Prosperity through Mobility
The provision of transport is intrinsic to the creation of vibrant, livable, sustainable cities and communities. The real purpose of transport planning is the provision of access to work, social facilities such as education, hospitals, including goods and services.
As we construct and maintain roads, provide access, facilitate integrated public transport provision, advocate the safety of all road users, we firmly believe in working together with the wider community of KwaZulu-Natal to realize our departmental vision of, Prosperity through Mobility.
As the Department of Transport we need to look at the optimal ways of mass transport of people especially for the marginalised communities. We are therefore working with municipalities in developing Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks, which include Bus Rapid Transport and Rail Rapid Transport systems while integrating transport systems to encourage seamless transport.
The Department will continue with Operation KushunQuthuli which is dedicated to the upliftment of rural communities through the provision of access to schools, clinics, social amenities, including areas with agricultural potential. The department will remain focused on the creation of access through the Roads for Rural Development and pedestrian bridges programmes.
The state of the taxi industry is closer to our hearts as government, particularly because it depicts Black Economic Empowerment at its best. It is on that score that the instability of this industry is always a cause for concern. The MEC and the Provincial Leadership of the taxi industry committed themselves in working together to ensure that the taxi industry is transformed from the present state which is beset with confusion and violence to a peaceful and organized industry where lawful operators can conduct their businesses profitably. To that end, the MEC and the taxi industry have entered into a memorandum of understanding where the industry committed themselves to the following principles:
• Operate an integrated public transport services that is safe, reliable, affordable, efficient and cost effective for all
• To return the Council to an era of good governance, accountability and responsibility.
• To be the nucleus of all public passenger transport provisioning in the Province, guided by the principles of unity, safety, cost effectiveness and open and transparent administrative processes.
• To support the transformation and development of the taxi industry within the province, the department will fund programs and operations of the industry at a value of R 6.5-million. Such funding will be controlled and managed by the department in line with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
The Department will continue supporting non motorised transport to ensure that the need of those who walk or cycle are met through designing roads that provide for pedestrian lanes and cycling paths. The Department is still committed in the implementation of Shova Kalula project which entails the distribution of bicycles to schools. Matters of road safety and maintenance of such bicycles are looked into.
The Department has been instrumental in creating a number of jobs within the tight economic environment focusing especially on youth and women. The Zibambele programme is still the key initiative to eradicate poverty.
As a Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment programme, the Vukuzakhe Emerging Contractor Programme has been specifically designed to provide access to opportunities as well as empower and transfer skills to historically disadvantaged communities, thereby ensuring that more blacks actively participate in the economy of the country by owning, managing and controlling sustainable road construction entities.
