MINISTER RICARDO MACKENZIE AT THE BUDGET VOTE DEBATE OF THE WESTERN CAPE APPROPRIATION BILL FOR 2024
Introduction
Mobility is about enabling the Western Cape to THRIVE.
We have a Mobility budget of R9.6 billion for the three-year MTEF period and an allocation of R3 billion for the 2024/2025 financial year.
This budget, and everything we do, supports Safety and Jobs for our province.
Speaker, I want to highlight that we are not working on our transport mandate in a silo.
We are a joined-up government, in a joined-up province, committed to optimising our resources and innovating to deliver the best impact to the people of the Western Cape.
With this coordinated approach, the Western Cape Government is not only enabling job creation, but we are also helping our residents to access opportunities.
The Premier of the Western Cape made a commitment to deliver a transport voucher for people who are unemployed. We have made this happen.
Speaker, this is how the DA governs. A promise is made, and the promise is delivered.
Jobseeker Travel Voucher
Honourable Members, we have heard from jobseekers over and over again that one of their biggest hurdles is the cost of transport. The Western Cape Government is now providing tangible transport support to the many people who are actively looking for work, as part of our Growth 4 Jobs Strategy.
We are doing everything we can to grow the economy, create jobs and tackle unemployment. This is how we create hope in our province.
Our jobseeker travel voucher – called Getting YOU to Work – is removing transport barriers and enabling access to job opportunities for unemployed jobseekers. The voucher provides 12 free rides on Golden Arrow Bus Services, on weekdays between 8am and 4pm.
Speaker, I am so proud to welcome Tylor Links here this afternoon. This young lady, who lives with her grandmother in Strandfontein, successfully landed a job at a call centre company earlier this month. Our Getting YOU to Work travel voucher covered her transport for attending the interview (plus another 10 trips). She didn’t have to spend a cent getting from Strandfontein to Salt River and home again afterwards.
Thank you to the employers who have registered to partner with us on this initiative. Two of the first employers to offer our free travel vouchers during their recruitment stand out – Charis van der Merwe from GP Retail and Cheryl Paarwater from Call Lab.
Between the two of them, we have seen seven hopeful job applicants entering employment with the help of our Getting YOU to Work vouchers. Seven lives changed. Seven households with a brighter future. Seven families with hope and optimism. Enabled by Mobility.
I am excited to see more and more employers signing up on our online portal and registering their interview candidates.
We have committed R7.5 million to this programme for the year ahead.
PTOG
Honourable Members, through the R1.3 billion Public Transport Operations Grant, we manage and monitor subsidised public transport operated by Golden Arrow Bus Services.
These scheduled buses, which transport 240,000 passengers daily, are a vital part of the public transport system and economy in the metro. Golden Arrow is a beacon of stability, while our commuters have been failed by the decline of the rail system.
However, Honourable Members, the grant allocation from national government has fallen behind the rate of inflation for transport, which has risen significantly over the last few years due to fuel price increases. This ultimately means that the PTOG covers fewer kilometres. This is of course exacerbated by loadshedding and the detrimental effect of rolling blackouts on systems.
Speaker, considering this state of affairs, and to protect commuters, we engage GABS continuously to understand operational costs and advocate for minimal fare increases. We need to reduce the impact on passengers as far as possible.
I want to thank Golden Arrow, represented here today by Francois Meyer and Derick Meyer, for your partnership and commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable public transport in our province.
Dial-a-Ride
Honourable Members, another crucial subsidised transport service in the metro is Dial-a-Ride, which provides a dedicated kerb-to-kerb service for people with disabilities to be able to access economic opportunities as well as social and health facilities.
Despite the severe pressures on our budget, we have been resolute in protecting the R10 million ongoing financial support to the City of Cape Town for Dial-a-Ride.
Go George
Honourable Members, in George, the Western Cape Government has demonstrated real success with the George Integrated Public Transport Network.
Go George buses are getting people to work literally, with over 4 million passenger trips a year. More than 70% of George households make use of the Go George bus service. Residents are connected to work opportunities with an affordable, safe, and reliable public transport service.
In the past year, our Mobility team succeeded in rolling out the service in Thembalethu, after countless obstacles and setbacks with illegal transport operators in the area and the associated security risks.
This rollout is years in the making, but we did not give up or back down from delivering this service to the people of Thembalethu, so they can access opportunities, education, and social and government services. Since the launch of these new routes, passengers have doubled.
