Date: 13/10/2005
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Title: Cele: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport annual sports day


  Speech by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr BH Cele, at KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport annual sports day, Howard College

We are gathered here today simply because, as public servants employed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, we have realised the importance of us coming together under one roof and engaging in team building exercises such as our annual

Departmental sports day

There is no doubt in my mind that sport is one of the best ways to build unity and improve team sprit amongst all of us. Besides the numerous health benefits, sport has and continues to contribute to social integration and inclusion, as well as cultural exchange.

Furthermore, sporting activities also assist in building a culture of peace and tolerance by bringing people together on common ground, crossing national and other boundaries to promote understanding and mutual respect.

In the past, sport was used by the apartheid regime as a tool to separate communities and our people. However, today we embrace sport as a tool to unite and build our country.

For the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, the aim of this annual event is to solidify unity amongst employees of the department. This year’s theme is “Transport in Motion”. I hope that by the end of today, we would have built upon the concept of teamwork, especially the kind of teamwork that promotes cooperation and cohesiveness over competition.

The demands on us are more than ever before and we need unity and dedication in order to provide a quality service to the citizens of our province. It is only through team work and dedication that we will succeed in creating and sustaining a Department of Transport that clearly demonstrates service excellence at all levels. We are confident that these team-building exercises will strengthen relationships and communication amongst the staff of our Department.

In closing, I am sure that most of you are aware by now that the month of October has been declared “Public Transport Month”. The strategic goal of Public Transport Month is to champion the speedy transformation of public transport services.

I want to urge all our staff members to support Transport Month and to specifically support Car Free Day on 20 October. I challenge you to leave your vehicles at home and use public transport to get to work. May I also take this opportunity to wish all our Muslim staff a blessed and peaceful Ramadaan.

Lastly, together “let’s build a KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport that truly belongs to all”.

Thank you.

Issued by: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
13 October 2005