victims of the road accident that happened on the road between Standerton and
Secunda, Embalenhle Recreational Centre
8 February 2007
The executive mayors and councillors,
Officials from government departments,
Members of the Vukanini Taxi Association,
Members of Embalenhle Community
Members of the bereaved families,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good Afternoon, Sanibonani
When as a province we encounter road accidents, we are always denied the
pleasures that may have been at that particular time and space. Like all our
fellow human beings, death does not pass by without piercing our hearts with
its ugly daggers.
We all know that road accidents produce orphans, disability and rob extended
families of their breadwinners.
It is never easy to find the right words in trying to reflect meaning on
something like losing a loved one. Yet, we all understand and can relate to the
pain and sorrow that comes with the sudden loss of a loved one.
It is even more difficult to come to terms with a loss caused by something
as senseless as an accident. It is really hard to understand why an accident
that results in death occurs; it is even harder to explain.
That is why it's important that we work together in trying to minimise the
margin of error that results in accidents that cost people their lives. We are
a community of living beings, and a loss to one reflects on all of us, which is
why we all should take care and be part of a community in action to reduce
activities that result in senseless loss of lives.
We need to take action together against road accidents. Reckless driving,
drunken driving and overloading are all major causes of accidents. They result
in accidents; they increase the margin of error that results in accidents and
the loss of lives. That's why as a government and department we are doing our
best to decrease the margin of error that leads to fatalities on our roads. We
are vigilant in ensuring that drivers adhere to our laws of the road.
Therefore we will continue to ensure that people drive within the stipulated
speed limits and do not overload. We are also going to ensure that the
conditions of the roads are conducive to safe driving. We will repair as many
roads as possible, give guidance and educate road users on specific actions
they should take on the roads.
In partnership with communities we can reduce the irreversible consequences
of road accidents and crime in general, that is what we are striving to do.
As some of you might be aware that together with the taxi operators, we are
in a process of phasing out the current taxis. One of the reasons is the manner
in which they are built. They do not have safety devices or measures that
reduce fatalities in the event that an accident occurs.
Programme Director, it is high time that we must stop saying (Kube or if
there was this and that, this would not have happened). We are now making an
official announcement that we will be launching the scrapping of the taxis that
are not suitable to carry passengers and we would want to strongly request our
associations and individuals out there to join hands with us and fight this
carnage on our roads.
Studies and research show that accidents take place throughout the world but
the worrying factor with accidents in our country is the gruesome nature and
the detrimental manner in which they occur. As we might remember, just before
the end of the festive season on the road between Ermelo and Piet Retief a
highly fatal accident occurred involving a combi and truck; 25 people were
killed.
We need to ask ourselves one question, how many more lives should be lost in
order for motorists, pedestrians, all road users in general to realise that
their actions and behaviour rob us breadwinners and our loved ones. How many
more lives should be lost in order for all of us to heed the call to Arrive
Alive, Cabulela Ekhaya, Don't drink and drive, Speed kills and many more
messages of alert.
Programme Director, we have always maintained the fact that road safety is
the responsibility of all of us young and old, literate and illiterate, man and
woman, educators and learners. This responsibility is a clear indication that
we need a concerted effort put together if we are serious about winning the
campaign to reduce road accidents.
We might have lost some battles but the war is not over yet. Our traffic
officers, road safety education officers will intensify the fight against
lawlessness and arrest those found on the wrong side of the law. We need to
indicate here and now that one death is too many and further appeal that no one
amongst us should become another statistic.
Programme Director, we know and understand that we cannot take away the pain
and sorrow experienced by the families who lost their loved ones. We are all
aware that this is one of the pains that endure a lifetime. We can only ask the
presence of the Almighty God to guide you throughout as you prepare for the
burial of your loved ones.
Our deepest condolences go to all the families who lost their loved ones and
we want to take a vow and indicate that we will continue with our efforts to
fight the carnages on our roads.
As we drive back to our different destinations, let us all drive safely and
Arrive Alive.
Thank you.
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
8 February 2007