Go George is the top-performing public transport service in the country, with an on-time service 92% of the time, and over 90% passenger satisfaction rates.
And Speaker, the impact is not just the transport service and its operational excellence. Go George is a transformative boost to the economy of this important region of the Western Cape.
In George, Mobility is enabling a growing economy that will in turn create more jobs. Jobs are what our people hope for, what they deserve and what we are delivering.
We are enabling immediate benefits and economic opportunities in areas like Thembalethu, where I visited some of the vendors selling Go George tickets. These small business owners with kiosks are benefiting from our investment of R320 million, and in turn, they are creating additional opportunities in their community.
Just one of the vendors I met with – Nomzamo Ntloko – explained that she is making R14 000 a month and employing two people.
Speaker, over 600 job opportunities have been created, including bus drivers, maintenance staff, vendors, and administrative positions.
I can say with confidence that this partnership between provincial, local, and national governments – the first full transformation project done in collaboration with the minibus taxi industry in South Africa – is a success.
Honourable Members, the most recent passenger satisfaction survey results indicate overwhelmingly that Go George passengers save money, they feel safe, and they can rely on getting where they need to be on time.
Mini-Bus Taxi industry formalisation
Speaker, another area of excellence and innovation by our Mobility team is our work on formalising the minibus taxi industry to provide dignified, safe, and reliable services to commuters.
Thank you to the SANTACO-Western Cape Executive Members who have joined us here today: Mandla Hermanus, Ivan Waldeck, and Ashley October.
We saw the detrimental impact of minibus taxi operations coming to a standstill last year.
We are resolute that violence is not acceptable and cannot result in progress. The progress we are making is due to our collective commitment to talking around a table.
In the Minibus Taxi Task Team, which I set up almost a year ago, we are continuing to work closely with SANTACO-Western Cape and the City of Cape Town to address various deep-rooted challenges in the industry.
We have seen concrete outcomes from the Task Team, including the revision of our Operating Licence Conditions and breakthroughs with long-standing regulatory blockages.
I am particularly excited, Honourable Members, about the plans for the Shayela Smart programme, which will improve minibus taxi operations, and most importantly, the experience for passengers.
A lot was achieved by our Mobility team through the Blue Dot programme, and we are now building on those foundations and lessons learned.
The main elements of Shayela Smart are tracking of vehicles, training for drivers and operators, and an innovative solution for ranking, which is an ongoing challenge.
Using technology, we are developing a strategic stop-and-go rotational system with remote holding areas, which has already been piloted in the Cape Town CBD.
The Shayela Smart programme will be developed this year in conjunction with the City of Cape Town and SANTACO-Western Cape and it will inform our medium-term expenditure in support of safer minibus taxi services.
This is in addition to the training and formalisation support provided through the Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme.
Freight
Honourable Members of the house, we are maximising our freight management interventions with an R8 million budget, while strengthening our relationships with key partners.
Speaker, the collapse of Transnet and the logistics systems in South Africa has dealt a devastating blow to our private sector and economy. A functioning freight transport system is critical to enabling economic growth and job creation.
Our Freight Demand Management Model – just one of 7 key freight initiatives run by the Mobility Department – is enabling and supporting the movement of goods, while we work urgently with partners to fix freight and logistics in the Western Cape.
This collaboration includes measures to unblock the Port of Cape Town, increase private sector participation, and enhance intermodal terminals.
ITP investments to support NMT
Speaker, the Western Cape Government believes firmly in partnering and collaborating for the benefit of our residents across the province.
This year, we are providing more than R7 million in support to municipalities for their Integrated Transport Plans. This support includes the development, review, and assessment of ITPs, to ensure that pedestrians and cyclists are prioritised alongside functional and sustainable public transport systems.
Bicycle distribution benefiting small businesses
When we look at how Mobility needs to enable this province to thrive, we are not just focused on large-scale interventions. While working on immediate solutions for the public transport and freight crises, we are also dedicated to long-term, sustainable mobility.
Our Bicycle Distribution Project, with a R4 million budget, boosts community safety, scholar transport, and the local economy, while promoting bicycles as a sustainable, affordable, and healthy transport mode.
Honourable Members, bicycles change lives – getting people to work affordably, giving youngsters fun and healthy recreation options, and empowering neighbourhood watches on their patrols.
