Date: 17/04/2007

Source: Department of Transport

Title: Radebe: Launch of electronic National Traffic Information System (eNaTIS)

Address at the launch of the electronic National Traffic Information System (eNaTIS) programme by Mr Jeff Radebe, MP Minister of Transport, Johannesburg

17 April 2007

MEC Bheki Cele
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) CEO Thabo Tsholetsane
South African National Taxi Association Council (SANTACO) President Jabu Mthembu
CEOs of Transport Agencies
Chairpersons of Transport Agencies
Provincial Heads of Department
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

A special word of welcome to the MECs of Transport, provincial Heads of Departments, the Department of Transport's public and private sector partners and representatives of the media. Your presence here this morning is truly appreciated.

The electronic National Traffic Information System, known as the eNaTIS in its latest incarnation, is the product of many years of hard work by a large team of dedicated specialists, comprising employees of the Department of Transport assisted by the eNaTIS contractor, Tasima. The eNaTIS is a key national resource and replaces the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) that has been in operation for 14 years and has severe technical limitations in terms of our strategic plan to improve service delivery.

Throughout the design process management and staff at the provincial departments of transport have provided invaluable inputs in the form of evaluation and suggested enhancements as well as decision-making support. Thus making it possible to fine-tune the system to address all conceivable scenarios. This process will continue to ensure that the system incorporates functionality to deal with the latest challenges faced at operational level going forward.

Incorporating the very latest and advanced technology, the eNaTIS is on par with the very best road traffic information systems in the world in fact, such is its sophistication that it will undoubtedly set a new international benchmark. Already incorporating important open source components, the eNaTIS will continually expand its open source footprint, thereby adhering to recent government policy on free and open source software. Under its skin the eNaTIS bristles with enhancements that will provide South Africa with unparalleled transport infrastructure management capabilities.

The country's citizens will be served by a system that caters for enhanced law enforcement capabilities, specialised transactions designed to limit physical visits by members of the public to traffic departments, for example transactions done over the internet and by the use of automated teller machines (ATMs). The system will allow for the introduction of an array of new safeguards that will be aimed, in part, at eliminating corrupt licensing practices. It will provide highly effective mechanisms for traffic-related law enforcement and ensure that all registered vehicles on our roads meet stringent safety standards.

The eNaTIS will administer almost R4 billion per annum. It is deployed at more than 1 400 sites in all nine provinces at vehicle registration offices, driving licence testing centres, private and public vehicle testing centres, traffic departments, law enforcement agencies, motor vehicle manufacturers and financial institutions to name a few. The eNaTIS is used by more than 3 000 concurrent users performing between 30 000 and 40 000 transactions per hour.

The eNaTIS will allow the department to introduce the Points Demerit System (AARTO). It will also make the licensing of vehicles over the internet and at automated teller machines a possibility. Members of the public will be able to perform certain transactions electronically. This will in turn free up resources and enhance service delivery for the remaining transactions that must still be performed at our offices.

Through careful planning and research the system's design allows for further enhancements and the utilisation of new technologies, as and when the need arises. As we approach the end of the first decade of the 21st century, South Africa's citizens can rest assured that the eNaTIS will remain equal to the many challenges that the next decade is bound to bring.

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your time.

Issued by: Department of Transport
17 April 2007