In 1999, Government with the taxi industry entered into a Memorandum Of Understanding as recommended by the National Taxi Task Team (NTTT) which was initiated by government in 1995. The NTTT recommended that for the taxi industry to become an efficient business entity that properly subscribes to law there should be regulation, formalisation and economic empowerment. At the time the South African Taxi Council (SATACO) was an interim body representing the taxi industry, the purpose of which was to help facilitate a movement towards establishment of a united structure representing all formations within the taxi industry. However, the late Transport Minister Mr Dullar Omar with means of incorporating structures that operated outside the parameters of SATACO revised the MOU. In April 2001 a revised MOU was signed between three formations in the industry namely; SATACO, Provincial Taxi Councils (PROTACOs) and the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) as well as government (nationally and provincially). All parties committed themselves to bring about lasting unity within the minibus taxi industry on the basis of transparency, integrity and the establishment of a united body representing the industry on a democratic basis.

Realizing that SATACO did not meet its mandate of ensuring that a democratically elected body is put in place, the NCPC was subsequently established and was made of the late Minister of Transport Mr Dullar Omar, 9 Transport MECs and members of the taxi industry. The committee was chaired on behalf of the national minister by the then Northern Province MEC for Transport Dr T.S Farisani. The NCPC engaged in roadshows to all provinces lobbying their buy-in and commitment to the processes of democratization and unification in the taxi industry. The democratization processes unfolded in provinces and elections were held from association to Provincial level. At the time of the national elections preparations, all PROTACOs had democratized and submitted reports during the conference.

At the national conference, three main structures in the taxi industry SATACO, PROTACOs and NTA signed a Joint Declaration committing to the unification cause of the industry. This was viewed as a humongous achievement in the history of the taxi industry and a paradigm shift that will see long lasting stability and consistent prosperity of this unique sector.

Never has it been, even during the elevation of the South African Black Taxi Association (SABTA) to significant growth, that the taxi industry found itself shelving differences of opinion aside to set way for a new beginning. On September 16, 2001 a new and democratically elected executive was announced led by President Tom Muofhe. It is this body that has been working tirelessly with government to ensure that the desired objectives of the taxi operators in the country are met.

Links to the founding statement, we have:
Joint Declaration made by SATACO, NTA and PROTACOs
Provincial Consultative Conference Report
Provincial reports presented by chairpersons: Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Kwa Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Free State and Western Cape.
Speeches

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Provincial Consultative Conference (PCCs)

In line with the work plan of the NCPC, Provincial Consultative Conferences were held at all the provinces. The main purpose of he PCCs was to workshop the Draft Constitution. Provincial Consultative Conferences were held in the following order:

The process was supposed to be such that the Constitution Drafting Team (CDT) would present the draft Constitution, after which, the provinces would make their submissions.

However, owing to the varying state of readiness of the provinces, only two provinces (the North West and the Northern Province) made submissions, even then it was regional submissions by North West and Provincial Submissions came only from the Northern Province.

In each of these conferences, the Chairperson took a core team of three leaders from each of the three parties. These were Mr. C Ngiba-Chairperson of the Kwa Zulu/Natal Provincial Taxi Council representing, the PROTACOs, and Mr. K. Muofhe-Chairperson of the Northern Province Taxi Council, representing SATACO and Mr. S. Mabaso- Chairperson of NTA, representing Mother bodies.

Evaluation of the PCCs

Free State and Mpumalanga

The first conference took place in the Free State on the 1st August 2001. Two days later, 3rd August 2001 it was in Mpumalanga. These being the first, there were bound to be problems around the organization in the provinces as well as among members of the CDT.

In the sitting of the 7th August 2001, the NCPC reviewed its performance after the first two conferences in the Free State and Mpumalanga.

The following were outlined as weaknesses,

North West Province

We went to the North West Province with the benefit of two experiences and the evaluation by the NCPC.

The North West Province proved to be the second most successful of all the PCCs. Reasons for that are multiple.

Internal Factors
1. It was clear that the members of the industry in the North West had extensive discussions (including at regional level) on the document.
2. The North West leadership regularly updated its membership on the activities of the NCPC
3. The organizational capacity of the North West leadership is meticulous.
4. Extensive consultations were happening between the North West Leadership and the government both at National and Provincial level.
5. Regions were ready with their submissions rather than awaiting the NCPC to come and make its presentations.
External Factors (NCPC)
1. The NCPC had the benefit of two experiences, with on almost a failure.
2. The NCPC had the opportunity to evaluate its performance from previous PCCs.
3. There was a clear strategy in approach, such that there was flexibility on the part of the presenters when they realized that the conditions were somewhat different from what they had prepared for.
4. The presentations were Taxi Industry led.
Except for the Northern Province, all the above provinces were inadequately prepared in terms of their input to the constitution. This is largely owing to two reasons:

1. Local NCPC members did not do their homework in terms of distributing the copy of the constitution and facilitating discussions prior to the conference.
2. Time management was also a problem, these even after lessons from at least three provinces, the designing of the programme was a bit ambitious as too much was to be done in a short space of time.

