Minister of Transport at Kariba Lodge, Limpopo province
27 October 2007
Premier of Limpopo province, Mr Moloto
MEC for Transport in Limpopo Mr Pitso
District Mayor, Mr Mokgobi
Mayor of Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Mr Mushwana
Chief Executive Officer of the Limpopo Tourism Board, Mr Boshielo
Chairperson of the Limpopo Taxi Council, Mr Lentsoane
The executive leadership of the Limpopo Taxi Council
The leadership of the Regional Taxi Councils
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentleman:
Thank you for the invitation today to what I know is one of the most
important Taxi Indaba of the year. And congratulations to the organisers for
bringing together so many stakeholders to play a role in building a sustainable
and effective taxi industry that supports a growing South Africa's economy.
So much is now not just being written and said, but actually done about the
taxi industry that it is easy to forget that just a few years ago it was hardly
on the agenda as a priority for policymaking in the history of our beloved
country.
Indeed, since we came to office in 1994, the African National Congress
government has embarked on the transformation of the taxi industry so that
today we can rightly say that it is a key pillar in helping provide effective
and good value public transport.
Accompanying our desire to transform the taxi industry has been a tremendous
upsurge in confidence that the taxi industry can deliver the goods. And we are
now seeing its benefits integrated with other parts of the public transport
such as buses and rail. Under South African National Taxi Association Council's
(SANTACO) leadership the taxi industry has also done a first class job, getting
actively involved with its own transformation and enabling progress where
previously there was none.
This is precisely why government is listening to you, the people who plan
and deliver taxi operations. I'm sure everyone here would agree that without a
safe and sustainable taxi industry the country as a whole simply cannot meet
its potential in terms of the economy growth. The taxi industry continues to
play a crucial role in the growth of our economy. It links people and
communities with local jobs and services, and it underpins the local economy
that keeps the country plugged into the global economy.
So we need to use this Indaba to continue to develop our taxi industry to
face the major challenges of the future that relates to rising demand of moving
people and improving the passenger experience.
Our major task is to ensure that the improvement of the taxi industry should
reflect the economic and structural changes that are shaping our public
transport system. Our strategy as government is underpinned by a strong desire
to have an integrated public transport system that works like a mean
machine.
It is therefore important that taxi operators think across transport modes and
think beyond traditional forms of moving people. So our main objectives are
very clear: A taxi industry that supports a strong economy; that puts the
passenger first; and that meets our socio-economic objectives. And I must say
that the results we've seen so far are very encouraging.
One of the major expected outcomes of this Taxi Indaba should be an analysis
of the role the industry needs to play as the days leading to the commencement
of the 2010 Soccer World Cup draw closer. It is also important that the taxi
industry be encouraged and assisted to think globally but acting locally. By
this ladies and gentlemen, I refer to the important fact that time has come for
the industry to explore and expand its potential by tapping on opportunities
presented by our booming tourism sector.
By being one of the host provinces, through the Peter Mokaba soccer stadium
in Polokwane, the taxi industry in this province is also presented with a
golden opportunity to participate in the provision of public transport for our
local and foreign people.
As the country gets deep into work in preparation of the Soccer World Cup,
the taxi industry in general needs to focus itself and align its processes to
actively participate in this historic occasion of our time. But for you to
effectively do so, let's make it our task to deal with negative and baseless
claims that government intends to destroy and do away with the taxi industry.
Such claims have no foundation but are only meant to sow division and bring
about confusion and mistrust between ourselves.
Government recognises the critical role played by the industry and shall
endeavour to work together and closely with the taxi industry to ensure its
growth and sustainability. And the implementation of the Taxi Recapitalisation
Programme is a clear demonstration of this fact. The Recapitalisation is not
only about scrapping old taxi vehicles, but is also about the sustainability
and effective regulation of the industry. It is a direct response to the
recommendations of the National Taxi Task Team (NTTT) to consider specific
interventions to turn around the taxi industry.
