Taxi Certification Ceremony, Johannesburg
5 May 2006
Minister of Labour, Mr Mdladlana,
TETA CEO Dr Botha,
President of SANTACO, Mr Mthembu,
President of SATAWU, Mr Mabyana,
Senior government officials,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are gathered here today to witness a life changing ceremony which will
ensure professionalism and efficiency in the manner in which taxi drivers
provide their service on daily basis.
Taxi drivers receiving certificates today will join a cadre of more than 4
000 taxi drivers who have already passed the Transport Education and Training
Authority (TETA) programme since its inception in April 2002. As government, we
view these drivers as agents for change. A change that will ensure that no
longer will taxi drivers be seen as unprofessional and reckless, that no longer
will they be seen as rude to their customers.
The TETA initiative is part of the initiatives by government and the taxi
operators to transform the taxi industry. This programme will ensure that the
industry remains dynamic and service oriented in responding to the public
transport needs of our country. We must acknowledge that an effective public
transport system cannot be achieved without a dedicated cadre of taxi drivers
on our roads.
It is through such initiatives as the TETA programme that we continue our
commitment to ensure professional and defensive driving as well as customer
care within the taxi industry.
We also want better working conditions for individuals working in the taxi
industry. Safer vehicles and improved service to passengers can only mean
growth to the taxi industry. In a few days from now we will be announcing the
preferred bidder for the scrapping of old taxis. This is a clear demonstration
that we are firm in our commitment to transform the taxi industry through the
Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TRP). We therefore want to encourage the taxi
drivers to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the transformation
of the industry.
Whist some of the taxi vehicles in the market are not yet fully compliant,
there is an agreement between government and the National Association of
Automobile Manufacturers of Southern Africa (NAAMSA) that new vehicles will be
compliant by 1 July 2006. As part of the implementation of the safety
requirements we are pleased to say that the South Africa Bureau of Standards
(SABS) has on 4 April 2006 reported that the Toyota Quantum, which falls in the
range of nine to 16 passengers (minibus), is capable of having a type two
braking system. We look forward to having more manufacturers meeting the safety
specifications by 1 July.
TETA is making sure that the new taxi fleet we will be seeing on our roads
is driven by a new kind of taxi driver, one that is friendly to the passengers
and respects the rules of the road.
As government our role is to ensure that the taxi industry operates in an
environment that enables it to thrive.
The initiative we are witnessing today demonstrates how small steps can
bring dramatic changes in peoplesâ lives. These initiatives are aimed at
ensuring that the drivers earn various skills that allow them to participate
meaningfully in the countryâs mainstream economy. The empowerment models for
taxi drivers to maximise their benefits from the industry will be explored
through consultation and engagements with the trade unions.
I would like to emphasise that taxi drivers will continue to occupy a
delicate place in taxi operations. They have a physical presence and serve as a
link between the service provider and passengers; they break or sustain the
link of high quality taxi services.
Ngiyabonga!
Issued by: Department of Transport
5 May 2006