Western Cape

In addition to the above, the Western Cape appears to have a leadership crisis in that they have not yet democratized. This is a serious problem when it comes to the question of legitimacy in their leadership.

The NCPC, through its chairperson, intervened in this matter. Arrangements were made whereby talks between both parties in conflict were brokered.

Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape has democratized, however a substantial number of associations were left outside the process. The compounding factor is that there is continued violence and loss of lives in this province.

The NCPC therefore went to East London with a twofold mission:
> To facilitate the consultative conference;
> To broker a settlement between the Eastern Cape Taxi Task Team and the Eastern Cape ProvincialTaxi Council.
On the 29th August 2001, the day of our arrival there, we faced threats of disruption by the group that was outside the jurisdiction of the Eastern Cape Taxi Council. We intervened by assuring them that their concerns would be addressed, but not at the expense of the conference.

On the 31st September, a meeting Chaired by Minister Farisani was held between the two parties. The meeting was a result of the request by the Eastern Cape Taxi Task Team and officials of the Department of Transport (Eastern Cape).

The purpose of the meeting was:
1. To revive/ revise the agreement;
2. Develop a unifying programme of action.

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Challenges

Other provinces

As for other provinces, especially given that they had time to prepare as compared to the first three, there wasn't anything remarkably different from the first two that is worth mentioning.

8.1 Eastern Cape Province

Greetings to the Program Director, Minister and Messrs and delegates.
Through democratisation the council was elected 2000 December 6,7 and 8.

From there we launched programs like 'Be legal campaign', Provincial stickers and other. Through the NCPC process influence the MEC and Head of Department we managed to bring all parties together as an industry in the Province. We therefore commit ourselves in any process, which will empower and bring peace in the Industry. We want to remind people about TETA.

We therefore thank everybody

8.2 Free State Province

'This Conference marks the end of an era in the taxi industry characterized by division, fighting and poverty. A new era founded on unity, peace and economic prosperity is being ushered in today'

Democratization process

The argument about which Province started with the democratization processes in the taxi industry is about to be laid to rest forever. Taking cognisance of the NTTT final resolutions, the Free State is the first Province to do the following in implementing those resolutions:
I. Adopt the standard constitution and put in place a code of conduct for all Taxi structures in the Free State.
II. In conjunction with Free State Department of Transport, putted in place and implemented the Free State Interim Transport Act.
III. Conducted democratic elections for Associations, Regional and Provincial Taxi Council in 1997 - 1999.
IV. Designed and signed the Memorandum of Understanding in terms of Cross -Border and Inter-Provincial Taxi Operations.
To date, the Free State Province has conducted three sessions NOF democratic elections while other Provinces have only done so for the first time yesterday and yet they reported and claim to be pioneers in this process.

Recapitalisation

The Free State Highly esteems the recap process and perceives it as a means of ending particularly poverty in the taxi industry. All stakeholders are to benefit from this process, for example,
I. Operators: financial empowerment through subsidies
ii. Drivers: Better conditions of employment and benefits
iii.Commuters: safe comfortable and reliable transport
NCPC Process

This process started on the 08th of August 2001 and was hence taken to regions. After regions were consulted, the final position of the Free State was enacted.

8.3 Gauteng Province

Introduction

The Gauteng Taxi Council came into existence on the 15th June 2000. This was a culmination of the Democratisation process that was initiated in 1999. All regions were conducted on a proportional representative basis. The process encompassed all Associations including those affiliated to Motherbodies.

Our executive comprise of fourteen members with a MANCO of fifty-three members. All members are spread throughout the five regions in Gauteng.

Our next conference will be held in 2001, with our first Annual General Meeting to be held soon.

Our offices are located in the inner city of Johannesburg where we share space with our Provincial Co-operative. This was done with the assistance of the Gauteng Provincial Government.

Background

The above-mentioned process must be seen against the background of the NTTT recommendations of which many of us here were part of. It was a phase that was to usher in the formalisation and regulations of the Taxi Industry.

With Democratisation having gone this far, our ultimate goal will be reached today.

We need to ensure that by the time we get out of this conference we would have taken decisions on the matters such as:

All these and more will put us on a new footing as the pioneers of Black Economic Empowerment.

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Political Environment

Our conduct in the past was a reflection of the Apartheid environment of violence and force that we lived under but there should be little wonder then that we became a direct product of that environment in terms of our behaviour.
However the advent of democracy provides us with an opportunity to mend our ways. We have a government that has shown care like no other in the history of our existence. We must however retain our objectivity in dealing with the government in-spite-of its benevolence.

I believe therefore, that this favourable environment must be fully taken advantage of. For failure on our part to take this opportunity will only in the interest of those that have always treated us gutter business people.

Once we are a united industry that speaks with one voice. Once we were prosperous and recapitalized without problems during those great days of South African Black Taxi Association (SABTA). The last time we were one body under one umbrella was under SABTA.

However, as was tradition with the apartheid regime, this body was infiltrated by force of evil that would not want to see black success. An opportunity has risen to return to those great days of oneness. We should therefore not be found wanting during this great moment of our history. All negative tendencies must be buried today once and for all.

