* R144 million on new intermodal interchanges and facilities
* R109 million on non-motorised transport infrastructure projects.
In conclusion let me wish Daimler-Chrysler and the other role players
success in this learnership programme. Let it succeed so that it could serve as
a point of reference for other companies. The country needs such private
initiatives to achieve its targeted economic growth.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department Of Transport
5 October 2006
