Elsenberg, Winelands, 09 November 2000
"We know all too well that we have a history of violence, of conflict, of disrespect and selfishness that continually plays itself out in road rage, in contempt for the law and in indifference to the lives of fellow human beings"
The Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar handed over the first sets of road safety educational material that will be going out to all schools across our country from next year onwards. Together with the general curriculum for road safety education, the Minister also launched the class material for pre-primary school and for grades 1 to 4 and 7 to 8.
Minister Omar said that from 2001 all learners will start to be exposed to a comprehensive programme of road safety education that will be in place for pre-school level right through to grade 12. He said that road safety education develops knowledge, skills, attitudes and even more importantly - values that enable pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists, drivers and passengers to use the road safely.
Speaking at the launch of the road safety material in Stellenboch, Minister Omar stressed that he was convinced that over the next few years the Departments of Education and Transport will together be able to show the rest of the country the emergence of a new generation of conscious and committed young people who will bring fresh energy and insight to the ongoing struggle to end the carnage on our roads.
"Previously, road safety education in schools was sporadic, non-continuous or even non-existent. There were many learners who went through schooling without ever being exposed to road safety education. Like in other aspects, generally road safety education was non-existent for black children. Today we are here for the children and that gives me the opportunity to shift my focus from the great beginning you have made in your region to a wider focus on education for pedestrian safety in all the schools and communities across the face of South Africa", Omar said.
"We know all too well that we have a history of violence, of conflict, of disrespect and selfishness that continually plays itself out in road rage, in contempt for the law and in indifference to the lives of fellow human beings. The task of turning this culture around and building a new culture of care, a new culture of compassion and mutual respect, is a difficult long-term struggle. But I am completely confident that it is a struggle we can win. These are the first steps that will begin to make a significant difference to law compliance over a one to three year timescale. But they will not be sufficient in themselves. ", the Minister added.
Minister Omar also said that ‘the question that really needs answering if we are looking for long term success is this: "how do we break through to the hearts and minds of our people?" Besides law enforcement to force a change of attitude the answer can only come through education. And by this I mean, continuous, lifelong learning that begins before formal schooling, runs right through the years of primary, secondary and tertiary education and becomes a full part of adult consciousness".