Conclusion

We recommend to government that the new body we elect today must have statutory powers. We ask the same for its Provincial affiliates.

In conclusion, I wish to say that this conference will candidly deliberate on all challenges that face our industry with the actual aim of taking us to the future.
I hope that we will address the issues of time frames of the set up of office such that nothing delays us further.

Thank you for your time.

8.4 Kwa Zulu/Natal Province

The Honourable Deputy President, Honourable Mr Adbullah Omar Minister of Transport, Honourable Premier KZN Mr L Mtshali, Honourable MECs of Transport, His Worship Mayor of Ethekwini/Durban, Dignitaries, Ladies and Gentleman.

On behalf of the Taxi Industry of KZN. I greet you all with unity, peace, harmony, and God's richest blessing.

Taxi Participation

As you are all aware during 1995/1996 the various provinces participated in the NTTT (National Taxi Task Team), which comprised of Government, and that was the beginning of a process within the Taxi Industry and Government. In 1995 the MEC of KZN met with the various leaders of the Taxi Industry whereby some meetings were held in this very building. At that time there was five different Taxi Organizations. During the same year the KZN Taxi Task Team was born, ± 19 Taxi Representatives and 19 Government Representatives.

Registration Process

The registration process of associations and Regions began in 1996 to 1998.
Whereby 252 Taxi Associations and 16 Regions were registered. The routes were also advertised for objections or support.

Democratisation Process

The KZN Taxi Task Team requested the KZN D.O.T. if they couldn't handle the elections instead of consultants. The Department agreed and elections were conducted by the Taxi Industry themselves from the Primary, Regional and Provincial elections.

Four members per associations to Region, four members per Region to Provinces, which gave us 64 members to make MANCO, one member per Region gave us sixteen members to make up the Provincial executive.

8.5 Mpumalanga Province

Honorable Minister, MECs and honorable guests and colleagues

Democracy has been practiced in Mpumalanga from:

All structures have adopted the Constitution. We did experience problems but here we are today, we were successful. We have made it. Our MEC Mr. Steve Mabona, Taxi Office, Office of the Registrar and all executive of our Taxi association have all acted in unity.

Without boasting Mr. Programme director, I want to inform the conference that MEC Mabona went all out to get the services of the IEC in order to ensure free and fair elections. I know the wisest Province, the only Mpumalanga and the National Department uses the IEC. I am therefore a product of a truly democratic process.

We are proud today to say that, we as Mpumalanga will be making history in Participation of the formation of the new united National Taxi Body. We want to say forward ever. Mpumalanga support and pledge its support of the new elected executive here today. Our quietness in Mpumalanga Taxi Industry is determined by operation.

I thank you.

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8.6 North West Province

Introduction

The establishment of Taxi representative structures came about as a result of the proposed democratization of the Taxi Industry for the entire country, i.e. from Primary Association level, Regional Council level, Provincial Council level to the National level.

The North West Province therefore responded positively to this call and united the Taxi Industry.

Democratisation Process
The North West Province is divided into five regions.

The elections in each region started with the participation of Primary Associations and their members to nominate, through a secret ballot system, two representatives who would serve in the General Regional Taxi Council.

The Five Regions and Election Details
a) Eastern Region. 22 Primary Associations. 2464 members 3489
b) Central Region: 26 Primary Associations : 911 Members 748
c) Northern Region. 34 Primary Associations: 1513 members 2295
d) Southern Region: 22 Primary Associations: 1511 members 2424
e) Bophirima Region: 23 Primary Associations : 516 Members 748
Electoral Committees were established in each region. Credible voters for legal operators were compiled.
Appointment of an independent electoral efficient company, from Isisele Communications was appointed to ensure that the elections should be credible, just and fair.

Provincial Congress: 27-28 October 2000
During the Provincial elections operators from the five regions were divided onto five commissions:
a) Be Legal Campaign
b) Taxi Recapitalisation Strategy
c) SATACO Constitution and Principles
d) Taxi Summit Report on Permissions Radius, Contract based, Route base, multi-route and network
8.7 Western Cape

Honourable Minister of Transport, Doctor Omar, Programme Director, Dr Farisani, Provincial MECs, honoured guests and delegates.

Firstly, we would like to report that the Western Cape fully supports the process of democratization, which has led to our being here today. The 89 delegates from our province have come here today to further commit ourselves to this process.

We have started the process of democratization in our province and discussions are underway between stakeholders in our taxi industry to finalise our programme for the election of regional and provincial representative structure. We wish to take this opportunity to thank all the members of our industry and the Provincial Transport Branch for showing their commitment to this process and agreeing that the democratization process will be completed by the end of December 2001.

We further commit ourselves to working with the leadership to be elected during the course of this conference, to ensure that the national leadership is truly a united and representative one.

8.8 Northern Province

The Northern Province Taxi Industry has since the adoption of the NTTT Recommendations set itself on a path not only to formalize the industry but go a step further to change its mindset from being taxi operators to being business people. Several initiatives were embarked upon by the industry and with the kind understanding of the department of Transport, much had been achieved. Amongst the many successes realized let me hasten to mention just a few. But of course we do concede that great challenges lie ahead of us.

