In Africa’s busiest economy, the South African department of transport is tasked with ensuring that infrastructure, legislation and operations maintain sustainable growth.
Ministry — Minister of transport
Minister Sibusiso Ndebele steers the transport department’s mission to “lead the development of integrated efficient transport systems by creating a framework of sustainable policies, regulations and implementable models to support government strategies for economic, social and international development”. The transport department oversees various public entities that are tasked with carrying out its mandate to the citizenry. These are listed below.
South African Rail Commuter Corporation
The South African Rail Commuter Corporation is a statutory agent which aims to provide effective and efficient rail commuter services under concession agreements.
Urban Transport Fund
The Urban Transport Fund was established in terms of the Urban Transport Act of 1977. Its annual budget is submitted to the transport minister for approval after funds have been allocated through Parliament to the transport department. This fund is used for urban transport projects.
South African National Roads Agency Ltd
This agency maintains and develops South Africa’s 7 000 km national road network and manages assets with an estimated value of more than R135-billion. It is registered in terms of the Companies Act.
Road Accident Fund
The Road Accident Fund compensates victims of motor vehicle accidents on terms and conditions provided for within various legislative documents. The fund receives a dedicated levy which is imposed on petrol and diesel.The administration of the fund and benefits payable are being reviewed and a Road Accident Fund Commission has been established to investigate ways in which the fund can be restructured.
Cross-Border Road Transport Agency
This agency regulates the cross-border public, freight and road market. It facilitates the establishment of cooperative and consultative relationships and structures between public and private sector institutions with an interest in cross-border road transport. It is self-sustaining through a cross-border levy.
Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company
This company is responsible for safe, orderly and expeditious air traffic and navigational and associated services in its area of control. It provides extensive air traffic information services and related aeronautical support services in the major airspace and at 21 airports throughout South Africa.
South African Maritime Safety Authority
This authority aims to ensure the safety of life and property at sea, prevent oil pollution by ships and promote South Africa as a maritime nation. It derives its funding from a combination of government service fees (about R6-million a year), direct user charges and levies on ships.
South African Civil Aviation Authority
The primary purpose of this authority is to promote, regulate and support high levels of safety throughout the civil aviation industry. Its core activities relate to aviation safety oversight of operations, aircraft, personnel, airports and airspace. It receives transfers as subsidies and user charges for ministerial directives on aircraft accident investigations. These transfers are projected to decline over the medium term.
This article originally appeared in the Mail & Guardian newspaper as an advertorial supplement