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SPEECH BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, MR S'BU NDEBELE DURING THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF HIV/AIDS RESOURCE CENTRE AT IMPENDLE TAXI RANK10 October 2002
Programme Director Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for attending the launch of our HIV/AIDS Resource Centre. No sober-minded person will ever deny the fact that AIDS is humanity's most formidable enemy today. It will be remembered that on 9 October 1998, the then Deputy President Thabo Mbeki made a plea to all South Africans to join the Government in a fight against the HIV/AIDS. The KZN Department of Transport is proud of the fact that it has taken innovative steps towards addressing the serious problem of AIDS/HIV within the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. Several studies have revealed that, since all modes of transport ferry people from place to place, they therefore become potential catalysts in the transmission of HIV/AIDS. As a result, the transport industry, among other industries, is also associated with the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the province and indeed in the entire country. In cognisance of the fact that perceptions are rife within our communities that the South African transport industry - especially shipping, trucking and taxis - enjoys a 'liberated' lifestyle, and is therefore arguably more susceptible to this pandemic than any other sector, the Department has moved swiftly towards curbing the disease. As one of the ways of addressing the problem of HIV/AIDS, the Department initiated AIDS AWARENESS PROGRAMMES in 2001 through road shows that targeted the trucking and taxi industries. A budget of R800 000 for the 2001/2002 financial year was allocated in order to execute these programmes. One of the key components of the programme is the formation of Workplace Committees to take care of at the welfare of staff within the various sectors of the transport industry. The Department is working in conjunction with the Department of Health and with Petronet to launch eight resource centres for the benefit of the taxi industry across KwaZulu-Natal. These centres will serve as the Taxi Rank Office for a particular region as well as an HIV/AIDS centre for HIV/AIDS counselling and testing. The KZN Department of Transport intends establishing HIV/AIDS clinics at its Head Office in Pietermaritzburg as well as at its four regional One Stop Shops located at Empangeni, Ladysmith, Durban and Pietermaritzburg, respectively. The Department is currently working with NGO's, the National Bargaining Council, The Learning Clinic and the KZN Department of Health in setting up HIV/AIDS clinics throughout KwaZulu-Natal. These Centres will be dedicated to the needs of the trucking industry in our Province. As an example, the Tugela Truck Inn Clinic is already up and running and will be officially launched soon. In the final analysis, I want to thank all organisers of this event for the time, energy and effort they have made to ensure its success. I thank you.
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