Registration

The Northern Province has managed to successfully encourage almost all known and legitimately recognized associations existing within the Province to register. Our statistics prove that 99.9% of all legitimately known and for recognized associations have registered with the Registrar of Association. In essence 98 associations have now registered and we are very pleased with that situation.

Democratization

When coming to the government initiated exercise of the Taxi Democratization process we pride ourselves in stating that not only did we do this in record time, but we actually did it more speedily and faster than any other known province. Our Province now is fully democratized on both association and provincial levels.

We also have all regions of our province democratically represented in the Provincial Council. Hence our remarkable ability to maintain peace and stability within our operators.

Unity

If indeed you can have the kind of peace and stability as a result of the full-proof democratization process like we had, unity amongst you people becomes a mere formality and finality. We in the Northern Province are as united as never before. Our small differences always get peacefully resolved.

Training and Capacity Building

Mr. Programme Director, ladies and gentlemen, we are one province that takes issues of training and capacity building very seriously. During the 1999-2000 financial year, we managed to train over 700 taxi drives in K53. Driver training which is advanced driver training. A system we believe should be a must for all taxi drivers, if we are to be regarded as serious when coming to matters of road safety and staying alive - as forever touted for by not only our MEC - Dr Rev. Farisani but also other Provincial MECs and Dr Abdullah Omar - our National Minister of Transport.

We also trained 60 taxi drivers in advanced driver training with a recognized institution called Gerotek situated in Pretoria. We did not stop there we also managed to train a further 100 drives in advanced taxi driver training with Castrol.

Toyota South Africa also came into the picture by offering to train our very own operators in basic business management, so that our operators should start taking their businesses seriously. Like they say -'Take care of pennies and pounds will take care of themselves'. Mr. Programme Director, we are already a step ahead in making the wishes of Deputy President a reality _in owning the entire transport sector. But of course we can't do that without proper training and skills. Hence we have currently over 20 students who are doing a diploma in Transport Management with Wits Technikon

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8.9 Northern Cape Province

No report was tabled
Joint Statements Of Declaration by SATACO, PROTACOs and NTA on behalf of the taxi Industry

Introduction by Mr. Muofhe: SATACO


It is a very great privilege to have been asked to speak in such a distinguished group of eminent persons of the taxi industry in South Africa and in the presence of the Honourable Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, the Minister of Transport - Dullah Omar, the Premier - Lionel Mtshali and our provincial MECs of Transport present here today.

We the taxi industry in South Africa, have made a decisive and irreversible break with the past. We have, in real life, declared our yearning for a peaceful and harmonious taxi industry of equals.

The rainbow has come to be the symbol of our industry. We are bringing together all what used to be rivals, into one powerful force of strength and richness.
Introduction by Mr. Ngiba: PROTACOs


But we do know that healing the wounds of the past and freeing ourselves of its burden will be a long and demanding task. Today, we celebrate the progress we have made; it reaffirms our commitment; and it measures the challenges ahead of all of us.

The past had made a living symbol of bitter divisions. Innocent people mainly women and children were killed over a period of time during the taxi violence. Each association or grouping had enemies and those were killed and the quantity of blood that swelled the rivers and flowed in the streets.

Today, we no longer vow our mutual destruction but solemnly acknowledge our inter-dependence as free and equal partners of our common towards a free, democratic, regulated, legalized, formalized and economically empowered Minibus taxi industry.
Introduction by Mr. Mabaso: NTA


Today we reaffirm our solemn constitutional compact to work together on the basis of equality and mutual respect. Reconciliation however, does not mean forgetting or trying to bury the pain of conflict.

As a collective, we have the real chance to strike out along a glorious path. The democratic foundations of our industry are going to be laid by this Conference. As an industry, we must use our collective strengths to carry on building the nation and improving its quality of life.

Therefore we shall free ourselves from the burden of year-year; not to return there but to move forward with the confidence of free men and women, committed to attain the best for ourselves and future generations.
Message Of Support by Secretary - General Of SATAWU


The Secretary - General of SATAWU delivered his speech as follows:

'SATAWU wishes to congratulate the Honourable Minister of Transport, his Department and the National Preparatory Committee for having facilitated preparations which has culminated into the convening of this National Taxi Industry Conference launch.

The fact that we are all here today is in itself very significant. More importantly, the historic and transformative location of this Conference cannot be over stated. This Conference is intended to ensure that the Taxi Industry establish one legitimate and credible body that enjoys the support of the majority of taxi owners and workers in the industry through democratic means.

Indeed, we are encouraged by these developments and believe that it is a real opportunity to create a permanent platform to constructively engage and secure agreement on a vision for taxi industry among others.

SATAWU, a COSATU affiliate, as a legitimate and registered trade union with its membership also coming from workers' who are employed in this industry, we see the possibility of beginning to build industry forums to tackle critical issues such as conditions of employment capacity building, government assistance and other areas of mutual interest.

