The Minister of Transport, Dr. Bonginkosi Blade Nzimande, MP will officially launch the 13th anniversary of the October Transport Month Campaign (OTM) on Friday, 5 October 2018 in Benoni, Ekurhuleni Municipality under the theme: “Together we move South Africa Forward”.
The month-long campaign will roll out and showcase transport infrastructure development and services as well as flagship projects delivered across all modes of transport including public transport and road safety.
Joining the Minister during the official launch will be Transport Deputy Minister, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, MECs for Roads and Transport, Community Safety and Public Works in the provinces together with key transport stakeholders and senior government officials.
Minister Nzimande and the dignitaries will join and interact with commuters on a train ride from the East of Pretoria to the city centre following which the entourage will board taxis at the Bosman Train station to a multi-disciplinary law enforcement activation on the N12 freeway.
Rounding off his itinerary, Minister Nzimande will officially launch the 2018 October Transport Month campaign by awarding well-deserving grade 11 and 12 learners from all nine provinces at a speech contest and debate on solutions to combat the carnage on South Africa’s roads.
The speech contest and debate brings together about 250 leaners from urban and rural schools including those living with disabilities discussing the best methods the country can employ to reduce high levels of crashes and fatalities, organised by the Road Traffic Management Corporation, provincial transport authorities and the Department of Education to inculcate a culture of safe road usage among the youth.
Earlier in August, Minister Nzimande undertook in-loco inspections of damages to rail infrastructure sustained during various arson attacks on Metrorail trains. The Minister will address challenges to the implementation of projects aimed at improving public transport services including the rail, bus and taxi industry in the country and also improve partnerships with various stakeholders and communities.
The details of the official launch of the 2018 OTM campaign are as follows:
PART 1 - Train Ride and Interaction With Commuters
Date: Friday, 05 October 2018
Time: 06:00 sharp
Venue: Mamelodi Train Station, (enroute to Pretoria CBD (Bosman Train Station)
PART 2 - Taxi Ride and Interaction With Commuters
Date: Friday, 05 October 2018
Time: Approximately 07:30. (on arrival at Bosman Train Station after train ride)
Venue: Bosman Train Station (Pretoria CBD) Taxi Rank
PART 3 - Law Enforcement Activation on the N2
Date: Friday, 05 October 2018
Time: 10:30
Venue: N2 Freeway (exact details will be shared)
PART 4 - Participatory Educational Techniques Competitions
Date: Friday, 05 October 2018
Time: 11:30
Venue: Lakes Hotel and Conference Centre, Benoni
All media are invited. Members of the media attending the event are requested to confirm their attendance with Tshegofatso Maake on 063 281 9453 or Maaket@dot.gov.za or Hlobisile Ngcongo on 083 657 5567 or Hlobisilen@rtmc.co.za
