SPEECH BY KWAZULU-NATAL MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, MR S'BU NDEBELE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW CORPORATE IDENTITY OF MAINLINE PASSENGER SERVICES

8 June 2001

Master of Ceremonies
Pietermaritzburg Mayor, Mr Hloni Zondi
Spoornet CEO Zandile Jakavula
KZN Transport Head, Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa
Senior Officials from Spoornet
Senior Officials from KZN Transport Department
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

It will be remembered that it was here at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station where Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of the train simply because he dared to sit in a couch reserved exclusively for Whites. It will also be remembered that the call "Azikhwelwa" (We are not going to work) was originally a response against Apartheid within the transport sector. These Apartheid policies hampered not only the progress of the transport sector only but had a debilitating effect on the overall economy of the country. Today we will be travelling together singing Shosholoza and reaping the fruits of the democratisation of this sector. Indeed, Gandhi must be smiling in his grave.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me first congratulate Spoornet for the Launch of the new Corporate Identity for its Mainline Passenger Services. The new identity comes at a time when the transport sector in South Africa has regained its rightful place in our country's economy. I say this because previously transport was used to divide the people and yet today the very same transport is used to unite the people.

You have indicated that our theme for this launch is based on "an experience that brings together our rich diversity and vibrancy, as we travel together we sing Shosholoza - A Pleasant Experience."

In his State of the Nation Address, President Thabo Mbeki stated that the Government will embark upon a managed liberalisation of the energy and transport sectors and that this will in turn be accompanied by restructuring and new investments in the infrastructure affecting these sectors. The launch of the new Corporate Identity of Mainline Passenger Services comes at a time when the Government has already made major strides towards the creation of a healthy investment climate within the transport sector. The ideas towards the creation of a vibrant transport industry in this country are contained in the Moving South Africa Project. The mandate of this long-term project is to "develop a strategy to ensure that the transportation system in South Africa meets the needs of South Africa in the twentieth century and therefore contribute to the country's growth and economic development".

One immediately recognises that your new corporate identity embraces the values of efficiency and inclusivity inherent in our African Renaissance Ideal. The restructuring and repositioning of modes through identification of opportunities within land and rail transportation sectors will see the transformation of our province's public transportation system into systems which:

• Satisfy passenger needs in terms of accessibility, mobility and affordability.

• Bring about a marked improvement in levels of efficiency and effectiveness in the current system.

• Assist in containing and ultimately reducing dependence on subsidisation.

• Broaden the beneficiary base to a wider cross-section of potential users and service providers

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport understands that for the economy to grow, an efficient transportation becomes imperative. Our job within the department of Transport is to provide infrastructure and eliminate inefficiencies to reduce the cost. In this regard the key strategic intervention we are making as a Department is to open the provincial economy by:

• Developing a Provincial Road Network linking various economic zones and modal points, e.g. Lubombo SDI, Pietermaritzburg, Melmoth Link

• Developing rural road network linking communities to social amenities and local and regional economic opportunities.

These strategic interventions go hand in hand with the restructuring of Spoornet. We have already have discussions with Spoornet with regards to the following:

• Identification of rail lines, which contribute towards the development of the provincial economy and tourism.

• Options for public-private partnerships, e.g. private concessions (outsourcing management of operations and the state retaining ownership of infrastructure and rolling stock).

• Private ownership of rolling stock

Our efforts as the KZN Department of Transport are guided by the following imperatives:

• The economy must grow

• Government must deliver on the services it has been mandated to deliver

• Previously disadvantaged groups must be integrated into the economic activities at all levels

The Province of KwaZulu-Natal as with the rest of South Africa faces a major challenge in terms of addressing the historically rooted inefficiencies inherent in its public transportation systems. Land use distortions brought about by past policies of separate development have led to urban sprawl, inefficient cities and towns which in turn had a negative impact on accessibility and increased mobility needs of displaced communities. For this reason my Department has embarked upon a massive project to build and upgrade roads in this province as a way of meeting the challenges of an integrated transport system.

The African Renaissance Road Construction Programme will ensure the surfacing of roads to a total of 348 km at a cost of R 452,3 million. This programme seeks to level the economic playing field for rural people so that they too can play a meaningful role as service providers in terms of the new arrangement between Spoornet and the Government. 

In the final analysis, I find it an extremely exciting and "A Pleasant Experience" to be with you during the unveiling of this new Corporate Identity. I wish you all the best.

I thank you.

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