Viewpoint | BY Sibusiso Ndebele
National Transport Month

Sisonke! Asiphephe! Akujiki!

Our Integrated Public Transport Networks should be planned to reduce travelling time and increase safety. The Bus Rapid Transit system represents one great leap that combines safety and affordability of public transport. As we provide more of these convenient forms of public transport nationally we will have fewer cars on our roads and thus fewer accidents. >>> MORE

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT MONTH
Together we can build caring communities

All our efforts during October, the Social Development Month, must be seen in the context of improving the South African and human condition. We have no reason to fail in building cohesive, caring and sustainable communities, for that is the legacy we must bequeath to future generations. >>> MORE

DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS 2009

South Africa joins a few countries in the world that publish similar indicators on a regular basis. This 2009 publication is significant because the data will also serve as a baseline for the 2009-2014 electoral mandate period. We urge you to examine them against other research done independently of government and provide feedback to our democratic government in order to enhance future publications. >>> MORE

Viewpoint | by Sibusiso Ndebele

Transport Month

Sisonke! Asiphephe! Akujiki!

In July 2009 Transport Ministers from Africa concluded a conference on road safety by calling for a “Decade of Action for Road Safety” on the continent. This conference said Africa had the most dangerous roads in the world!

Africa had only avoided a catastrophic explosion of road deaths because of relatively low motorisation and an undeveloped road network. In addition Conference agreed that:

• Africa’s road deaths of over 200,000 annually will rise by 80% by 2020;
• By 2015 road crashes will be the number one killer of children aged 5-14 in Africa, outstripping Malaria and HIV/AIDS.

As representatives of South Africa we told conference that: “Africa has faced many challenges which cannot be confronted by one country alone. The epidemic of road deaths is no different. South Africa pledges support for a Decade of Action - millions of lives depend on it”.

The first Global United Nations Ministerial Conference on Road Safety is scheduled to take place in Moscow from 19 - 20 November 2009. Ahead of that world conference we know that 3400 men, women and children are killed every single day on the world’s roads while walking, cycling or driving. This totals 1.3million people per year who die worldwide as a result of road crashes. To give the issue global attention the UN has declared the third Sunday of November as World Remembrance Day for victims of road accidents.

On 26 October 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 60/5 committing to improving global road safety. This global movement for safety on our roads means that there is no place for anyone who thinks they can break traffic laws in another country or continent and get away with it. The world wants to make our roads safer, Africa wants to make our roads safer; South Africa wants to make our road safer.

South Africa is a mixture of development and under-development. On one hand there are well-designed motorways running between major cities and tourist attractions. On the other hand it takes a mere hour to land back in the 17th century where horses, donkey carts and wheelbarrows are predominant modes of transport. We have over 7 million licensed drivers and over 8million registered vehicles in South Africa. Motorised vehicles make up 89.3% of the total vehicle population and the number increases by 6% annually.

The primary contributory factors in fatal crashes or serious injuries include excessive speed, drinking and driving, and the non-wearing of seatbelts. Motorcars, light delivery vehicles and minibuses are the top three vehicle types to be involved in a crash. Pedestrians account for 50% of road crash fatalities in South Africa.

Our road safety programme is spearheaded by our agency the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) as more than 16 000 people are killed annually in road crashes. This costs the country more than R14bn annually. Through the Road Safety and the Arrive Alive Campaign we see the benefits of visible policing and tight law enforcement.

Road safety is a necessary condition for us to move from our developing status to being developed because dead people do not enjoy the benefits of development.
Enforcement alone is not enough. Our Integrated Public Transport Networks should be planned to reduce travelling time and increase safety. The Bus Rapid Transit system represents one great leap that combines safety and affordability of public transport. We have no doubt that as we provide more of these convenient forms of public transport nationally we will have fewer cars on our roads and thus fewer
accidents.

From 12-16 October 2009, African Union (AU) Ministers of Transport responsible for Maritime will gather in Durban to be part of a conference under the theme "Creating a Safe, Secure and Clean Maritime Transport Industry in Africa". In April 2008 the AU convened a conference of Ministers of Transport in Algiers. That gathering, among others, reviewed the continental maritime transport Plan of Action.

Since then the AU Commission has drafted a declaration on maritime safety and security to address piracy as an issue. Working with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) we are improving the safety of our vessels, tightening security and navigation systems including search and rescue facilities.

However there is a worrying resurgence of piracy, human trafficking and dumping of toxic waste on our coastal waters as well as illegal fishing. Piracy activity is rising off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Guinea and these require our urgent attention. The Durban conference will adopt a Plan of Action to address maritime safety and security to make African waters and shorelines safer and more secure.

We continue treating safety in passenger rail, and will continue to improve visible policing within the rail environments and in trains. Our co-operation with the South African Police Service has seen the roll out of the Railway Police. To date there are twenty-nine (29) facilities in four Provinces (Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape). Out of these twenty-three (23) are to be completed by the end of this month.