SATAWU has always been frustrated by the absence of a unified credible national taxi employer body with which constructive engagement can take place to benefit all stakeholders in the industry. We understand that we may not agree on all issues, but if we can achieve the establishment of a unified and legitimate employer body, the basis would have been laid for us to begin a series of discussions which otherwise would not have been possible.

We believe very strongly that the results of such discussions would have a number of benefits for commuters, taxi owners, taxi workers and the country's economy as a whole. If we go this route confidence amongst commuters will be restored and therefore taxi industry is likely to develop and meet the interest of all the stakeholders.

We are also confident that this will guarantee a safe industry subjected to formalization and regulation with many opportunities to improve the industry which we can all be proud of.

This launch is a central contribution to the global transformation which should develop and industry operating on the basis of respect, peace, stability, confidence by the users and increase economic activity in our country.

In conclusion SATAWU would like to re-affirm its commitment to the regulation of taxi industry and firmly believe that this process is irreversible. It is within this context that we have under the umbrella or our federation, COSATU have taken a decision to support the Recapitalisation of the taxi industry. This decision was informed by the set of objectives developed by the union and presented to Government.

In our view, these objectives marries the needs of all key stakeholders as far as possible, amongst others they include affordability of vehicles, employment creation, compliance with safety standards, unification of the industry, avoid job losses, the introduction of labour rights and standards, black economic empowerment and reconstruction etc. We are convinces that these initiatives will ensure long-term stability, viability and develop an industry no longer ravaged by senseless loss of life whether through violence or accidents.

We are not an 'evil force' from some other planet wanting to undermine the prosperity and development of the taxi industry. We do not exist purely to reduce your profit as some of you choose to believe in order to find some justification to avoid us. There are many employers who are resisting to recognize our trade union and are victimizing our members' when they join our union. Arbitration award decided in our favour in almost every instance, we have to refer to Labour- court to have our members reinstated.

As organized workers, we wish to extend a hand to friendship to employers to join us in shaping a common vision based on respect for workers rights, decent and improved working and living conditions, regulations, economic activity and reasonable returns.

Do not try and wish us away, do not resist us any longer, instead embrace us we would want to embrace you as fellow South Africans to transform what is truly black capital to translate into economic power.

Real Black Economic Empowerment is about the transfer of ownership from white to black to translate out ballot into economic power.

We wish your conference all success in its deliberations and indeed look forward to resolutions which will lay the basis for speeding up transformations in the ultimate interests of the kings and queens of the taxi industry - commuters.'

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Welcome By The Honourable Premier Lionel Mtshali


Thank you, Programme Director a warm welcome to the Deputy President, Mr. J. G. Zuma, the National Minister of Transport, Dr Abdullah Omar and Mrs. Omar, Ministers of Transport from different Provinces, the KZN Minister of Housing, Mr. Makhaye, delegates Government officials, Sponsors and Members of the Taxi Industry in this historical event.

The Deputy President is welcomed with open arms as the citizen of KZN and his participation at the conference will lend support to all initiatives aimed at consolidating the taxi industry.

In welcoming the National Minister of Transport, I wish him and his Provincial colleagues success in overcoming the challenges that lie before them. We assure you that through patience and perseverance, success will be achieved. It is significant that the Conference is held in KZN since the Province places a high premium on a stable and well regulated taxi industry. It was precisely because of this commitment that the Alexander Commission of Inquiry was appointed and its preliminary findings are being implemented by the Department of Transport in collaboration with other stakeholders. I believe that through open debate and dialogue, some of the challenges which confront this industry will be resolved. In conclusion, I wish everyone fruitful deliberations and a very success Conference. Thank You.
Introduction Of Keynote Speaker By Minister Omar


Thank you Rev. Farisani, our master of ceremonies for today, Honourable Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, Honourable Premier, Honourable MECs, leaders of the taxi industry, delegates from all over South Africa for attending the Conference.

The National Taxi Conference is a historic event in the history of our country today to see members of the Taxi Industry who previously could not talk to each other gathered together under one roof paving a way to one body. He praised the commitment shown by the Deputy President towards the industry as many appealed to him during turbulent times and he has always been there to offer an ear to all.

It is a great privilege for us to be here this morning. I think that this is a historic moment in the history of the taxi industry of our country. Because gathered here are members of the industry many of whom did not talk to each other before. Gathered here, are people who belong to the National Taxi Alliance, and its various formations, the federal organizations or mother bodies and their Presidents, SATACO, its leadership at National and Provincial level and also we have leadership from what is commonly become known as the PROTACOs.

By the end of this Conference you will be one family. You will fall under one umbrella. Deputy President, Honourable Premier, we believe that a new chapter is about to begin in the history of this mighty taxi industry in our country. Deputy President we are very grateful that you have been able to give up some of your valuable time to be here with us. My task at this stage is to introduce you. It is my great privilege to rise this morning and ask the Deputy President to address you.

I want to say comrades; all of you know the commitment of the Deputy President to the taxi industry. Some of you have been in communication with the Deputy President. You have appealed with the Deputy President to take a personal interest in what was happening: in the divisions in the industry, in the conflicts that exists and the many problems that are faced by the industry.

