Edition October 2024

According to the White Paper on Transport Policy, the goal of transport is to provide safe, reliable, effective, efficient, environmentally benign and fully integrated transport operations and infrastructure that will best meet the needs of freight and passenger customers, improving levels of service and cost in a manner that supports government strategies for economic and social development while being environmentally and economically sustainable.

Today, while the department acknowledges the various challenges affecting the entire transport system, especially the disconnect between policy and reality, the 2024 October Transport Month (OTM) Campaign continues to raise awareness on the important role of transport in the economy and the steps we are constantly taking to ensure sustainable improvements.

The campaign was conceived by the Transport Lekgotla, approved by Cabinet in 2005, and launched to promote and encourage the use of public transport as we set out to ad dress congestion on our roads, reduce transport’s carbon footprint – especially worsened by congestion – and address the risks affecting road users.

Highlighting achievement

Over time, the annual campaign has expanded into a month-long series of events and exhibitions, all of which have been used to highlight various improvements and milestones achieved across all modes of transport.

The 2024 OTM Campaign puts a spotlight on the extent to which we are addressing the risks and inefficiencies of provincial and municipal roads, unreliable and costly land-based public transport, inefficient ports and freight logistics, lack of critical skills in the sector, ineffective planning and a lack of budgetary coordination across spheres of government, outdated and inefficient infrastructure, and other critical challenges that are being addressed.

Addressing challenges

The campaign demonstrates the strong will and commitment needed on the part of the government to address the challenges our nation is facing, such as the impact of apartheid spatial planning on the costs of travel. In keeping with the ideal of a better society, the campaign highlights the specific contributions we are making towards addressing the discouraging levels of unemployment and the general lack of opportunity to participate in the economy for the majority of South Africans, especially women, youth, persons with disabilities and all historically excluded persons.

Given the department’s recognition of the important role of transport as an enabler of economic and social development, it has ensured that it lives up to its mandate by continuously developing capabilities, strengthening its implementing agents, and building on the opportunities inherent in constitutionally defined cooperative governance. Concerning implementing agencies, the campaign will certainly showcase notable achievements by transport entities, especially in their infrastructure development roles and in the delivery of efficient, cost-effective, safe and accessible transport services.

There remains a great need for continuous improvement in intergovernmental coordination. Through cooperation across spheres of government, we have managed to agree on and apply effective solutions to infrastructure maintenance and address the challenge of fixing potholes that litter our roads across provinces and municipalities. We also highlight the achievements of our collaboration with sister departments to reconstruct bridges damaged by the floods of recent years.

Building partnerships

The 2024 OTM Campaign will prove that the department is committed to building the necessary partnerships to bring about sustainable progress to the entire transport system, showcasing progress gained with private sector elements such as the Gibela Consortium in the manufacture of train sets, universities in the development of skills, research institutions towards needed innovation, and other partners towards the resolution of transport challenges such as road safety.

The 2024 OTM Campaign will also highlight the gains we are making in responding to operational, infrastructure, and other   needs, including the human capital needs of South Africa’s transport system. The campaign will prove that major advances are being made across all modes of transport to improve safety and security across the system, to improve system efficiencies, to reduce the costs of doing business, and to develop a reliable and competitive system for the seamless movement of people and freight.

Transformation

The annual campaign will continue to demonstrate the extent to which the department is transforming the policy and regulatory framework to address systemic and structural weaknesses that have stifled   the overall development of the transport sector. The need to introduce reforms in the transport sector, formulate new and enabling legislation and build partnerships across society to secure needed resources, expertise, and efficiencies are among the central highlights of the 2024 OTM.

Through the work of our entities, we are implementing changes that contribute to the broader objectives of government and “move the needle” by supplying enabling public infrastructure and responsive services, ensuring job creation; and developing industries as we carry out these tasks with a clear focus on improving people’s standards of living.

Through nationally coordinated events, exhibitions, public statements, talk shows and other media, the campaign will engage stakeholders on the critically important role of transport, beyond just mobility, to the essential creation of jobs, the development of skills, and the overall development and growth of transport industries. Given the department’s commitment to safety across all modes of transport, OTM is also characterised by programmes that ensure that South Africans stay informed through awareness and education campaigns about the steps being taken to effectively reduce fatalities on our roads, in the maritime sector and in general aviation.