The Fourth Annual Transport Awards 2018 key note address by Minister of Transport, Dr Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande, MP, held at Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg
Programme Director
Deputy Minister of Transport, Honourable Sindisiwe Chikunga, Honourable Members of Parliament,
Cabinet Colleagues present, MECs from all the other Provinces,
Members of the Portfolio Committee of Transport,
Acting Director-General of the Department, Mr. Mathabatha Mokonyama, CEOs of Public Entities,
Heads of Provincial Departments of Transport, Officials of the Department of Transport,
All Nominees and Finalists in the various award categories, The Private Sector,
Members of the media, Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen
I feel a sense of honour and privilege as we gather here today to celebrate the remarkable achievements of those individuals and teams that have performed exceptionally well, and have gone beyond the call of duty and what is ordinarily expected of them.
The Annual Transport Awards Ceremony presents us with an opportunity to reflect over our challenges and successes and look to gear ourselves even more to the attainment of the desired outcomes.
Recognition of achievements certainly leads to a motivated workforce, capable of tackling the numerous challenges that face us within the sector. This acknowledgement of achievements in the full view of your leaders and colleagues, we hope will also galvanise others to want to achieve more.
This is also a unique opportunity to bring together key stakeholders within this diverse Transport sector, under one roof.
Esteemed Guests, this year, 2018, is a special year in many regards. We remember with sadness the life of Comrade Chris Hani as we recently commemorated his passing in Ekurhuleni on 10 April, 25 years since his assassination.
We continue to mourn the loss of the Mother of our Nation, Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Ambassador George Nene, and ANC stalwart, Comrade Zola Skweyiya, who were all laid to rest in April.
This year also marks the 100-year anniversary since the birth of our icon and father of the nation, the late president of the Republic of South Africa, Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
A key attribute of his was selflessness. Let us take our cue from him, and therefore not take for granted the sacrifices many women and men made in the attainment of our hard earned freedom.
Nelson Mandela always put the interests of others before his own personal interests. Many women and men nominated here today have contributed immensely to the attainment of transformation in the sector.
We gather here this evening to recognise and celebrate the achievements of public servants that strive to improve the lives of others.
Our theme this year is “Promoting Excellence through Innovation.” We will all witness this practically as the profiles of the finalists are displayed.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Transport family must always find ways to improve and be innovative. With the current economic challenges gripping our country, we simply do not have an option. We need to adjust by learning and moving with time, including for the sector to embrace the Fourth Industrial opportunities and challenges.
These Awards seek to foster a spirit of teamwork, innovation, dedication, commitment and hard work. These Awards seek to build a professional and accountable Transport Sector.
I encourage all the transport sector entities and institutions to introduce their own internal awards programmes to feed into the National Awards.
Whilst working to transform the sector and creating economic opportunities remains a key focus area, we need to also acknowledge the contributions made by those in the sector in pursuit of this goal. Transport remains a key sector in ensuring there is transformation of the economy.
Deputy Minister, I am encouraged by the introduction of the Best Head of Department and Best Chief Executive Officer categories. Top management should play a lead role in ensuring their respective departments and institutions perform. It is a measure of their leadership capacity.
Putting together an Awards evening of this magnitude is a daunting task, and I would like to thank the Acting Director-General and his team from the Department for putting on such a fine awards evening.
DG, I would like to thank in particular the Directorate of Organisational Development and Change Management for ensuring the process of nominations, shortlisting and adjudication were successful, and ensuring that this Awards ceremony actually takes place.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Entities and Provincial Transport Departments for recognising these Awards and participating in the process.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is not an evening for long speeches, but an occasion where we celebrate your achievements. This is your night.
In closing I would like to remind you of the inspirational words of our leader, Dr Nelson Mandela on the occasion of the 90th birthday of Comrade Walter Sisulu, at the Walter Sisulu Hall, in Johannesburg, on 18 May 2002:
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Ladies and gentlemen let us become agents of change.
I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate and wish all the nominees the best.
Thank you.