The Deputy President has said to me in more than one occasion that this is a great industry. It can become the pride of our country and so it is appropriate Deputy President that you are here to give us your blessings and to provide us your leadership that has been characteristic of you.

SATACO, NTA, the PROTACOs are united in their resolve to emerge from this Conference united, committed to the commuters of our country, committed to the people of our country. This is the most representative Conference of the taxi industry ever held in South Africa. Deputy President, this is the first time in the history of our country that an elected National leadership of the taxi industry will emerge. We know there are obstacles, we know there are differences, but we are determined to overcome them. Knowing the industry as I do, knowing how hard they had worked for this day, I am very confident and optimistic that we will be delivering results to you and reporting progress to you. And so, the industry will be saying thanks to your contribution. But for the present, Deputy President, it is a great privilege to call upon you to address this Conference.
Keynote Address By The Executive Deputy President J.Zuma


Let me warmly welcome all of you to this first National Conference of the Minibus Taxi Industry. This event has been a long time in the marking. The road you have traveled has been long and hard. It has very often been bitter. And you know as well as I do how many lives it has cost to bring us to the point we have reached today. None of us can be proud of the violence and strife that have gone hand in hand with the taxi industry's development. But we can all be proud of the fact that we are here today - so many of us, from every corner of our country - determined to put the negative parts of our history to sleep and lay the foundation for a bright and prosperous future.

No one can under-estimate the importance of this Conference. It often happens that people much too easily describe events as being 'historic'. But I think we can say today that the discussions you will be having here - and the elections you will be holding of a democratic national leadership body - can truly become a historic turning point for your industry.

Everything lies in your hands over these next three days, you have come so far, and the potential benefits that lie ahead are so great, that there can now be no turning back. We must achieve unity here this weekend and show that we are ready to become a model transport service provider to our people.

Your industry is already the most important public transport provider in South Africa. Everyday, your vehicles carry something like 65% of all our commuters to and from work. You have achieved this share of the market against the toughest odds.

You remember the early days, and the difficulties you experienced when you started out in the 1980s: fighting to become recognized; fighting to find the money to operate and survive; fighting to compete with subsidized bus companies supported by the apartheid government; fighting to organize yourselves properly when there was no regulation and no framework for orderly competition. Always fighting. And then, so often, under all these pressures, letting the fighting turn inwards. Fighting for customers, fighting for routes and ranks shooting and dying.

But at the same time you were always growing, and providing our people, our fellow workers, our mothers and fathers and children with a quick, convenient and flexible service that they had never had before. You grew from the ranks of the oppressed. And you grew because you were serving our people. You satisfied what they wanted.

But those who grow from the oppressed are not immune from becoming oppressors themselves. Maybe when you had created this demand for your services, you sometimes forgot who it was putting the bread on your table. Are your customers satisfied with the service they get from the industry today? Have they not on many occasions in the past been innocent victims of wars within the industry? Are they not today often being treated with disrespect and put into danger in unsafe vehicles? Are they not often being driven at risk of life and limb by drivers who have to earn their wages by the number of trips they can squeeze into one day? We know that many people are unhappy, but have no practical alternative. How are we going to answer to them, and how are going to put back the pride into the industry that all your struggles over the years deserve.

TThe taxi industry must become the flagship of black empowerment in the transport sector. This is the challenge you face here in Durban.

We, as government, want to talk to you as one united organization, to work with you, and to help you revive and grow your industry. You have shown, through all the hard effort you have put in, from the very beginning of the NTTT process, through the formation of provincial taxi councils, and through the recent intensive series of meetings of the National Conference Preparatory Committee, that you want to put an end to factions, that you want to unite, to go forward and be strong.

Both my colleague the Minister of Transport and I know very well that you still face many problems and issues with regard to the finalization of the Be Legal process, the taxi Recapitalisation process, the safety and electronic management specifications for the new vehicles, the development of cooperatives, and all the wider economic opportunities that promise to open up over the next few years. We know that the issue of government subsidy to the taxi industry, in one form or another, is of great concern to you.

None of these are simple matters. They must be broken into parts and approach one by one. To deal with them successfully, we must recognize that your industry itself will have its own points of view. As we go forward together we may re-think various issues. We may change our minds on various points of detail. But we must keep going forward.

The great step forward that this Conference promises is that you as an industry will be able to speak to us as government with one united voice; and we in our turn will know who we are talking to. This will give us the basis we need to develop an attitude to trust and mutual understanding; so that, however difficult the issues we face, and however strong our arguments may be, we will know each other well and will always be able to keep the lines of communication open. There is no problem too big for us to be able to solve through thoughtful, practical dialogue.

You stand ready today to enter a new future. In the next years we expect to see a revitalized industry emerge, with new business skills and technical training, with new, stronger, safer vehicles, with an improved infrastructure and well-serves, satisfied customers. In a few more years time we may not even be speaking to a minibus taxi industry, but empowered operators in the public passenger transport sector, running taxis, mid-buses and buses, both profitably and for the good of our people and our economy as a whole.

