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NATIONAL TAXI CONFERENCE14–16 September 2001
Vote of Thanks Presented by Mr S'bu Ndebele, MEC for Transport, KZN As we come to the end of our three days of intensive and extensive deliberations over the taxi industry, I believe that very few would leave today without a feeling that history has been made. The past history of transport for Blacks has been particularly painful especially for those who were forced to migrate to and from the cities. I am reminded of the reality that for every 1000 of our White compatriots there are 450 cars available whilst for every 1000 Africans there are only 20 cars. Public transport therefore in many ways represents both the present and the future for Blacks. The challenge is to make this form of transport safe for the millions who rely on it. I am particularly delighted to have been a part of this historic occasion, because it represents an opportunity for all the initiatives we have taken here in KwaZulu-Natal to now be dovetailed into one cohesive, unified and democratic taxi industry infra-structure. This occasion is in many ways reminiscent of the 1994 national general elections. Both elections heralded a magnificent success for democracy in spite of the prophets of doom predicting otherwise. Both our country and the taxi industry have emerged from a past that has been characterised by divisions and conflicts. Today, however, the industry, like our country itself, has the opportunity to speak with one voice with a singular purpose, viz. a democratic taxi industry whose goal is to provide a safe, efficient and affordable public transport service. The enormity of this responsibility cannot escape us when we realise that approximately 65% of all commuters within our country rely on taxis as the chief mode of transport. The fact that this historic conference has taken place here in KwaZulu-Natal is significant. It must be remembered that for many years KwaZulu-Natal was characterised by violence both at a political level and within the taxi industry. In a way, this conference has come to mark a symbolic effort to bury the ghosts of the past. Today public transport in KwaZulu-Natal has become an important vehicle for Black economic empowerment, and I am sure that it is so for all the other provinces. Through the sustained efforts of my department, which entailed many hours of discussions, negotiations, interventions and all other steps towards making the taxi democratisation process as inclusive as possible, I am happy to say that we have achieved milestones that a short while ago might not have seemed conceivable. Chaos has been largely replaced with legitimate regulation. Confrontation has been replaced with business development. Private sector partnerships have helped the taxi industry flex its economic muscle. Taxi legislation has formed the basis of a powerful and democratic taxi industry that is now characterised by, inter alia, a regulated public transport industry, a developed management and operational capacity through education and training, the institution of conflict management mechanisms, and a re-established business confidence in the taxi industry through local and international business solutions. Our conference started off under the dark clouds of the early spring rains of KZN. We conclude today under the glorious rays of the African sun - rays of hope for a bright future to bear the fruits of democracy whose seeds the heavy rains have nourished. Almost all speakers have mentioned the difficulties that the taxi industry has gone through. They have also mentioned the great significance of this conference for both the taxi operators and the public they serve. Our thanks go to them for their inspirational messages. However, I also want to express my sincere gratitude to all the leaders of the taxi industry that are here today for the maturity they have shown in making this conference a success. Who could have imagined seven years ago that today we would be heralding the work of an organised and democratic taxi industry that is also run on professional business lines? Yet today that is indeed the case. Who could have thought that the taxi leaders could come together in unity to draft their own constitution? And yet this is indeed what has happened. Today we stand on the threshold of promising developments to make the taxi industry the most powerful vehicle of economic regeneration whose impact on the social fabric of our nation is immeasurable. There are many people and institutions that have made this conference a success. To begin with, our appreciation must go to our genial national Minister of Transport, Mr Dullah Omar, to our very able programme director, the Reverend Dean Farisani, to all the MEC’s of the various provinces, and to the senior officials and their staff. I would also like to thank the various sponsors and exhibitors for contributing to the success of this conference. Among the other major role players in ensuring our success is the Provincial Commissioner, Mr Moses Khanyile for the professionalism of the SAPS. I also want to thank the SANDF General Tshiki for all the security apparatus and personnel, including marshals. To the IEC, thank you for your support during the election process. Of course, we acknowledge with appreciation and thanks the roles of the various commission facilitators and the many others who were responsible for administration and catering arrangements. Last but not least, our heartfelt thanks go to you delegates for the valuable contributions you have made today in shaping the history of the taxi industry in South Africa. To all of you, and to those whose roles in this conference I might have inadvertently missed, our immense gratitude. Hambani Kahle!
S’bu Ndebele
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