T Mhlahlo: Promotional train trip between East London and Alice

6 February 2006

Let me first take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support in
this initiative, which seeks to promote public transport as a catalyst for
socioeconomic growth.

This is a symbol of what we want to achieve as the Department of Roads and
Transport in this province in order to ease the burden experienced by our
people, especially those who reside in rural areas. In the past, this line used
to contribute significantly in the socio-economic situation of this part of our
country as it used to provide a service to the local communities and visitors,
particularly students who came here to study at Lovedale College and the
University of Fort Hare.

Presently, this railway line is not utilised and we do not have an efficient
public transport service between East London and Alice. I am sure that this
trip will take many people down the memory lane, especially the former students
of the two institutions. This initiative is government’s yardstick for the
implementation of our “Moving Back to Rail Strategy”, which seeks to ensure
that our people have access to safe, affordable and accessible public transport
system.

Eastern Cape has been identified nationally as a pilot for the
implementation of this strategy. We have already made visible advances through
the Kei Rail Project, which is our milestone in the economic evolution of this
province that involves the revitalisation of the railway line between East
London and Mthatha. This development has prompted the provincial government to
declare the area between East London and Mthatha and even beyond as the Kei
Development Corridor with Kei Rail as its anchor project.

The Kei Development Corridor is underscored through its direct links to the
use of community-based labour for the provision of critical construction,
maintenance and building aspects of the programme through projects in the
forestry, agriculture, wool and red meat, minerals exploitation, and tourism
sectors and the relationship it will have with the various road, rail and port
upgrades such as the East London Industrial Development Zone.

Since the start of that project in 1998, R105 million has been spent. About
1 900 were employed, of which 40% were women, 15% youth and 1% disabled. Today,
government and the private sector is attempting to propel more alternative
transport systems to improve accessibility and mobility of people and goods in
this Province, particularly in this region of Amathole. This will end the
public transport frustrations of the people of East London, King William’s
Town, Dimbaza, Middledrift and Alice.

I believe that this intervention will augur well with the Buffalo City
Municipality’s vision for the 2020 Public Transport System, which clearly
illustrates the expansion and full integration of rail, feeder bus and minibus
taxi services to properly serve our urban and rural people. This initiative
will further assist in the resuscitation of the Dimbaza Industrial Node, as the
revival of rail would facilitate access of goods to export markets.

The local business community, particularly the tourism industry stands to
gain because of many tourist attractions in this part of our province. This
clearly demonstrates how transportation can change the face of our economy as
enshrined in the Provincial Growth and Development Plan. The University of Fort
Hare and the local campus of the Lovedale Public Further Education and Training
(FET) College stand to gain out of this intervention, as it would improve
access for students, who would like to join these institutions.

More people, particularly learners from various schools around this region
can have a reliable transport to study at these institutions, which have proved
for many decades to be the centres of community excellence. Two weeks ago, I
had a meeting with all institutions of higher learning of this province and
articulated the Department’s strategies and programmes with a view to lobby for
these institutions’ support.

I am convinced that tertiary institutions in this province should assist
government in providing solutions to the challenges facing our people. They
need to provide academic knowledge that would ensure that our villages provide
engineers and strategists of the future so that we break away from the common
perception that our rural people are destined to be cheap mine and farm
labourers and domestic workers.

Since 2003, the Department of Roads and Transport in partnership with Star
Schools and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University piloted an Incubator
Schools Maths and Science Project in the Nelson Mandela Metro, which benefited
150 Grade 8 - 12 learners from disadvantaged communities. Our aim is to improve
the performance of learners, particularly those from disadvantaged communities,
in Maths and Science in order for them to be absorbed by various institutions
of higher learning that offer technical expertise such as Engineering studies,
Aviation, Transport Planning, Transport Economics, Train Driving, etc. In
October 2005, we expanded this project to the Mthatha area in partnership with
the Walter Sisulu University.

This year, we will expand the project to the Nkonkobe area in partnership
with the University of Fort Hare. The Department is currently engaged in
discussions with the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) to
establish a Centre of Rail Excellence at the Walter Sisulu University. This
means more opportunities for the people of the former Transkei region, as they
would acquire skills on rail related studies at this centre and contribute in
the sustainable development of rail infrastructure in this Province. We want to
make sure that visitors to the 2010 Soccer World Cup will have an efficient and
safe public transport system.

Conclusion

We appeal to all stakeholders involved in this initiative to fast track all
the processes leading to the realisation of our dreams and aspirations of a
reliable public transport between East London and Alice. The success of this
project can effectively contribute to the sustainable growth and development of
our province and create opportunities for the previously marginalised
individuals to participate actively in the economy of this country. I hope that
you have all enjoyed the trip and I am confident that more positive spin-offs
will emerge out of this experience.

Thank you.

Issued by: Office of the MEC for Roads and Transport, Eastern Cape
Provincial Government
6 February 2006
Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)