South Africa’s Transport Month is celebrated annually in October to raise awareness about the importance of transport in the economy and to promote road safety. This year’s theme is “Doing more together: Building better infrastructure and delivering efficient service through collaboration.”
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy emphasised the significance of an efficient transport sector in driving economic growth. “A well-functioning transport sector is critical for our economic success. We must work together to address challenges and improve our infrastructure.”
The Department of Transport has planned various activities to showcase transport infrastructure services in aviation, maritime, public transport, and roads. The focus areas include:
- Road Safety: Advancement of road safety initiatives
- Infrastructure Development: Showcase of transport infrastructure services
- Economic Benefits: Awareness creation on the economic benefits of the transport sector
- Job Creation: Creation of jobs through infrastructure development
In Cape Town, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced a massive R43 billion infrastructure investment over three years, with a ten-year project pipeline valued at R120 billion. This investment is expected to create 135,000 jobs.
“We’re investing heavily in our city’s future,” Mayor Hill-Lewis said. “Our infrastructure plans focus on water and sanitation, public transport, energy, roads, and waste management to ensure Cape Town remains a vibrant and sustainable city.”
Key areas of focus in Cape Town include:
- Water and Sanitation: Upgrades to seven wastewater works
- Public Transport: New projects worth R21 billion along three corridors
- Energy: Adding 650 MW of independent power to the grid by 2026/27
- Roads: R5.8 billion invested in congestion relief road projects
- Waste Management: Ten new waste drop-off facilities
By combining their efforts, the government and local authorities aim to provide a safe, reliable, and efficient transport system that supports economic growth and improves the quality of life for citizens.
