Statement by Minister of Transport Mr JT Radebe, 2010 transport project inspection and media road show

Protocol Greetings

Greetings to all representatives of the media who have joined us today to witness first hand the construction of transport infrastructure in preparation for the 2010 Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World in South Africa. As I indicated at the press briefing I convened at the TM Cup Department of Transport in April, this event signals the kick-off of a Road show we will be undertaking jointly with media to physically inspect and showcase transport projects across all host cities.

The projects to be showcased under this initiative are designed to meet three criteria namely, to fundamentally transform the public transport system in South Africa in line with the cabinet approved Public Transport Strategy and Action Plan; to accelerate public transport improvements by using 2010 as a catalyst to bring forward projects that would otherwise have been rolled out in the medium to long term; and to meet requirements for the execution of a successful event in 2010.

We are now 759 days before kick-off of the biggest sporting event, and South Africa is buzzing with excitement and construction activity. As we countdown, it is imperative that we take time to look at the progress we are making and share it with the world in order to spread the sense of excitement that is being experienced in South Africa. This is important because as we prepare to receive the world in 2010, the world must prepare to visit us. For any traveller, the best trip preparation is to get as much information as possible about your destination and mobility at the destination is usually one of the priorities. The experience of the visitors during 2010 will determine whether South Africa will become a destination of choice for tourism and business after 2010, and we as South Africans will do everything we can ensure that the visitors return.

The government is investing over R160 billion in the transportation system as part of the R400 billion plus infrastructure investment programme over the medium term. This investment is strategically spread across the various modes of transport, and in inter-modal interfaces between the modes with the intention of modernising the transportation system, improving safety and ensuring rapid and seamless mobility of people and goods.

The road system is getting over R70 billion of investment; airports are getting R19 billion; commuter rail is getting R16 billion; 2010 specific interventions have been allocated R13,6 billion; and flagship transport projects such as the Gautrain and the Gauteng Freeway Scheme cost R26 billion and R23 billion respectively. In addition, in terms of the projects we have seen to day, the N17 Nasrec Link costs R420 million and the full scale Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System has a total cost of R2 billion.

The N17 Nasrec Link is a very strategic project that links two key 2010 venues, namely the Soccer City stadium which is the home of South Africa's football and the venue for the opening and final matches in 2010; and the Orlando Stadium which has rich history in South African football and will be used as a training venue for both. This project will leave a significant TM the Confederations Cup and the World Cup and lasting legacy for footballers in terms of providing direct and rapid access to the Nasrec sports precinct.

It will also transform Soweto by providing the much needed northern ramps to the N1 freeway, improving access between Soweto and areas such as Randburg and Sandton and thereby help destroy the deliberate socio-economic barriers amongst our people that were created before our 1994 democratic dispensation. These were mobility barriers deliberately created to enforce what hitherto has been characterised as synonymous to a two economy scenario, one predominantly black and underdeveloped and the other predominantly white and very much developed. The project is structured to give 20 percent participation to targeted contractors and create 320 jobs. It is scheduled for completion in December 2009.

The BRT system will provide much needed access to the Nasrec and Ellis Park precincts, transporting large volumes of fans on event days. The design of this system ensures dedicated bus mobility in specially designed routes, with designed stops at key mobility points across the city. Major nodes such as Lenasia, Soweto, and Nasrec, central business district (CBD), Ellis Park, Rosebank and Sandton will allow the deployment of feeder systems and the incorporation of existing taxi and commuter bus operators in an integrated rapid transit system. The main legacy of this system will be the mass transportation of commuters from the southern and eastern parts of Johannesburg, linking them with major economic centres in the central business district and northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Phase one of the systems will create 51 000 job opportunities and yield 40 kilometres of the system for the Confederations Cup. When completed, the full scheme will contribute to reducing vehicular traffic in the Johannesburg area, as well as save carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which is in line with our efforts at contributing towards the reduction of global warming.

I want to thank the Gauteng MEC of Transport, the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg and MMC for Transport in the City for joining me today. This is a demonstration of our commitment and unified approach to addressing the transport challenges that face the people of Johannesburg and the Gauteng province. Finally I want to thank the CEO of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), your presence here today confirms our joint responsibility for delivering 2010 to the world. I'm absolutely confident that the media will assist us in assuring the world through these road shows that transport preparations are progressing well and on schedule for completion in time for the championship.

Thank you, and see you on the next leg in Cape Town later this month.

Issued by: Department of Transport
13 May 2008