Limpopo Premier, Mr Stanley Mathabatha,

Minister of Transport, Ms. Dipuo Peters,

Deputy Minister of Transport Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga,

CEOs of state owned companies,

Councillor M Mapoulo, Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality                

Councillor Greaver, Mayor of Polokwane Local Municipality,

Traditional and religious leaders,

The community of Mankweng and surroundings,

 

We greet you all in this beautiful province of Limpopo.

 

Limpopo is home to many outstanding heroes and heroines of the struggle that created the freedom and democracy we enjoy today.

We are reminded of these heroes and heroines as we prepare to celebrate 20 years of freedom and democracy next year.

 

It is a freedom that they dedicated their lives and times to achieving. It is thus always a pleasure to come to this province which is home to the ANC’s former president Sefako Makgatho, and to many other outstanding freedom fighters.

 

They include Peter Nchabeleng, Elias Motsoaledi,Lawrence Phukanuka, Ntante Mampuru, Mark Shope, Cde Maleka, Flag Boshielo andMakgapatona,  TT Tsholo, Ike Maphoto, Josh Phala,  Parapara Mothupi,John Nkadimeng, Nelson Diale and Rashaka Ratshitanga.

The younger generation includes Peter Mokaba, Ignatius Mathebula, Ngoako Ramalepe and Frank Mohlala. We are also meeting at the University of Limpopo, which was a site of struggle. Then called Turfloop University, it produced many fearless freedom fighters who were always ready to take on the apartheid state.

 

It was at this university that Abram Tiro made his famous speech denouncing Bantu education during a graduation ceremony, leading to his expulsion.

Encouraged by the spirit of these South Africans who put their country first, we are encouraged to work harder each day, to make South Africa a better place, and to make the lives of our people better in various ways.

 

Our presence here today is part of those efforts of improving lives through improving infrastructure.

We have just officially opened the R81 road from herein Polokwane to Giyani.  The opening of the road is one of the major highlights of October Transport Month activities and also forms part of government’s programme of rolling out infrastructure projects.

 

Municipalities which are set to benefit from this road are Capricorn District Municipality, Polokwane Local Municipality and Mopani District municipality. The road is also expected to expedite the time of doing business between Polokwane and Giyani.

We have invested R245 million rand in the construction of the R81 which will make it easier to move people and goods between Polokwane and Giyani.

We are also pleased with the tremendous progress that has been registered in the construction R71 Road between Polokwane and Tzaneen.

 

A broader road will be more passable, and will lessen the accidents, especially as we know that this road is used by a lot of the members of the Zion Christian Church in their pilgrimages to the church. 

The R71 also leads to the Kruger National Park, and it will therefore allow smooth movement to tourist destinations in the Province.  

 

We have prioritized the development of economic infrastructure such as roads, railway lines, airports, pipelines, ports and harbours, as well as social infrastructure such as water, sanitation or electricity.

 

The overall objective is to develop infrastructure that will boost economic development and inclusive growth, create jobs and also improve the living and working conditions of our people.

A few weeks ago we heard that tourist numbers to South Africa increased drastically from the previous years.

This increase can easily be attributed to some of our world class transport infrastructure that includes roads and airports and the services they provide. It is easy to reach South Africa due to good roads, airports and ports.

 

We want to create this infrastructure that makes life easy everywhere, not just in the big cities.

That is why we have upgraded roads here in Limpopo and in other parts of the country.

Therefore, our effort to make transport the heartbeat of the economy continues, in both rural and urban areas.

 

We take infrastructure so seriously that it is coordinated in the Presidency, through the Presidential Infrastructure

Coordination Commission or the PICC.

As the PICC, we meet at national, provincial and local government level as the PICC, to discuss the implementation of all Strategic Infrastructure Projects and monitor their progress.

 

The infrastructure plan on the scale needed to change the economy and our social landscape is expensive but necessary.

We have 750 000 kilometres of roads in SA. We spend about 10 billion rand to service and re-tar roads each year.

 

Looking at the cost of roads alone, it is not surprising that the cost of the Infrastructure Projects that we are working on is estimated at about four trillion rands over the next 15 years.  But it is certainly value for money. An investment in better roads, in electricity ,water, housing, airports, ports can only boost the economy and improve the quality of life.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

As said earlier, October is Transport Month. We dedicate this month to promoting all matters related to transport, from infrastructure to road safety.

Let me therefore remind you all of the need to obey the rules of the road. We have had some horrific collisions in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal last month, which claimed dozens of lives.

At least 14-thousand people die on our roads every year and 46% of these are pedestrians. Bread winners are taken away from their families.  People lose their loved ones in horrific ways. Our economy bleeds at least 306 billion rand every year.

 

This situation is abnormal. We need a radical change of attitude and commit to work on reducing the road carnage.

 

I urge all South Africans to obey the rules of the road without exception at all times. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol. Respect fellow road users. Be part of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety and make a difference.

I urge all, young and old to take road safety seriously. Road Safety Begins With You!

Compatriots

 

Let me reiterate how happy we are to be with you hereat this historic university.

We trust that the new roads will add to the many programmes of government that make life better each day.

 

I thank you.