We all know the theory that bicycles change lives, but when you hear it first-hand from people whose lives have already been changed by our Bicycle Distribution Project, the impact is real.
At our recent George Bicycle Day event, where we handed over 60 bicycles to various beneficiaries, I met Nomzamo Entile, a tourism entrepreneur and previous beneficiary of the programme.
Nomzamo shared how our bicycles have enabled her business, kept her healthy, and kept money in her pocket that would normally have been spent on petrol.
We don’t just hand over bicycles and disappear. This particular event included bicycle mechanic training, learn-to-ride and safe cycling lessons, while previous recipients could bring their bicycles in for a check-up and get minor repairs and maintenance done.
This is because we know the potential impact of growing a cycling industry in a local community. Another example is Mzikhona Mgedle, who runs Langa Bicycle Hub, and is actively transforming his community with job opportunities, safety patrols, sustainable transport, and fun activities for the youngsters who are so at risk of getting sucked into crime and gangs.
One of the clearest demonstrations that bicycles enable opportunities is the private sector’s introduction of electric bicycles into the last-mile delivery sector.
I must congratulate Craig Atkinson from Green Riders for your remarkable efforts to create over 1,000 green mobility jobs, with your growing fleet of electric bikes visible across Cape Town.
Speaker, I want to encourage all Members to join me next year to ride the Cape Town Cycle Tour, and see for themselves how bicycles change lives. I didn’t complete this year’s race in record time, but I DID complete it!
Future of mobility and innovation
Honourable Members, we are working hard to position our province for the future of mobility, including a transition to low-carbon transport systems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This is in line with South Africa’s international climate commitments and the Western Cape Government’s Climate Change Strategy, which includes a target of phasing out internal combustion engines in public transport by 2040.
Our Government Motor Transport entity shows consistent dedication to innovation. We have taken the lead in South Africa with our Electric Vehicle Strategy, which we have shared with our sister provinces and colleagues in other parts of Africa.
GMT is also spearheading the transition to low-carbon electric vehicles in our own fleet, including developing charging stations, and support for the public transport sector to transition to electric vehicles.
Speaker, one of the most exciting mobility developments is our progress with embracing drone technology and the associated economic opportunities. Our government is already using drones in at least three departments.
In 2023, we became the first province in South Africa to lawfully use drones in mountain search and rescue operations.
In giving effect to its “massive transformative purpose” and its vision of offering “innovative mobility solutions”, GMT is in the process of drafting a “Western Cape Drone Strategy” for adoption by Cabinet in the new financial year.
This strategy is being developed through a collaborative approach with Western Cape Government departments, private sector players, and academia.
We are also exploring a business case for introducing “Drones as a Service” for GMT client institutions. This business model would enable clients to access advanced drone technology without upfront investments, through subscription or per-use fees for drone services.
Wherever possible, our department is pushing for mobility to enable economic growth and livelihoods.
Integrated Transport Hub
We have committed more than R80 million for our Integrated Transport Hub, to drive coordination between Disaster Management, Health & Wellness, Police Oversight and Community Safety, and partners outside of provincial government.
We have sophisticated technology and systems for our service delivery, and we are making sure that they are integrated for optimal impact.
The Integrated Transport Hub has already enabled substantial improvements in the efficiency and outcomes of our transport regulation, traffic law enforcement, and public transport management.
The systems developed through this Hub play a critical role in rolling out priority projects, like the Jobseeker Travel Voucher and our Freight Strategy.
Motor Vehicle Licensing Fees
Speaker, I must remind this house that the Mobility Department contributes a massive portion of the Western Cape’s Provincial Own Revenue through collecting Motor Vehicle Licensing Fees, amounting to R2.2 billion.
This money is shared between the Department of Infrastructure and our Mobility Department for the Western Cape’s beautiful roads and the 24/7 traffic law enforcement that makes you feel safe on those beautiful roads.
This is how we make the Western Cape work.
In the coming year, we will pay R454 million of ‘agency fees’ to municipalities, who collect the licensing fees, creating jobs and helping to build municipalities that work.
Traffic Management
Honourable Members, we are investing significant resources –
R500 million – to make our roads safer. Safety is directly related to job creation and enabling economic growth.
We see outstanding results from our Provincial Traffic Services, working in collaboration with other enforcement agencies, to apprehend habitual offenders and interrupt criminal operations on our roads.