I urge you to grasp this wonderful opportunity you have created for yourselves - here, in Durban, this weekend, now and for the future.

I thank you.

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SPEECH DELIVERED BY MR K.T.T. MUOFHE ON THE 16 SEPTEMBER 2001 DURING THE NATIONAL TAXI CONFERENCE IN DURBAN EXHIBITION CENTRE.


Mr. Programme Director, the National Minister of Transport Dr Dullar Omar, Provincial MECs for Transport and other departments, members of the Legislature, distinguished guests, members of the media fraternity fellow operators, ladies and gentlemen I greet you all.

It is an honour and privilege for me to be standing here in front of you this morning. It is an honour in that today my fellow operators from various provinces by popular demand decided that I should steer and direct this democratic ship. It is also a privilege in that I do not and neither do you regard me as having any special extra senses or abilities that make me what I am. It is simply the trust and confidence you show in me that brings about the difference.

For that trust I wish to hasten to thank you. Thank you all for believing in me and thank you for deciding to give me and the new National Committee an opportunity to map out and direct the taxi industry during the next 4 (four) years.

Great challenges lie ahead of us. For us to overcome those pending and coming challenges we need to work in a manner that will not only embarrass the prophets of doom who always believe that a black man is inherently destined for gloom, darkness and failure but also those who may have as their agenda the desire to derail whatever process we may want to embark on.

Fellow operators, we all know that any election is more often than not filled with lobbying and exchanging offers and counter-offers. That is the nature of elections and democracy. I honestly believe that such times though as important as they maybe, come and pass. After the elections, when the majority of the people shall have spoken, former rivals should shake hands, fold up their sleeves, co-operate and get to work seriously.

Elections come and go and after them, all that is left is for people to co-operate and work together. As we prepare to take office I appeal to all of you to co-operate, criticize constructively where and when the need arises, come forward wish ideas and suggestion that will benefit the industry as a whole.

Mr. Programme Director, on this historic event and day, I wish to pledge my commitment to the total empowerment both economic and otherwise of our fellow operators. As a result of this unity which encompasses all legitimate and known structures, no structure or individual shall claim to represent the views of the taxi industry but this structure we see here today in front of you.

Mr. Minister, you had requested that there be one united structure that you as government would speak to with regards to taxi related matters. Now Mr. Minister, I present to you that structure decided by the secret vote of the majority of delegates. Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to put it on record that the presidency of this National body and of course the entire office shall endeavour to perform its duties with all the transparency necessary.

Mr. Minister, history has proven on quite a number of times, that the taxi industry has itself to blame for being so wrought with the negative image. We did that by allowing ourselves to be led by unscrupulous leaders who have as their priority an opportunity to make a quick buck. We shall endeavor to be weary of such opportunists and make sure that they don't milk or rob us of our privileges, rights and fortunes.

To government, I wish to say thank you for directing and guiding this process several months ago till to the National conference and into the future.

Mr. Programme Director, Mr. Minister, Ladies and gentlemen, we have been into several commissions over very vital and pertinent issues ?and out of those commissions came out very important resolutions which should form part and parcel of our programme of action for the next coming four (4) years. As we go back to our respective provinces, councils are expected to familiarize themselves and implement these resolutions. Ladies and gentle there has been several economic initiatives that have been embarked upon, unfortunately some could only stall pending, this historic day. Now that the National Conference is coming to an end, we believe that the economic empowerment of our people is just about to begin.

To all my fellow operators from all the nine provinces of our country? I say thank you for bestowing your trust and confidence with this leadership. Let us now fold our sleeves and get to work seriously. Good luck and Gold bless you all as we drive and fly back home.
I thank you.

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SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, MR DULLAR OMAR AT THE NATIONAL TAXI CONFERENCE HELD IN DURBAN

16 September 2001

Chairperson, Fellow Ministers, MECs, Chair of the Select Committee of the NCOP, the new President and members of the Executive of SANTACO, delegates. I first want to thank all of you. Over the past three days about 1000 delegates gathered here in this hall. You did not represent yourselves. Each one of you represented their constituency. So, in a sense what we have witnessed is the parliament or, maybe, the constituency of the taxi industry of this country. You have spoken on behalf of the industry. You were democratically elected. You went through processes in your province, in your organizations. Through those processes you have come out to be the legitimate voice of the industry, and I want to say to you that what you have done is a milestone in the history of the industry. It is also an example of how other sectors can conduct their affairs. This may sound to be very strange, very contradictory because this is an industry where there has been a great deal of conflict, intolerance and violence, and many people have lost their lives. But, that is one part of the story. Throughout that history of division, conflict and violence, there were good people, many of them are here today, who have tried to overcome those problems. Today is the crowning of their success. That voice of peace, democracy, and unity has become the dominant voice in the industry. I want to congratulate you all and to thank you for the example which you have set.

