Workshop to address transport sector problems
VARIOUS challenges, ranging from the issuing of operating permits and opportunities for women, were raised at yesterday’s start of a twoday Provincial Regulatory Entity workshop in Kimberley.
The workshop, organised by the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, is aimed at addressing problems faced by the transport sector.
Various taxi associations, as well as the taxi regulatory body, the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco), and South African Women in Transport (Sanwit) formed part of the conference, which continues today.
The provincial chairperson of Sanwit, Kea Mabanga, said that besides the organisation being launched in the Northern Cape in 2009, it still feels “invisible” in the Province.
“We have been operating since 2009 but we are not recognised in the Northern Cape. Sanwit deals with many spheres of transport, including rail, aviation and maritime. Although we have members who can offer these services, we are yet to be recognised as part of this still male-dominated industry,” said Mabanga.
“There is nothing concrete the organisation has done thus far in the Province to enhance the lives of women in the transport industry. The women are here and ready but are not getting the opportunities. That is very sad as other provinces are far more advanced and gender does not pose a problem when it come to offering a service.”
Mabanga pointed out that the challenges facing the transport industry are not new, but that changes to the provincial cabinet were adversely affecting attempts to address the issues.
“These matters are not new and have been raised before. The problem, however, also lies with the fact that those put in place to address the problems, are being replaced. We have worked with various MECs over the years. We were working with the former MEC Patrick Mabilo but he was replaced. We then worked with Mac Jack, and he was also replaced. The matters raised are not new to the department but are, each time, new to the person at the helm of decision making,” she said.
The provincial chairperson of Santaco, Mazwi Nkonki, shared Mabanga’s sentiments.
“These matters are repeatedly brought up by all associations and those in the industry.
“The problem, however, does not lie with the MEC but with the premier. We have noticed that as soon as an MEC familiarises himself with the challenges in the transport industry and tries to solve them, he is replaced by someone new.
“That is very frustrating and feels like the department is not addressing the problem.
“We cannot blame the MEC as the premier is the one who reshuffles her cabinet. Reshuffling does not serve us as we have to hold people accountable,” Nkonki said.
Many of those who attended the workshop said that the event was “all talk”.
“The department is just talking and there will be no action.
“We have been struggling with the same challenges, which we have continuously raised with the department for many years.
“We have raised these challenges in meetings and conferences, yet no action has been taken by the department.
“This is going to end the same way as all the previous engagements,” they stated.
Others felt that there were underhanded operations at the department.
“There is a corrupter and corruptee element in the department, as there are permits issued without any consultation.
“There are operators who should not be in possession of permits yet they are issued with them. The application process is also dragged out as many applicants are still waiting for feedback on their applications.”
The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Pauline Williams, said that the challenges raised would be addressed at the end of the workshop.
“We do come from the background of an application backlog and work has been done by the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) to address this challenge.
“We must, however, ensure that our intentions are met with real action. “We have been talking about these issues for some time. We need our remedial actions and implementation schedules to be honoured.
“Operating licences are not mere documents and numbers but represent the livelihoods of people. These licences and their issuing are critical in deciding and shaping the economic growth of the Province,” said Williams.
The workshop continues today.