Remarks by the mayor of KwaDukuza on commencement of upgrades into the KwaDukuza and Ballito Taxi Ranks on Tuesday, 25 June 2024

Programme Director, Cllr. N.C. Mdletshe;

Speaker of Council, Cllr. G. Govender;

Members of the portfolio committee;

Chairperson of the KwaDukuza Taxi Association and members;

Members of SANTACO;

Officials from the municipality;

Consulting Engineer, Urbanru;

Members of media;

Ladies and gentlemen;

 

I am pleased to be with you here on this important occasion to mark the the official commencement of upgrades into to the KwaDukuza and Ballito taxi ranks.

This handover happens as we have just elected a new government which represent the majority of the people. This moment significantly highlights the advancement of our democracy that was established thirty years ago.

As we celebrate this historical day, we are also mindful of the backlog arising from years of the apartheid inequalities, injustices, and spatial development, which denied the majority access to safe and reliable transport.

 

Indeed, it is taking time for government and the rest of society to fully address existing imbalances between communities. We however remain optimistic that with the foundation laid since 1994, we are on course in devering our political and constitutional obligation by providing decent services including transport services to all South Africans.

Programme Director, a safe and reliable transport infrastructure is a key input within our effort to accelerate economic growth and social development in both urban and rural areas. Without safe infrastructure and services, it will be difficult for goods and people to move from one place to another, with negative implications on the economy.

Significant amounts of resources have been allocated to improve existing transport systems, while at the same time, creating new infrastructure, especially in rural and poor urban areas. Our interventions are also geared towards achieving other policy goals such as job creation, poverty eradication, skills development, and local economic development.

The launch of this project forms part of many infrastructure projects that are currently being implemented across KwaDukuza Municipality.

I must indicate that many taxi ranks are not in good condition. Beside congestions due to limited space, amongst other reasons, to some, the environment is not hospitable; it is also a big health hazard.

Many of our people continue to experience these conditions on daily basis. This is contrary to the spirit and letter of the Bill of Rights which promotes human dignity for all. Therefore, as a caring government, we have taken the initiative to work with the local taxi industry to further develop our infrastructure – to ensure quality service.

We have invested a total of R17.9 million towards upgrades to the KwaDukuza Taxi Rank and a total of R5.6 million for upgrades into the Ballito Taxi Rank.

Upgrades to KwaDukuza Taxi Rank

Consultant: Urbanru Consulting Engineers

Contractor: Edge to Edge 1154 cc

Contract amount: R17 946 577.13 (Incl. V.A.T)

Completion date: 31 March 2025

Project duration: 8 months

Job opportunities: 20 local labourers

The project deliverables were as follows:

• Removal of existing temporary ablution facility
• Provision of sanitation services for the duration of construction for public use.
• Construction of a permanent and sustainable ablution facility with paraplegic and showers for taxi drivers.
• Construction of Minibus Loading Bays Steel Roof Structure for the long-distance routes.
• Restoring structural integrity of an existing loading bays shelter with grave threatening defects in Lot 5326.
• Stormwater control for the existing loading bay structure in the local rank in Lot 4/5290.
• Unblocking of Stormwater pipe network in and around the taxi rank vicinity.
• Replacement of defective stormwater pipes. 
• Replacement of damaged manhole covers, and catchpit covers.
• Connection of new stormwater pipeline from newly constructed Steel Roof Structure to an existing pipeline.
• Construction of stormwater catch-pits for stormwater run-off.
• Unblocking of existing sewer pipeline.
• Replacement of defective sewer pipes.
• Rehabilitation of the entire Lot 3/5290 granular layer works and asphalt resurfacing.

Upgrades to Ballito Taxi Rank

Consultant: Urbanru Consulting Engineers

Contractor: Zondivila Trading CC

Contract amount: R5 607 251.08 (Incl. V.A.T)

Completion Date: 31 January 2025

Project duration: 06 months

Job opportunities: Local labourers

 

The project deliverables were as follows:

• Construction of a permanent and sustainable ablution facility with paraplegic and showers for taxi drivers.
• Construction of Minibus Loading Bays Steel Roof Structure for the long-distance routes.
• Unblocking of Stormwater pipe network in and around the taxi rank vicinity.
• Replacement of damaged manhole covers, and catch-pit covers.
• Connection of new stormwater pipeline from newly constructed Steel Roof Structure to an existing pipeline.
• Reinstatement of granular layer works and asphalt resurfacing.

I wish to commend the community services and public amenities department and the portfolio committee, for their stewardship at ensuring that this project becomes a reality.

Importantly, we thank the local associations for taking the lead in making this project a reality.

We appreciate the effort that has been put by all stakeholders as we continue to strive to improve the economic life of our communities, making our taxi ranks hospitable, and promoting our endeavor of promoting a safe and reliable transport system.

We also appreciate the restoration of peace within the taxi industry. You will recall that there have been many incidences in the past which took the lives of tens of our people. We say that history no belong in the past as we continue to work together in promoting economic development underpinned by state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Promoting safe and reliable transport is multifaceted, it includes many interventions, amongst them, the construction of taxi ranks, as we are witnessing today. There are other complimentary interventions that need to be addressed to create a modern transport infrastructure that is responsive to the needs of all citizens.

KwaDukuza Municipality has a role to play in rehabilitating the existing infrastructure while at the same time improving law and order.

With those words, I wish to say that this is your facility. You should contribute by reporting negligence and vandalism as and when they happen.

Let me conclude by thanking the Taxi Association for working with us and in assisting our people with public transportation. 

I wish to thank all stakeholders and the public for your continued partnership. Working together, we can do more.

Thank you!