You have gone through a process in which you adopted a new constitution. There were many areas of concern and there were a number of areas which still need to be refined, but you have adopted the constitution. You have adopted a new name for the organization, the South African National Taxi Council. You also elected an Executive. So, you have your leadership, but you yourselves, as you sit here, form part of that leadership. You've gone through a wonderful process which lays the basis for an end to violence in the taxi industry. It lays the basis for an end to conflict and it lays the basis for you to concentrate on those things which will make this industry a great industry.

I would like also to thank those candidates who stood for elections. It is you who have made democracy work. Those of you who stood for positions and did not make it this time, I think you have made a big contribution to this process. You have begun to create a new tradition and a new culture in the industry that we institutionalize the competition that we have amongst ourselves. We have elections to decide who represents the industry and who does not. Because of the constitution that you have adopted, there will be elections next time around. You have time to mobilize your supporters throughout the provinces, all over South Africa so that the next elections will be even better than these elections. So, I want to say thank you to all those candidates and every single person who made himself available.

We have to acknowledge that women do play an important role in this industry. They make it possible for the man to go forward. What we have seen in the last few years is that many women in their own right are participating in the industry and they are doing a very good job. They are giving leadership. I am not blaming you today and I am not blaming the Executive, they did not elect themselves. I am sure this is an issue that you will be addressing. We must make sure that all women are given an opportunity to play a meaningful role in the industry, to play a role in business and to play a role in the leadership. I can say to you we have the same problem in government. We also need to bring in more women. When the next conference comes along there should be more women participating in our leadership, so that we can truly say democracy has arrived for everybody. In congratulating the Executive on its elections and wishing them well, I want to say that I recognize that this is a problem which we ourselves need to look at together.

Comrades, you would have seen the role of government in this conference and I want to explain that. The best analogy I can use is that of a midwife. The midwife is called to deliver a child. She can play either a good or a bad role. If the midwife does not do his/her job properly, then the child might be stillborn or the child may be deformed. If the midwife does his/ her job properly, a good, healthy baby might be born. The role of government has been the role of the midwife, to help you to revamp to this organization which represents the taxi industry. I hope that you recognized that we may have made some mistakes as we went along. I hope that at the end of the day, when you go home, you will say to yourselves we have been a good midwife. The child looks healthy and it is now your duty to look after that child and make it grow up. The time has come to cut the umbilical cord. In your next conference whoever comes will be through your invitation, because this is your organization. The time has come for me to say to you that at a certain level our job has been done. It is now over to you. You must make sure that you look after this child and ensure that it grows up to be a strong healthy organization. That is your responsibility.

Allow me to say a thing or two about the way in which the organization should work. I am not prescribing. I am simply saying please take this into account. If you do this child will grow up into a beautiful child. The first thing is the need for transparency, openness. Those who were in SATACO will forgive me, but there was not enough transparency in SATACO, especially when it came to economic issues. We must not make that mistake again. If an Executive does something of economic nature, it must be open and transparent and you must know what that Executive is doing. Secondly, your leadership must not confuse its own economic interests with the interests of the organization. Make sure that it acts in the best interest of the membership. To achieve the best result it is very important that your Management Council works properly. That is the importance of democracy.

I want to ask you, on behalf of all of us, to reach out to our poor communities of our country who have suffered for so long. When you leave this conference, whatever planning you will do you must plan how you will reach out to the commuters of our country. There are organizations of commuters. In this same way that it is good for us to have the industry organized, it will also be good for you and us to have our commuters organized. You are in the best position to organize our commuters. They too can form a partnership with you. We must have ongoing road safety programmes. We must make the coming holiday period the most joyful holiday that our people have ever enjoyed. So many of our people lose their lives in our roads. I am not saying that it is the minibus taxi industry that is responsible for the carnage in our roads, but we do make our contribution to that. We do make our contribution to many people dying on the roads. Can we make a resolve that we will reach out to our commuters. We are going to make sure that our vehicles are fit to be on the road. We are going to make sure that, to the best of our ability, vehicles will not be overloaded. We will comply with the rules of the road. To the best of our ability we are going to make sure that the drivers obey the rules of the road so that we promote and protect life. We have a wonderful opportunity to turn around the negative perception of the industry. You must also preserve the independence of your organization at all cost. You are independent of government. When you need to criticize government, you can criticize government. Whilst ensuring your independence, you must also make sure that you don't become instruments in the hands of consultants. Where we have to use consultants, let there be transparency.

I want to give you the assurance that we will be meeting together to discuss some of the issues talked about in this conference. In the implementation of the recapitalisation programme there will be consultation between government and the industry. As soon as possible after the conference, we will be meeting with the industry to carry on with the process of consultation.

Allow me to conclude by once again congratulating all of you. I think this has been a wonderful process. Nobody can help but be impressed by the way in which you have related to each other. This conference has laid a basis for us moving together in a particular way. My last job is to say to Rev Farisani that for me he has been a pillar of strength. From the time he was asked to be administrator of SATACO and to lead the NCPC process, he has dedicated more time in this venture than being in the province. Rev Farisani, comrade, you have done an outstanding job. We are very proud of the work you have done. On behalf of the government team, conference and SANTACO, thank you for the work well done.

I want to wish all of you a safe journey home.