MEDIA ALERT

Please take note of the following Department of Transport events taking place in the coming weeks:

1. Friday, 15 August 2003: Official launch of provincial freight database commencing at 09h00 at the Yellowwood Room, Royal Hotel, Durban.

The unavailability of consolidated statistics for the movement of freight has been a long-standing problem in South Africa, for all modes of transport. There is no central statistical source of road freight data and apart from some ad hoc reports, there is very little information about the large volumes of cargo carried countrywide by road transport.

To address this need, in partnership with the National Department of Transport, the KZN Transport Department commissioned the development of a Freight Transport Data Bank. The project is effectively a Pilot Project covering freight transport in KwaZulu-Natal. The databank could be replicated in other provinces in modular form, which modules could eventually combine to create a National Data Bank.

2. Monday, 18 August 2003: Presentation and Display by KZN mini-car makers commencing at 10h30 at the KZN Department of Transport Head Office, 172 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg.

This initiative forms part of a move to assist a group of young talented KZN Midlands mini-car racing enthusiasts from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to represent the province in the prestigious national race contest organised by well-known drink company, Red Bull. The KZN Transport Department has offered financial assistance to this team as part of its commitment to youth development.

3. Official Launch of Zibambele Savings Club - Details still to be confirmed.

4. Women's Month Commemoration - Details still to be confirmed.

5. 7 - 11 September 2003: Inter-provincial Traffic Policing Conference in Cape Town. 

This year's conference hosted by the Western Cape Transport Department is the third annual inter-provincial traffic policing conference. The first conference was hosted in KZN in 2001. The theme for the conference is, 'An effective and efficient approach to traffic law enforcement'. The purpose of the conference is to utilise available knowledge, skills and competence to enhance traffic law enforcement activities. Approximately 60 traffic officers from KZN as well as representatives from all other provinces are expected to attend.

6. 19 - 25 October 2003: World Road Congress at the ICC, Durban.

The quadrennial PIARC XXIInd World Road Congress to be held for the first time in Southern Africa is set to attract over 3000 delegates from around the world. A broad spectrum of key decision-makers in the road transport sector representing government, multilateral agencies, international financial institutions, toll concessionaires, material and equipment suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, freighting companies, the civil engineering industry and educational institutions will converge on Durban during this period to engage in world-class debates about roads transport.

7. 29 October - 1 November 2003: National Driver of the Year Competition in Durban.

The aim of this competition is to encourage heavy motor vehicle drivers to accept greater responsibility for road safety, to improve their standard of driving and to create positive spin-offs for the companies who trust their drivers with these valuable assets. It is also to reward companies that have allowed their drivers to participate in the road safety programmes of the Transport Department.

All media invited to attend. Please note picture opportunities.

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