Keynote address by honourable Thobile Mhlahlo, Eastern Cape MEC for Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport at the launch of Motor Vehicle Renewal Service by the South African Post Office, Regent Hotel, East London

It is indeed a great pleasure for me to expand the motor vehicle registration renewal service to this part of our province, as it would make life easier for our people, when they want to access government services. Since last year, we have resolved to provide enabling business processes for certain transport functions to promote good governance and transportation excellence. The adopted administration processes have provided space for us to realise our objectives of maximising the principles of Batho Pele - People First, in an attempt to respond to the challenges of providing the necessary support to all our people.

The new motor vehicle registration renewal service that we are launching with the South African Post Office (SAPO) here today has already yielded good results in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. When we entered into this partnership in July 2006, there was a backlog of 1 700 transactions, which were not finalised by the department. As we speak, we are 95% up to date with the backlog.

We have been able to cut down long queues that have been experienced by our people and tremendously improved service delivery, as some of the 31 outlets in that region are available on weekends and public holidays. This is a commitment to service delivery, which I believe should be emulated by our civil service. It cannot be business as usual. Government officials, especially at local government level should adopt an innovative working culture that views our people as clients.

That approach will ensure that we continuously improve the quality of services that we provide at that level. Our people cannot continue to be subjected to a situation, where they stand in long queues to access government services. The improved service performance that is currently taking place in the Nelson Mandela Metro has encouraged us to expand the use of the Post Office for motor vehicle registration renewal to Buffalo City and King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipalities, utilising a Best Practice Model in conjunction with Business Against Crime.

This Best Practice Model features the Batho Pele Principles and has been incorporated in the service level agreements that the Department will renew on a regular basis. Our e-NaTIS Helpdesk has been restructured to conform to this Best Practice Model. We will then monitor improved service delivery on a regular basis. Clearly, the opening of this first 12 of the 30 identified sites (25 in Buffalo City and five in King Sabata Dalindyebo) will ensure that today is better than yesterday.

The first 12 sites are: Beacon Bay PO, East London PO, Mdantsane PO, Southernwood PO, Gonubie PO, Vincent PO, King Williams Town PO, Amathole PO, Viedgesville PO, Unitra PO, Mqanduli PO and Madeira PO. These outlets will have longer operational hours and I am convinced that all of them are ready to undertake this task. This service is the provincial government's major source of revenue, which is not only earmarked for road works and traffic management, but to provide an important contribution to the provincial funds in order fight poverty and underdevelopment.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Post Office and I hope we will work together in the interest of good governance and administration. This new approach does not necessary mean that we are abandoning the municipalities. The Department will continue to work with municipalities in the provision of this service and other transportation solutions. We will remain available to assist Buffalo City to develop innovative ways and means of revenue generation.

I have established Transmec, which is a structure where I interact with councillors and officials responsible for transport and infrastructure in all municipalities in the province, which is going to help all of us to facilitate service delivery to our people. Already, we are working closely with the Buffalo City Municipality in a project of integrating Mayibuye Transport Corporation services with that of the municipality to improve viability and sustainability of the service, guided by the municipality's Public Transport Plan.

This plan does feature in our Integrated Roads and Transport Master Plan, which includes the transport related infrastructure, not directly the responsibility of the Department, so that we may be in a better position to work together as different authorities for the betterment of transportation in the province. The plan will be reviewed on an annual basis as part of the department's strategic plan to take account of new and updated data and service delivery requirements.

Furthermore, we have been able to intervene on the Buffalo City infrastructure challenges through our Sakha Isizwe Learnership Project, where we have tarred the streets of Mdantsane Township Zone 17 and Zone 15 as part of our contribution to the township's Urban Renewal Programme. In conclusion, let us continue to work together as government and private sector in providing lasting solutions to the challenges that continue to haunt our young democracy.

I thank you

Issued by: Department of Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
2 October 2007