Address by the Minister of Transport Ms Dipuo Peters at the launch of the National Taxi Industry Awards – Southern Sun OR Tambo Airport
Programme Director – Mr Bafana Magagula
President of SANTACO – Ntate Phillip Taaibosch
1st and 2nd Deputy Presidents
The NEC of SANTACO
Deputy Director General - Ntate Mokonyama
Provincial and regional leadership of the taxi industry
The SANTACO Women’s Desk - Malibongwe
Representatives of Business Sponsors
SANTIA Ambassadors in particular Ntate Thuso Motaung
Officials from the Department of Transport and Ministry,
Members of the Media Houses,
Ladies and gentlemen
We are here to witness and bear testimony to the launch of a paradigm shift and behaviour changing milestone in the taxi industry. It is inspiring to note that this breakthrough has been conceptualised by the industry and for the industry as opposed to it being forced upon the industry. This change, reminds me of one of the legends from Asia who sharpened his civil and political astuteness in our country in the early years of passive resistance, this legend is none other than Mahatma Ghandi who taught us to be the change we wish to see in the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have been informed that as much as the initiative we are to launch today is the first in the taxi industry, the approach has been used widely in many industries throughout the world with remarkable success. We are going to learn about how the taxi industry adapt some aspects of the scholarly principle of the “Theory of Motivation” as researched by many pioneers such as Fredrick Hertzberg in the early 1920’s. This is in relation to his two factor theory in inspiring and changing the behaviour of the operators and that of the taxi drivers. Herzberg proved that in any work environment there are factors that stimulates the satisfaction of individuals and propels them to do more. On the other hand that there are equally other factors that diminishes the satisfaction levels of individuals. This event is about encouraging and reinforcing our taxi operators and drivers to realise their contribution to the economic and social value in the well - being of our nation and that customer satisfaction is a non – negotiable attribute for a successful and prosperous industry.
The latest National Household Travel Survey reveals some of the following unspoken truths about this industry:
- It is estimated that on an annual basis the taxi industry contribute approximately R40 billion to the Gross Domestic Product,
- It is estimated that there are about 150 000 to 200 000 taxis / taxi operators in the country,
- It is estimated that the taxi industry transport approximately 15 million commuters per day, which is 68% of all commuters; and
- It is estimated that commuters spent approximately a minimum of one hour per day travelling in a taxi.
From the above statistics it can be noted that this predominantly black, township owned industry is a source of income to many families, a catalyst for many SMMEs, an employment creator and above all a main line feeder stream to the national economy including the JSE listed entities. Each and every taxi rank in our country is an economic hub for many SMMEs and of late established franchises that are also visible in the taxi ranks.
These economic opportunities are made possible by customer volumes experienced at the ranks and inter-modal facilities.. By their own nature taxi ranks and inter-modal facilities have become public utilities that serves the interest of all commuters irrespective of the membership of the taxi operators and they must be kept clean at all times. Central to this multi - billion industry is customers and employees that deserves to be treated fairly with respect and dignity. I also want to emphasise that the taxi industry must also continue to observe and implement labour relation stipulations of employees in the sector.
It is on the basis of this background that I am excited about this recognition and reward initiative and like the Afrikaans expression goes, I would also say “ons verwelkom die agter os in die kraal”. As we approach the Local Government Election we should also be mindful of the fact that this ANC led government introduced laws and regulations to promote and support the industry. The taxi industry was neglected and left to survive on its own for many years and hence survivalist names of some of the groupings like Majakathatha.
Indeed this government come a long way with the taxi industry since 1994 when we developed the National Taxi Task Team (NTTT) that culminated in a united national taxi council called SATACO and now re-named SANTACO. One of the major findings and recommendations of the NTTT was the need for Government to intervene in the taxi industry in order to address issues of economic empowerment, regulation, skills development and training. In addressing one of the economic empowerment bottlenecks and improving the safety aspect of our commuters, Government, together with the taxi industry and commuters conceptualised what today is known as the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme and to date we have scrapped more than 65 thousand old taxi vehicles and paid out over R 3, 8bn scrapping allowances. Furthermore, we did not just pay scrapping allowance but we continued with Government’s pronouncement for the taxi industry to participate in the main stream public transport and compete for public transport contracts in the form of tendering rather than for competing or fighting for passengers on the roads.
We have introduced laws and regulations such as National Land Transport Transition Act which guides contracting authorities to provide the Integrated Public Transport Network Plans (IPTNs) which will include all modes of passenger public transport including taxis. This government’s initiatives did not only end there but also created a national strategic 2030 vision called the National Development Plan whose tag line is “Our future – Make it work”. This plan enjoins us to create a social contract that must help propel South Africa to higher levels of development as well as build a more cohesive and egalitarian society.
Ntate Taaibosch and Industry Leaders, I will be failing in my responsibilities if I don’t address the question of the use of violence in the industry to resolve differences – “Bagaetsho ntwa kgolo ke ya molomo”. I therefore 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, reliable, accessible, safe and sustainable taxi industry. The taxi industry operators should participate in the municipal planning forums and be able to contribute to the city or town’s transport plan to avoid fighting over routes especially the lucrative ones. I therefore believe that these awards will demonstrate the taxi industry’s commitment to ensure that commuters and employees are treated with dignity, and respect. With these few words I would like to leave you with a message of encouragement from one of our own legends the late President Nelson Mandela when he said “it always seems impossible until its done”.
Transport networks are the arteries of the economy, moving people to the workplace and goods to the marketplace. Therefore the reason behind SANTIA awards matter, is because transport does matter. In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity and congradulate you on this exciting initiative, which I have no doubt will be a daunting task. Jane Fonda once said : “You don’t learn from your successes, You don’t learn from awards, You don’t learn from celebrity, You only learn from wounds and scars, Mistake and failures, And that is the truth” Lets do it for the next generation of taxi operators, drivers and assistants. This industry is here to stay and it is our duty to professionalise it.
Thanks to RTMC for driver workshops and SANTACO for operation Hlokomela and the training academy. Respect yourself and others will respect you in return. Take yourselves serious and the world will take you serious. I thank you and wish you well.
