12 July, 2001
- a statement on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar.
Pretoria Station, a national monument that was set ablaze in February by angry commuters resulting in unprecedented damage to property and temporary suspension of service, is set to reclaim its glory image when Minister Omar announces successful bidders tomorrow, July 12th, 2001.
Just to reiterate the incident was roundly condemned by all sectors, government and private, for destroying part of South African history.
Although it is not expected that such a tragedy will recur, it brings a perfect platform for Transport Department to demonstrate its Affirmative Action policy aimed at empowering previously disadvantaged communities. Minister Omar is to award the renovation tender to Fikile Construction, a black company, which will work in partnership with Stocks Building Africa.
South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) and Intersite Property Management Services, agencies for Department of Transport, have used the benefit of their many years experience to assemble highest quality locally produced replicas of damaged materials as opposed to Sir Herbert Baker’s imported materials in 1910. These skills will be transferred to Fikile Construction in order to make empowerment talk not rhetoric but reality.
Communication facilities have been upgraded at rail stations and we have confidence to state that commuters will be duly informed whenever a delay of service is anticipated. On the same wavelength Transport Department appeals to commuters to communicate their needs instead of resorting to disastrous actions, which are costly in terms of reparations.
ISSUED BY
Mike Mabasa
HEAD: Media Liaison and Corporate Communication
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT