Notes for the Opening of Mpumalanga Provincial Taxi Cooperative by the Minister of Transport, Mac Maharaj
Witbank, 12 May 1999
(Guests: Premier Mathews Phosa, MEC for Transport Jackson Mthembu, chairperson of Shell Errol Marshall)
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I welcome the start of this R8 million investment in a new taxi cooperative (the second in the country).
What we are seeing in Witbank today is the start of a country-wide movement of economic empowerment of minibus taxi industry in this country whereby the taxi industry will take its rightful place in the mainstream of our economic life.
We have never underestimated the vital role that the taxi industry plays in our country and are pleased to see capital raised by it is being invested in its future growth. It is only through reinvestment that the industry will grow as an industry and not a few isolated units.
But it is important that taxi industry itself remains focussed on what its core business is and who its customers are.
It is important for the taxi industry as a whole to focus on its customers and meets their needs for efficient and effective transport.
But for this cooperative the need is to focus on getting its business up and running so that it can delivery to its customers, which is the taxi industry which pays its dues to the cooperative.
As any business starting out you need to make sure that you and your organisation is placed on sound business principles as your sustainability depends on it. It will also establish your credibility and integrity amongst other members of the financial and business community.
It is important to establish a good track record at the outset because how you behave today with either open or close doors to you in the future.
The minibus taxi industry is to be congratulated on the robust way in which they have accepted the challenges of economic empowerment.
I am pleased to hear of the co-operative spirit in which associations in this province are looking at the N4 road to Maputo.
Not only have you shown a willingness to negotiate over the road and the user costs, but you have also indicated that you are interested in investment in the projects.
I have been aware of how forces of the old order have attempted to manipulate you into opposing this development in their own selfish interests.
These people have never been interested in black economic empowerment let alone raised a voice against the oppression and exploitation under apartheid of black South Africans in the country of their birth.
But they wanted to abuse the power you have gained through your hard work to oppose the road to Maputo.
The road to Maputo is a road for all Southern Africans. It carries our dreams and hopes for a better life for all of us who live in Southern Africa.
I will not lie to you. It does come at a cost, but we have been prepared to negotiate that cost with you because we believe you are vital to the economy of this region.
No road built in this country has bankrupted a town ... roads bring people, good and services. They contribute to growth.
I am pleased to see that the construction of the road is ahead of schedule, and was particularly pleased to hear that only two fatal crashes were recorded on this stretch of road during Easter.
This is one of the prime reasons why government has redeveloped this stretch of road. Not only is it important for goods and people to move efficiently along this corridor, but it is also important that they arrive safely ... or in the words of the Departm ent of Transport's road safety campaign ... we want you to ARRIVE ALIVE.
As outgoing Minister of Transport it is rewarding to see this development as it is the fruit of the partnership we established to work together towards a better life for all South Africans.
I wish you well and it is now a great honour for me to turn the soil to start the construction of this project.