Through the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), we will continue with tight law enforcement against traffic offenders.

• We are committed to the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) throughout the country in 2010.
• AARTO seeks to effect an efficient road traffic management environment in the country and enhance a culture of compliance through a demerit system.
• A special unit located in the national office will be available to assist provinces and municipalities where necessary with law enforcement. I will meet traffic officers soon to discuss these issues in my capacity as Minister but also as a fellow traffic officer, a qualification I obtained while MEC in KZN!
• As we issue a new card licence for drivers we will make sure it is tamper proof and cannot be forged.
• Also in order to increase the driving skills base in the country learners will be taught how to drive while still at school and tertiary institution – this initiative will easily put 1million properly licenced drivers on our roads annually.
• Through the Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) we will ensure rail incidents are minimized.
• Through the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) and the SA Civil Aviation Authority we will ensure that potential aviation incidences are minimized.

We are on course with creating a rapid rail link that will rank alongside the most modern systems in the world. Once complete, this project will link Tshwane, Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport. It will provide much-needed relief for Gauteng passengers in this key economic hub.

The Gautrain will improve our road safety immensely as it attracts more car users to public transport. With initiatives by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), these will make rail the backbone of our public transport system for 2010 and beyond and thus reduce accidents. Gautrain’s draw-card will be its speed, safety and convenience.

A visitor in August 2010 could land at OR Tambo International Airport from Sao Paolo, jump into the Gautrain to the city of Johannesburg, take the Rea Vaya BRT to Soweto to have breakfast and take a taxi to his Sandton hotel. The tourist could then take the Gautrain from Sandton to Tshwane where they could have lunch. All this could be done through one ticket purchased at OR Tambo International Airport using an integrated system.

Our plans must re-order apartheid spatial plans and as we extend rail services, quality and safety must keep improving. During Transport Month we will also focus on the creation of decent work, fighting driving licence fraud and corruption and tightening our own coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Together let us ensure this country moves from being a developing country to being a developed country.

Sisonke! Asiphephe! Akujiki!

>> Sibusiso Ndebele is an ANC NEC member and Minister of Transport. This is an edited extract of his address at the launch of the 2009 Transport Month

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Social Development Month

Together we can build caring communities

One of the most painful effects of apartheid on our society has been the steady erosion of communal values, breaking down of the family unit, and destruction of the social fabric. All manifest today in the challenges we face as we rebuild our communities.

While the ANC government will continue to work to improve the quality of life of all South Africans, and improve service delivery and rural livelihoods, we view it as our primary obligation also to build cohesive, caring and sustainable communities.

Throughout this month it is important to take stock of the inroads we continue to make in providing the safety net for our vulnerable and marginalised. Over 13 million citizens are currently receiving social benefits. Of these, nine million are children.

Since July 2008, over 70,000 men aged 63 and 64 years have received grants as a result of the age equalisation policy. To provide a direct response to poverty and vulnerability in the context of rising food prices, the department of social development ensures that qualifying vulnerable citizens receive Social Relief of Distress to address temporary provision of assistance to those in dire situations.

Working together, we can ensure that our country develops, the poor and vulnerable are protected, and opportunities are accessible for all to progress. At the same time, we are taking special care to build a society that does not merely wait for government to provide services, but one that consciously contributes to its own development, welfare and sustainability.

During this Social Development Month, we will intensify our efforts at implementing comprehensive social assistance and social insurance, ensuring that we make further advances in putting in place a comprehensive safety net for vulnerable South Africans. This is particularly important in light of the impact of the global crisis on our people.

The International Day of Older Persons was launched at Matiwaneskop in Ladysmith, KwaZulu Natal, inaugurating a series of events and activities. Other activities will take place across provinces, including Grandparents Day, the Macufe Cultural Festival in Free State, and World Food Day on 15 October where there will be a special campaign in Giyane targeted specifically at donating food and clothing items to be distributed to the needy on the day.

16 October is World Rural Women Day, followed by the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October, and there are Golden Games on 27-29 October 2009. The Golden Games project is a mechanism to elevate the activities of older persons to a higher level.

The games themselves are a key project that focuses on sport activities and events that advance service delivery and provide support to older persons. The project targets older persons over 60 years from community-based facilities such as service clubs and service centres. We encourage older persons in rural areas, informal settlements and disadvantaged communities to participate.

We believe that our broad-based partnerships between government, non-governmental organisations, business and development partners will ensure that we address the ills of society. The National Action Committee for Children Affected by HIV and AIDS - a multisectoral team consisting of government, faith- and community-based organisations, civil society, the business sector, the United Nations Children’s Fund and Save the Children - continues to focus on the care and support of orphans and vulnerable children.

In line with the national gender machinery’s Men and Gender Equality Programme, government has developed a strategy for the engagement of men and boys in the prevention of gender-based violence.