I commend our officers for their hard work, dedication, and success! The uniformed men and women who are here with us today represent over 600 officers working across the Western Cape. We obviously cannot have them all join us today, as they are deployed across the province.
Earlier this year I welcomed 136 traffic students at our Gene Louw Traffic College for the 2024 intake. The training programme is no joke, with serious physical and academic demands. It is an exceptional work opportunity.
Close to 90% of these students will join our Provincial Traffic Services, while a small group will be employed at municipalities. All of them making the Western Cape safer FOR YOU.
Honourable Members, these traffic officers-in-training inspire hope for their families, and for our future road safety efforts.
On Saturday, we officially launched our Easter road safety campaign at Gene Louw Traffic College, where we are offering free vehicle testing to help motorists prepare for long-distance travel. We need all road users to take personal responsibility for road safety.
Speaker, I encourage the members of this house to lead by example and take their vehicles in for the free 10-point check we are offering until Thursday.
We are ready for Easter, doing everything possible to keep our residents and visitors safe on the roads during this busy holiday period.
Our Provincial Traffic teams are out in full force with high visibility patrols targeting moving violations, interprovincial corridor operations, roadblocks focused on ‘exodus’ traffic, and fatigue management interventions.
Our Road Safety Officers are also deployed across the province, working with partners to raise awareness about how to be safe while travelling.
Just yesterday we partnered with PRASA in Kayamandi where rail testing will commence soon, reminding residents of the dangers of railway crossings. Thank you to Raymond Maseko, PRASA’s General Manager in the Western Cape, for all your hard work to restore rail services to our communities.
In planning for this Easter period, we looked at the lessons learned during the December Festive Season to see how we could do things differently and enhance our efforts to prevent traffic crashes and fatalities.
With operational deployments that are informed by data analysis and boosted by advanced systems and technology, we are targeting pedestrian safety, driver and vehicle fitness, and ensuring that interventions respond to local challenges.
Honourable Members, our enforcement during this period focuses on inconsiderate driver behaviour, speeding, drunk driving, passenger overloading (in all types of vehicles), fatigue, and unroadworthy vehicles. We are prioritising systematic vehicle inspections of buses, trucks, and light delivery vehicles, which have been involved in many fatal crashes over the last month.
However, Honourable Members, no matter how intensive our road safety campaign might be, we still face the enormous challenge of changing road user behaviour.
This past week, we have already seen multiple fatal crashes where the alleged cause was inconsiderate driving or moving violations such as speeding or ignoring traffic signs and road rules.
My deepest condolences go out to those who have lost their loved ones in these tragic incidents.
We need a collective effort to reduce the number of people losing their lives on our roads; not just from enforcement agencies and road safety practitioners, but from our society at large.
Our traffic officers work hard 24 hours a day, often sacrificing precious time with their families. This Easter, I urge everyone travelling, whether long- or short-distance, to support us in the drive to reduce road fatalities in the Western Cape.
I am also urging the Members of this house, wherever they might be travelling this coming weekend, to be road safety ambassadors and make this a priority conversation around the dinner table. Let's make this Easter holiday a time of joy and safety on Western Cape roads.
Please do your part. We are committed to doing our very best to protect you out there.
Mobility as a new Department
Speaker, it is almost one year since the Mobility Department came into operation, and I am confident that the team is on track with this ambitious move.
I must congratulate and thank our HOD, senior management, and your teams. Thank you, also, to my staff in the ministry.
We recently confirmed the approval for un-freezing 195 positions. We thank the Premier for his vision in ensuring the capacity of Mobility.
While there are difficult decisions to be made when the budget is constrained, we are committed to capacitating and equipping our team to take Mobility forward. This includes R1.5 million for training and development and R1.4 million for bursaries.
Conclusion
Speaker, in conclusion, I want to come back to the upcoming Easter weekend with a practical reminder.
Road safety isn’t just a set of rules. It’s a commitment to each other's wellbeing.
We need to prioritise road safety in everything we do. Not only to protect ourselves and those around us, but to secure a safer future for all in this province.
Finally, Speaker, let me reiterate our Mobility commitment to enable this province to thrive.
We are already demonstrating this commitment in action, in our mission to create a safe, dignified, and fit-for-purpose transport system providing transformative access to opportunities for the residents of our province.
Thank you. I hereby table my budget vote for discussion, deliberation, and acceptance of this house.