Our Constitution, government’s Programme of Action emanating from both the Cabinet Lekgotla and the State of the Nation Address, as well as the mandate of the Department of Transport, calls upon the transport family to do all we can to contribute meaningfully to the improvement of the living conditions of our people.
Transport has been identified as one of the key areas targeted to drive economic growth in South Africa over the next few years. This is indicative of the importance of this sector, and raises the bar with regards to the work to be carried out in terms of transport at national, provincial and local level. The safe movement of both our people and goods and services remains our primary responsibility.
Due to the fact that transport is a competency that runs across national, provincial and local government, coordination, coordination and coordination is priority. In this regard, MinMec, which is a coordinating body chaired by the Minister and primarily comprises of the deputy minister, nine MECs for Transport and other key officials, plays an important role in terms of cooperative governance.
Earlier today, we hosted the first Transport MinMec for the year
2010. Issues discussed at today’s MinMec meeting included the following:
The 2010 FIFA World Cup
In just about 100 days from now, the world will descend on our shores for the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Dubbed as an African world cup, the implication is that the Continent will be involved in its organisation, hosting and participation. Six African countries are participating in this world cup, including our own Bafana-Bafana, as well as numerous other countries from different continents of the world.
Over and above the participating teams, South Africa expects to host visiting fans, dignitaries as well as media accompanying all these teams.
The fact that this is an African world cup sends a clear message to us about the participation of presidents from the various countries on the African continent as well as other leaders. The leadership of other participating countries from beyond the African continent is also expected.
It is a well known fact that transport is a priority to the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 2010 is transport year, as it is Tran-Sport that will define the sport. Over the past few years and months, we have invested massive efforts to guarantee an exceptional transport service during the world cup, and we are on track. We are currently visiting provinces and host cities regarding their respective transport plans.
Transport command and call centre will be in operation during the world cup to serve as a central hub of coordination for transport operations, information management and risk assessment throughout the country during the world cup.
Road Safety
In just over a month, we will be approaching the Easter holiday period, usually characterised by high road crash rates and deaths. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as well, activity on our roads will increase considerably. A dedicated road safety plan will be implemented during these periods. Enforcement will be the defining feature of our mettle.
On Friday and Saturday, 26 and 27 February, we will be hosting a Road Safety summit at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg, and we want the media to join us at this summit. We are now also in the process of establishing road safety councils throughout the country. This will enhance our efforts to ensure community involvement at all levels of our road safety campaigns. Road safety is everybody’s responsibility.
The success of all our efforts will depend on meaningful cooperation and coordination of our national, provincial and local structures. Our Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) will play a significant role to provide for cooperative and coordinated road traffic strategic planning, regulation facilitation and law enforcement.
We have completed the pilot phase of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO). AARTO is meant to enhance our efforts in improving road safety, by ensuring that repeat road traffic offenders are subject to the point’s demerit system, with the forfeiture of their driving licences if they continue to blatantly disregard road rules.
Further, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, road safety education is being introduced as part of the life skills programme at schools. Learners in grade 11 will acquire their learner’s licences and their driving licences as they complete grade 12.
Also, as of 17 February 2010, the period of validity of a learner’s licence has been extended from 18 months to 24 months, and the time for testing of drivers of motor vehicles has been extended to 17h00 on Saturdays and from 7h00 to 13h00 on Sundays.
We will also be intensifying our efforts against fraud and corruption at driving licence testing centres. Other measures include the implementation of a Best Practice model, a national driving licence call centre and fraud line.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
Issued by: Department of Transport
23 February 2010
Source: SAPA
