 
SPEECH BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, MR S'BU NDEBELE DURING THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE TAXI TRANSPORT BRANDING AT ROB ROY HOTEL PRESENTED ON HIS BEHALF BY DR KWAZI MBANJWA, HEAD OF THE KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT22 October 2001
Members of the media I want to thank all of you for your presence here today in what represents the culmination of our efforts to formalise the taxi industry. We are gathered here today for the official unveiling of the new branding as well as the handing over of licences of the minibus taxis operating in this province. These major steps have been taken as part of an on-going multi-pronged strategy towards making a formalised, professional, economically viable and peaceful taxi industry. The branding of the minibus taxis comes as a result of the Governments efforts to assist in the formalisation of this industry. We all know the challenges that the taxi industry had to deal with during the days of Apartheid when this industry was completely marginalized and operators harassed on daily basis. It is also well-known how the democratic Government has tried to bring this industry to where it is today. If we go back in time, we will remember that one of the challenges that the taxi industry had to deal with, was the issue of piracy. In this regard, I appointed the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to make recommendations with regards to such challenges. One of the recommendations they made was the branding of taxi transport which is about the distinctive marking of taxis by origin-destination. This would also serve as a form of identification to distinguish legal operators from illegal ones and also to create a positive public transport environment that is customer responsive. Branding will have huge benefits for taxi operators, passengers and enforcement officers. As I have indicated before, it will be easy for drivers to identify illegal operators and encroachers while passengers will not inconvenience drivers by stopping a wrong taxi. Markings on the taxis will enable passengers to easily identify a taxi by origin and destination. Branding therefore will not only eliminate unnecessary disputes but will also facilitate the speedy integration of the taxi industry into the professional business world. It is for this reason therefore, that today I am awarding more than 4000 taxi permits to four taxi associations from this province. It is very important for local taxi associations to co-operate and come forward so that the Local Road Transportation Board (LRTB) can grant permits to their members. In order for members of the various taxi associations to qualify to get permits for their members, their individual members must submit their Identity Documents, vehicle registration, and valid roadworthiness certificates. Only associations and not individual taxi owners are allowed to submit verified documents to the LRTB and receive permits on behalf of their members. The taxi permit will cost R 25 only. I would like to use this opportunity to emphasise the significance of registering since we have walked a long way with the structures of the taxi industry in ensuring their success. Having said that, I think it is important to emphasize the fact that the KwaZulu-Natal department of Transport does not just take decisions unilaterally. They are negotiated with all stakeholders, in this regard the taxi operators. As part of this consultative process, there will be rank visits as from today to the 31st of October 2001. During these rank visits, a demonstration of the proposed taxi branding will be conducted in various ranks in KwaZulu-Natal. These visits will take place in the following four regions:
However, our focus as a Department primarily lies with road safety. Although the KwaZulu-Natal department of Transport is known leads the entire country in terms of road safety awareness, I will not neglect the opportunity to emphasise the importance of driving safely. We all know that the festive season is approaching and with it comes tourists from all the corners of the country. Every festive season KwaZulu-Natal is blessed with thousands of tourists who travel on our roads. As partners in transport, I invite all taxi operators, bus operators, private transport users and all other road users to join me in making sure that our roads are peaceful and that we treat each other as we would like to be treated on the road. I thank you.
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