Ladies and gentlemen, we also need to remain honest to ourselves and indeed
collectively agree on the critical role played by the taxi industry in the
public transport arena. As government, we are therefore embarking on an
integration of public transport as a whole, which recognises and include the
mechanism of ensuring that the taxi industry benefits from the economic
assistance provided to other modes.
It will therefore be necessary for the taxi industry to ensure compliance
with the necessary basic requirements. These include the possession of
legitimate documentation and securing of the appropriate type of vehicles,
specifically new taxi vehicles that comply with safety specifications.
Taxi operators must therefore not treat the Taxi Recap Programme as a
stand-alone programme. It is part of Government's broad integrated public
transport network system, which is aimed to form part of the larger public
transport feeder systems.
Government is encouraged by the general good will of the taxi industry to
become creators and architects of their own destiny. The majority of operators
did heed our call and applied for the conversion of permits to operating
licenses, which was a critical step in the realisation of the Taxi
Recapitalisation Programme.
Nationally, about 80 000 operating licenses were issued. About 50 000 were
uplifted by operators. Here in Limpopo province, more than 11 000 operating
licenses were issued by the local Operating Licence Board, and by the beginning
of October this year, 9 000 were uplifted.
This is a very encouraging sign, a sign that illustrates the commitment that
Limpopo has consistently shown. We should all encourage the rest of the taxi
operators to go to their respective boards to obtain their operating licenses,
which is critical in their participation within the taxi recapitalisation
project (TRP).
I must say that the scrapping process is also showing considerable progress.
Nationally more than 11 000 old and unroadworthy vehicles have been removed
from our roads. In total, as of yesterday, over R600 million has been paid out
as scrapping allowance. Here in Limpopo, almost 2 000 Skorokoros have been
scrapped and over R160 million paid out as scrapping allowance. This kind of
investments is illustrative of government's dedication in the TRP.
Programme director, law enforcement is also one of the key pillars of the
implementation of the TRP and R2,2 billion has been set-aside for this purpose.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is developing a TRP Law
Enforcement Strategy, which would include the recruitment and training of staff
for law enforcement activities within the taxi industry. The strategy should be
completed by end of November 2007.
Programme director, it is also worthy noticing the massive capital injection
of R9,2 billion approved by Cabinet towards the public transport infrastructure
for the 2010 event. This huge investment is meant to improve our public
transport infrastructure to facilitate the movement of our people and goods
during the soccer world cup. It is therefore our intention to build a public
transport legacy that will last, long after the last goal is scored. We are
confident that this investment will meet some of the critical demands of our
public transport system, and will certainly benefit the taxi industry.
Distinguished guests, as we are well aware, one of the major setbacks that
undermine the positive gains made in and by the industry is the problem of
violence, intimidation and ill treatment of passengers. The few flashpoints of
violence remain a point of concern for government. We therefore call upon the
taxi industry to unite against violence and criminal conduct. We call upon the
industry to take a stance and expose those few individuals inclined on
derailing the country from a good course of providing an affordable,
accessible, safe and sustainable taxi industry.
We are also aware of the challenges that relate to cross-border permits. It
must be noted that according to legislation, issues relating to cross-border
taxi operations falls within the jurisdiction of the Cross Border Road
Transport Agency (CBRTA), which is an agency of the Department of Transport.
The CBRTA has the mandate to regulate the cross border flow of traffic. Law
enforcement activities related to this function must also clearly observe this
mandate. The taxi industry is therefore requested to observe and respect the
role of the CBRTA.
Programme director, as I conclude, I need to emphasise that the future of
the industry couldn't look any brighter. Government is committed to working
closely with the industry in developing strategies and mechanisms aimed at
retaining and sustaining the industry. Doomsayers who sow division and
confusion amongst our people will therefore not be allowed the opportunity to
see their far-fetched dream turned into reality.
With those words, I wish this taxi indaba all the best and hope that
positive resolutions meant to advance the taxi industry would not only be taken
but also implemented in a collective and consultative manner.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Transport
27 October 2007
