BY Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
The movement of people and goods is critical to our country’s economy. Each year in October, the country observes Transport Month. This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to take a step back and reflect on the state of our roads, our transportation, and the myriad of challenges that come with it. And, most importantly, come up with sustainable solutions.
Yes, we continue to have an unacceptably high rate of road accidents and fatalities, which is bad for the economy. The state of our roads is deteriorating in front of our very own eyes, each day. At the same time, we are navigating a rapidly changing future of mobility that comes with innovations when we still grappling with daily issues.
On Wednesday, 06 October, different stakeholders in the automotive sector gathered at the Gallagher Convention Centre to witness the start of South African Auto Week 2023. This came with a packed schedule, dialogues, and promises to fix the issues that plague the sector for consumers and businesses.
The South African Auto Week 2023 is scheduled to go until Friday, 11 October, boasting a packed schedule of events and exhibitions of the latest innovations from the sector. However, the entire month of October will be filled with activities meant to draw our attention to different forms of transportation.
At the start of transport month, the spotlight fell on young, unemployed youth of Gauteng, who bear the brunt of poverty and are among the most disadvantaged.
Diageo South Africa with the Office of the Premier of Gauteng, the Department of Roads and Transport, and the Department of Economic Development announced a partnership that will assist 40,000 unemployed youth to secure learner’s licenses. This is an effort that will further their employment whilst also shaping their attitudes toward becoming wise and careful road users who play an active role in lessening road accidents. Beneficiaries of this partnership will be drawn from youth aged between 17- 34 who reside in Gauteng’s Townships, Informal Settlements, and Hostels, known as TISH.
“The Gauteng Provincial Government, in partnership with Diageo South Africa, presents an exciting opportunity for young people. Empowering Gauteng’s youth with free learner’s licenses serves as a dual-purpose endeavour. It is the first phase towards obtaining a driver’s license, which enhances employability. Additionally, this initiative actively promotes responsible driving during the learning stage, hopefully improving road safety, particularly against drinking and driving”, said Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
In partnership with the Gauteng Economic Development Department, 10,000 of the 40,000 learners’ license opportunities will be reserved for motorbike licenses to support Project Last- Mile. The Last-Mile project aims to license, train, mentor, and connect young people to job opportunities. Those interested will receive training and assistance, including access to motorbikes (options include rent-to-own, rental, or outright purchase) and contracts with industry-leading partners.
Road safety remains an important pillar of transport month and is packed with strategies and plans that lead towards the outcome of low road fatalities.
MasterDrive, a key auto industry player in road safety will be hosting annual Transport Month events for the seventh year and has come up with a host of activities around the theme of ‘Corporate accountability: driving safety in fleets’.
MasterDrive CEO, Eugene Herbert, said: “During October, we select an important issue affecting road safety to focus on, especially as we head into the Festive Season. Transport Month is an ideal opportunity to kick off safety initiatives that can assist drivers going into a season of high road fatalities.
The theme of the event is ‘Corporate accountability: driving safety in fleets.’ This includes a number of perspectives from professionals in a panel discussion entitled ‘Treading the influence’. Leaders within the tyre industry will address the importance of proper tyre care at all times, but in particular, as one is about to embark on a long trip.”
