Program director
Members of the bus industry
Members of the taxi industry
Members of the aviation industry
Members of the road freight industry
Members of the forward and clearing
Head of the department, Mr Nic van Standen
Bomme le bontate
We in the transport family are proud that today we are bringing this insightful clause into reality. I am also proud that while there are certain people who go about indicating that as an ANC government we have abandoned the Freedom Charter, almost everything that we do, day in and day out, responds directly to the clauses of the Charter.
The Integrated Transport Sector B-BBEE Charter that we workshop today comprises of eight sub-sector charters, namely: aviation, bus, forwarding and clearing, maritime transport and services industry, public sector, rail, road freight and taxi. The sector alone contributes around six percent to the gross domestic product, as a result it is the South African heartbeat of the economy, hence without transport there cannot be trade and other more factors that make our economy to boom. Details of these sub-sector charters and opportunities available will be unveiled during the breakaway sessions. The B-BBEE of the transport sector marks the landmark achievement that has been jointly drafted by a number of patriots, driven by a common desire to realize the economic emancipation for all our people.
When we came to power in 1994, it was necessary to intervene in order to redress the systematic exclusion of the majority of South Africans from the mainstream of the South African economy. It must be acknowledged that this exclusion restricted the creation of wealth and imposed underdevelopment of black communities and relegated them to being only of cheap labour. The denial of access to skills and reserved jobs was undermining the very purpose of growing the economy and the development of entrepreneurship, and thereby undermining the growth of the whole South African economy.
This charter however, should not be seen in isolation to the whole economic thrust of our democracy. It is a contribution to the changing of the landscape of our country’s business environment, which is characterised by high levels of unemployment, shortages of skills, anti-competitive behaviours by many companies, price-fixing practices which create monopolies, business cronyism, and illiteracy.
BEE charters have been underutilized simply because of their focus on only one element, that of equity to the total exclusion of all the other six elements.
The intervention of the state through introduction of the Transport BEE Charter, could not have come at a better time that the current global financial crisis. Although we as a country have been partially insulated from this financial global crisis as a result of economic fundamentals, we need to acknowledge that at certain time, the role of the state is important as we witness country after country, bailing out their financial institutions from the national fiscus.
The charters provide a legal framework for us as the industry. This should tell you that before the existence of BEE Act and the Codes of Good Practice, the transport sector was already ahead with the development of BEE Charters. It was then necessary to ensure that the eight sub-sector charters become legally binding with whoever will be doing business with state organs.
Although the second road show continue today after the Eastern Cape province which hosted the first one this month, as the province we are happy that our road show came during October Transport Month which is land mark in showing that the North West province is indeed taking the process serious.
I would also like to warmly congratulate everyone who has made this event possible. The initiative by all transport stakeholders enhances the participation of previously marginalised groups in the economy of this country. I am confident that the successful implementation of the vision of the Integrated Transport Sector Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Charter will not only meet the objectives of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act but will contribute significantly to the overall developmental objectives of our government.
The transport sector has set an example, as this is the industry with a large number of diverse sub-sectors, showing Africa and the world what can be achieved when South Africa work together in making sure that this country is a better place for all those who leave in it. I urge you to embrace this legacy in your future business engagements!
The most important thing about the introduction of BEE charters is to transform our country into non-racial and non-sexist society as enshrined in the Freedom Charter.
Kea leboga
Thank you very much
Enquiries:
Matshube Mfoloe
Tel: 018 387 2447
Cell: 082 305 4594
E-mail:mmfoloe@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Transport, North West Provincial Government
30 October 2009
Source: Department of Transport North West Provincial Government (http://www.nwpg.gov.za/public%20works/)
