Chikunga to highlight SA’s road infrastructure successes at 27th World Road Congress
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga is leading a specialised and high-powered South African delegation to the 27th World Road Congress in the Czech Republic as part of the Department's October Transport Month (OTM) Campaign for 2023.
Chikunga officially launched the annual OTM campaign on Friday, 29 September under the theme “Siyakha - we are building a better transport infrastructure to grow South Africa Together”- to showcase among others major milestones and achievements in the development, upgrade and maintenance of transport infrastructure.
At the Congress, South African road and transport professionals will showcase the significant progress being made in rebuilding the country’s economy through road infrastructure construction, development and maintenance projects.
Minister Chikunga is joined by executives from the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Reginald Demana and board members, who will forge and strengthen collaborative relationships with members of the global transport community.
The conference, being held at the Prague Convention Centre from 2-6 October, is hosted by the Permanent International Association of Road Congresses (PIARC), the global umbrella body formed in 1909 to promote international co-operation on issues related to roads and road transport.
SANRAL, as an entity of the Department of Transport joined PIARC in 1995.
During the conference, Minister Chikunga will set out aspects of the country’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan – with particular emphasis on how infrastructure investment, delivery and maintenance play a pivotal role in reviving and growing the economy.
Establishing an expansive and effective road network is critical to government’s economic growth strategy and Minister Chikunga will relay to delegates how such projects are already having an impact on the economy as well as on communities in both urban and rural areas.
South Africa’s co-operation with other African countries will also be highlighted at the World Road Congress.
Minister Chikunga will participate in a special ministerial panel session on road safety where she will emphasize how safety and sustainable design solutions are prioritised in all SANRAL projects.
Arresting the carnage on South Africa’s roads is high on the Minister's agenda and she will use the opportunity to explain SANRAL’s Safe Systems approach to road safety.
Media contact
Collen Msibi
National Spokesperson
Cell: 066 476 9015
