of Transport Mr Jeff Radebe, Member of Parliament (MP), Midrand
25 October 2007
What a great pleasure for me to be here today. I'm very delighted that so
many of you could be here this morning. And also I hope to meet some of you a
bit later because I'm really keen to hear your views on some of the real issues
affecting women in Transport.
But I'm sure yesterday was also an opportunity for all of you to reflect on
some of the untapped opportunities for women within the Transport sector. I
therefore do not believe I need to convince you of the importance of the Women
in Transport Network and the reasons why it has to be created. I believe that
such a structure will certainly be an invaluable source of advice and
information for all of us. And as government we believe that it will be a good
sounding board for our own policy ideas and will also help us to develop, shape
and deliver a whole range of tangible projects aimed at meeting the transport
needs of women more effectively.
In particular, I believe that it is absolutely necessary to have a structure
that will elevate the profile of transport as a business and career option for
women. In this regard, as Transport family, we have had to lead by example by
changing the face of our own organisations and agencies to ensure that women
occupy strategic positions. Our Director-General is one example of this
strategic step and I'm sure there are many other demonstrable examples of our
senior women officials from the Transport family in the audience.
We therefore need to make it our collective obligation to ensure that we
build on the valuable work that is taking shape and encourage women to build
their careers in the Transport field. Your knowledge, your experiences and your
feedback is invaluable. And I will personally take an interest in how the Women
in Transport Network unfold.
But I must say, admittedly, that women are still very much under-represented
in the transport sector. This sector has been very slow to see the relevance of
women's needs or women's issues to planning and decision-making. The fact that
women are under-represented as transport professionals and as service providers
in the industry is a major cause for concern.
The workforce gender segregation within transport management and operations
should be central in our debate of adequately capturing women's needs as
entrepreneurs, professionals, employees and customers. There are many areas,
particularly in technical or engineering oriented functions, where women do not
feature at all. And progress in some areas is not as fast as we would like it
to be.
And none of this is easy, and it would be wrong to suggest otherwise. But I
hope that through events such as this one, we can take actions, devise
strategies and overcome these challenges. My hope is that the launch of the
Women in Transport Network will be enormously helpful in capturing the full
breadth of issues and concerns that matter to women.
It is obvious that the new competitive environment provides women with
greater opportunities they have not enjoyed in the past. I believe the emerging
transport environment is more conducive to women's skills and the shift in
corporate culture is also more conducive to women's aspirations. While the
potential opportunities in this environment are substantial, women must seek to
involve themselves to ensure they gain access to these emerging
opportunities.
As government we have put in place a progressive socio-economic legislation
specifically in relation to the black economic empowerment (BEE) strategy and
the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) codes of good practice on
broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) in order to address issues of
ownership control, management, employment equity, skills development,
preferential procurement, enterprise development and socio-economic
development. In particular, women empowerment is a major pillar of our strategy
and is set to change the transport landscape substantially in terms of economic
opportunities and skills development. I'm glad to announce that we will soon
begin our obligation to ensure that across all transport sub-sectors there are
set targets of gender equity in all indicators of empowerment.
Programme Director; let me also indicate some of the opportunities within
the transport sector with the intention of provoking some interest in the
audience. As part of our economic investment programme, Government is investing
R 400 billion in the infrastructure development programme over the next five
years. And transport forms a major part of this investment with R70 billion
over the next three years for road infrastructure across the spheres of
government. We also intend to raise R8 billion from private investors for the
development of concession toll roads under public/private partnerships.
Through our Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), we are also
investing
R19,3 billion over the next five years in airports development as part of
expanding airports capacity ahead of the 2010 world cup. Our Passenger rail has
also received a major boost of R16 billion over the next three years in order
to modernise the infrastructure, signalling systems and recapitalise the
rolling stock.
As you are well aware, R9,2 billion has been set aside for public transport
infrastructure improvement for 2010 in order to leave a lasting legacy long
after the last goal is scored. I must also mention that, through Transnet,
government is investing close to R50 billion on rail and ports infrastructure
improvements. I'm therefore convinced that women have a major role to play in
turning these billions into tangible projects.
We can all start by ensuring that women businesses have a fair share of this
investment by ensuring that we put issues of economic empowerment of previously
disadvantaged individuals and organisations at the top of our agenda. Without a
doubt, women must actively make inroads into the traditionally male-dominated
occupations within our sector. And business participation must rank ahead of
other priorities. I believe that with the transport business opportunities
sprouting up everywhere particularly with our strong investment in the economy
- now is the right time for women to make such a move.
Already, over the years, more women are spearheading business initiatives
and taking on an active role in furthering economic growth. Programme Director;
let me remind you that a discussion of the different roles that women play in
business would not be complete without a brief reference to women social roles.
Today, the notion of the traditional role of women has been turned on its head;
more women are professionals and have become businesswomen.
Quite frankly, women are now expected to be a Jack, or rather a Jane, of all
trades, as well as a Mistress of all. In addition to their career, women have
to be loving wives, caring mothers as well as being daughters to their parents
and families. I can fully imagine how demanding it can be to satisfy all these
roles, in addition to juggling a career and a hectic time schedule.
But the question is: Can women have it all? The answer is Yes, I believe so
and women should continue to prioritise. For women participating in booming
South Africa, the opportunities are in abundance. I hope that each and every
one of you will seize the opportunities to be all that you can be. And I would
like to urge you to continue to grasp with enthusiasm the many opportunities
that are now arising as our beloved country enjoys a further wave of growth and
prosperity. I'm sure that all of you can use your obvious talents and strong
determination to benefit and put our economy into the next level.
As you discuss the way forward, my suggestions would of coarse include;
business participation and representation by women at all levels and in all
relevant areas as fundamental within the transport industry. Each one of you
must take every opportunity and also express your views and opinions to make
sure that the transport system becomes reliable, efficient and safe for
everyone.
Your discussions should also ensure that recruitment is targeted more
effectively and greater encouragement for women to apply for positions should
be the priority. Programme Director, as I conclude I'm reminded of a police
constable who once reminded his colleague in the 60s that, "Not all murders are
equally serious. Some are just men killing their wives." I believe that women
have come a long way in demonstrating their talent, strength and dedication as
well demonstrating how wrong the constable was in assuming that women were
insignificant. I believe that the bold steps women take today will sure take
our economy into greater heights.
Malibongwe! Igama Lamakhosikazi! I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Transport
25 October 2007
Source: SAPA
