MEC Pauline Williams launch of Northern Cape’s Provincial October Transport Month, Kimberley
MEC of Sports, Arts and Culture-Mrs Bongiwe Mbiqnqo Gigaba;
MEC of finance and Economic Development-Mr Mac Jack
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee Mrs Gladys Oliphant;
Acting Head of Department, Mr Lesego Wolfe;
Officials and Senior Managers of the Department
President of Santaco, Mr Phillip Taaibosch;
Provincial Chairperson of Santaco, Mr Zwane Nkonki;
Leadership collective of SANTACO`s Women desk;
Provincial Leadership of SANWIT;
Representatives of Road Accident Fund;
Chairperson of SATAWU;
Entities and stakeholders present;
Members of the community;
Members of the Press;
Ladies and gentlemen.
It is a great honour to address you today on the official Launch of the Northern Cape Province’s October Transport Month; it is indeed the focus of the transport industry across the country under the theme: “Together we move South Africa Forward”.
So, this is not only a great honour and privilege but also an essential platform to share ideas and exchange thoughts on road safety and to highlight our plights and initiatives. Today and this month present us as the department of transport and stakeholders with an opportunity to highlight our endeavours.
Programme Director, please allow me to indicate that today is not the start of road safety initiatives, law enforcement and awareness on the important work we do as a Department but rather a month we give focus to the mandate of the Department and the important role transport plays in all our everyday lives. The messages does not exclude anyone but is for all road users including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and users of all forms of transport be it air, land, water or rail.
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and we will not seize as a Department in our efforts to educate our public and all road users of this important fact. This means that each and every one of us has an important role to play and something to contribute towards safer roads and curbing the loss of lives on our roads – and it starts with me and you.
Ladies and gentlemen, we all have a responsibility to abide by the rules of the road. I am starting with this important reality as it is crucial to any safe, sustainable and cost effective transport system. Let us be cognisant of the fact that the cars do not drive themselves, people do. People walk on the streets, people own livestock that are at times the cause of accidents, people speed and drive under the influence of alcohol.
Therefore, it is important to realise that it is in changing our behaviour, educating ourselves and maintaining good road usage as road users that we can curb the loss of life on our roads and injuries while creating an environment where all are and feel safe.
This is an important factor to remember as human error contributes to a high number of our road crashes and fatalities. So, it is all with good intention that we continue to preach messages such as: buckle up, don’t drink and drive, don’t speed, rest every 2hours or 200km and abide by the rules of the road. It is to help us reach our goal of creating safer roads for all.
My plea is for you to not allow yourself to be driven by a drunk driver or be in an overloaded vehicle; your life should be important enough for you to make that decision for yourself and loved ones.
It is also befitting to state without hesitation that we will enforce the law with no fear or favour. We will continue to rid our roads of transgressors on our roads and infringers will face the full might of the law. I reaffirm that our traffic officials will be out in full force and will intensify our actions to ensure that you continue to uphold the law, and be sure that we will lock you up if need be.
Most of the people losing their lives on the roads are breadwinners meaning, we don’t only lose loved ones on our roads but we lose breadwinners and it impacts on many lives.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are committed to the National Road Safety Strategy, which will articulate road safety plans while we know the uniqueness of our Province. We will continue with interventions to ensure we improve the status of our transport systems and level of road safety in the Province.
We will continue to join stakeholders and give an ear to interventions and innovations that can improve the level of safety on our roads for all road users and also continue to share our expertise.
We will also continue share our skills with the taxi industry which transports the majority of our road users, community based structures, faith-based organisations and transport stakeholders in a bid to improve road safety and raise awareness on root causes of carnages on our roads.
With that being said, we are also focused on investing in our transport system as it is the engine of any growing economy. Government continues to invest in the transport sector which is part of the country's Nine-Point Plan to stimulate development and create jobs.
Ladies and gentlemen, the investment we continue to make in our public transport systems forms part of building and operating an integrated public transport network in the Province which directly and indirectly contributes to towards growth in our economy and addresses the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
Our investment and direct promotion of potential investment opportunities in our province is a platform to draw more efficient, safe, cost-effective and reliable investment opportunities in our vast Province whilst the focus is also on job creation.
Our efforts will continue to position the Province as an attractive investment destination.
Ladies and gentlemen, Road Safety, Law Enforcement and our constitutional mandate is a 365 Days commitment. These month-long initiatives about to be unveiled today only give a glimpse to some of the activities that unfold throughout the year.
We want to promote our law enforcement technologies that help our warm-bodies tighten law enforcement, promote the use of public transport, raise road safety awareness and advance the country's road safety initiatives in a bid to curb road fatalities in half as per the UN Decade of Action declaration.
Furthermore, we are today unveiling a new fleet of vehicles for SANTACO and officially open their Provincial offices.
Distinguished guests, I now present the OTM programme for the Province and officially launch October Transport Month in the Province.
I thank you!
