Speech by MEC for Transport, Safety, Security and Liaison delivered by the Member of the Executive Council, the Hon Me. Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana to the sixth Legislature of the Limpopo Province at Lebowakgomo Legislative Chamber: Vote 8 (Transport) - Theme: “Safer transport services for socio-economic development”
Honourable Speaker, Mme Polly Boshielo,
When our forebears met to adopt the Freedom Charter at Kliptown in 1955, they have amongst others declared that “All shall be free to travel without restriction from countryside to town, from province to province, from South Africa to abroad.” They envisioned transportation as a human right to be enjoyed by all South Africans without banishment, difficulties, segregation and without fear that you may be arrested and not return home due to accident.
The Honourable Deputy Speaker,
His Excellency, the Honourable Premier, Mr Chupu Stan Mathabatha,
Honourable Members of the Executive Council,
Honourable Leaders and members of the opposition,
Honourable Members of the Legislature,
Executive Mayors, Mayors and leaders from our municipalities,
Their Excellency’s Makgoshi a rena and the entire Traditional Leadership,
Stalwarts and veterans of our struggle against racism,
Acting Director General and Heads of Departments,
Representatives from various faith based organisations,
The Chairperson and members of Operating Licensing Board,
Board of Directors, CEO and staff of Gateway Airports Authority Limited,
Representatives from Transnet Freight Rail,
Representatives from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa,
Members of the Provincial Taxi Council, Driving Schools,
The Limpopo Chapter of South African Women in Transport,
Chairperson and members of the S.A National Small Bus Operators Council,
Representatives from the Religious Fraternity,
Members of the media,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Since the dawn of democracy, the Department of Transport in line with the Kliptown declaration, put into place mechanisms and services aimed at ensuring the realisation of this ideal in honour of our forebears and the public in general.
In the current era of economic transformation of our society, it has become clearer that the provision of affordable, reliable and safe transport systems is a crucial ingredient towards the ideal society envisaged in the Freedom Charter.
To this end, the National Development Plan instructs us in the Transport Sector to: “establish effective, safe and affordable public transport”. Within that context, the Limpopo Development Plan has mandated us as the Department of Transport to:
Firstly, bridge the geographic distances affordably and foster reliable and safe public transport within the province; secondly: to support economic development by easing the transportation of goods from production sites, to manufacturing and ultimately to where they are consumed. This will also facilitate local, regional and international trade;
Three: to promote low carbon economy through offering transport alternatives with reduced environmental damage.
