Artwell Dlamini
19 August 2008
Johannesburg — GAUTENG yesterday pledged financial support for the overhaul of the public transport system of Alexandra - one of SA's most populous townships.
"We are going to have to fund it," public transport, roads and works MEC Ignatius Jacobs said, referring to the province's drive to introduce public transport such as buses and trains to the township.
"I can't give you a financial estimate," Jacobs said.
The province was calculating the cost of projects that incorporated public transport infrastructure.
Jacobs made the announcement yesterday after a public transport summit that started on Friday and ended on Sunday.
Gauteng public transport, roads and works spearheaded the summit.
The summit - which brought together the government, civil society organisations, organised business and taxi operators such as the Alexandra Taxi Association, and Alexandra Randburg Midrand and Sandton Taxis Association - aimed to address taxi violence, and find ways to introduce new types of public transport.
Taxis were the only public transport available in Alexandra - a priority township under the government's developmental nodes. At least 15 people had died in taxi-related violence in the past three years, Gauteng taxi registrar Sam Ledwaba said.
Jacobs urged taxi operators to "provide quality service" and to end the violence that has beset the industry.
Resonating residents' pleas for a broader range of public transport options, Pule Phalatse of the South African National Civic Organisation said: "We need a choice."
All parties committed themselves to ending violence and working for a public transport solution in Alexandra.
A declaration that committed the associations to working harmoniously was signed at the summit. The rival taxi organisations signed the declaration.
It read: "We are unanimous in our condemnation of all forms of violence and criminality in our township."
Gauteng Taxi Council secretary Buti Mahlangu said the association supported Gauteng's initiative.
The declaration further read: "We have welcomed government's plans for integrated, safe, reliable, affordable and accessible public transport .
"We have agreed that the conflict that has characterised the relationship between Alexandra Taxi Association, and Alexandra Randburg Midrand and Sandton Taxis Association since at least 1988 cannot continue unabated and should stop henceforth ."
In terms of the declaration the two associations were to dissolve within 14 months of the summit. Gauteng National Taxi Alliance chairman Sicelo Mabaso said the declaration paved the way for a single taxi body.
The declaration also set firm time-frames for progress.
"Within three months of this summit we will have formed a representative Greater Alexandra Public Transport Forum that shall champion our vision of a transformed public transport system and surrounds," the declaration read.
"We hold the view that a united taxi industry in Alexandra, and beyond, has potential to grow and prosper into a successful business enterprise that both operators, and the community, shall benefit from.
"We are going to play an active part in ensuring that these resolutions are implemented to the letter, and will discourage and expose any attempt by anyone to try and undermine the letter and spirit of the process in which so much has been invested."
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