All provinces are guided by national drug master plans to assist municipalities in establishing local drug action committees in which officials and members of the community formulate local plans of action to combat the very rife substance abuse in their areas.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group has partnered with the Department of Social Development to launch a national toll-free substance abuse helpline - the first in South Africa to offer free substance-abuse support and counseling services nationwide.

All our efforts during October, the Social Development Month, must be seen in the context of improving the South African and human condition. We have no reason to fail in building cohesive, caring and sustainable communities, for that is the legacy we must bequeath to future generations.

Working together we can do more to intensify the war against poverty!

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Development Indicators 2009

The Presidency recently released the 2009 Development Indicators. The publication is the third edition of a report that was first published in 2007 as a mid-term review document by the Policy Unit in The Presidency in collaboration with the Clusters of Directors-General. It provides a framework to present aggregate data on progress in human development.

South Africa joins a few countries in the world that publish similar indicators on a regular basis. This 2009 publication is significant because the data will also serve as a baseline for the 2009-2014 electoral mandate period.

The following highlights are presented for the 76 indicators that are clustered into ten broad themes:

1. ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATION

The deterioration in global economic conditions is adversely affecting South Africa, as real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the whole of 2008 slowed to 3.1% compared to an average of over 5% in the previous three years. Annualised quarter-on-quarter figures for the first and second quarters of 2009 were -6.4% and -3.0% respectively. Combined with negative growth in the last quarter of 2008, this is the first time in more than 15 years that South Africa has experienced three consecutive quarters of negative growth.

Foreign direct investment increased from R18.127 billion in 2007 to R103.497 billion in 2008. Gross fixed capital formation increased from 20.6% of GDP in 2007 to 23.2% of GDP in 2008. Annualised quarter-to-quarter growth in gross fixed capital formation slowed markedly to 3% in the fourth quarter of 2008 and to 2.6% in the first quarter of 2009 following three years of double-digit growth. This is broadly in line with the decline in economic activity in the South African economy.

• The average real interest rate for the period 1994 to 1999 was 11.2% compared to the period 2000 to 2008 when it was about 7.4%.
• Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation reached 11.5% in 2008, although a decline is noted in the course of 2009.
• The bond points spread increased from 93 in 2006 to 339 basis points in 2008 indicating a rise in perceptions of risk among investors, and more expensive borrowing for government.
• The repatriation of dividends, amongst other factors, was responsible for the high current account deficit, which experienced a slight deterioration from -7.3% of GDP in 2007 to -7.4% of GDP in 2008.
• Since 2004 R&D expenditure has increased significantly to reach R16.5 billion or 0.95% of GDP by 2006/07. Whilst the 2008 target of 1% is attainable, the biggest risks to achieving our R&D objectives is the low proportion of high school science and maths passes and graduates from Science Engineering and Technology (SET) disciplines, as well as the impact of the economic slowdown on planned R&D investment, particularly in the business sector.
• The negative impact of the global slowdown is already being felt on the government budget as well as government debt as a percentage of GDP. The medium term budget balance as a percentage of GDP is projected to be a deficit of over 6% in 2009/10.
• Whilst there is progress in transforming the economy to be broadly representative, the value and number of empowerment transactions and representation of previously disadvantaged individuals at management levels is progressing at a slow pace.
• Generally the country is doing well in global economic rankings, although it is clear that in some sub-indices, especially labour force skills, other countries are advancing faster than South Africa.

2. EMPLOYMENT

• Positive gains attained during an increase in employment from 11.3 million in March 2003 to 13.6 million in March 2009 and the attendant decline in unemployment rate from 31.2% to 23.5% over the same period, are beginning to be eroded by the current economic slowdown. The country has witnessed massive job losses in the recent months. 267 000 jobs were lost in the second quarter of 2009.
• However, the massive public sector-led construction package and expansion of public works projects is assisting in what would have been an even greater unemployment challenge.
• Over a 5-year period up to March 2009, the Expanded Public Works (EPWP) programme exceeded its target by creating a cumulative total of 1.65 million work opportunities, and its second phase is planned to create a cumulative total of 4 million work opportunities.

3. POVERTY AND INEQUALITY

• More than 13 million people now receive social grants, compared to 7.87-million in 2004/05.
• The mean per capita income analysis shows an improvement in the incomes of the poorest 10% of the population rising from R783 per month in 1993 to R1 041 per month in 2008 (in 2008 Rand).
• Using the living standard measure (LSM), between 2000/01 and 2007/08 there was a significant decrease in the proportion of people in lower categories (LSMs 1-3) and an increase in the size of the middle bands (LSMs 4-6).
• Income inequality in South Africa was not reduced even during the years of economic growth: while income of all sectors has improved, that of the richer segment of the society seems to have improved at a faster rate.
• Using various income poverty measures, the number of people living in poverty has declined especially between 1999 and 2007, although the rate of this decline is slow. It seems that the decline itself may have slowed down further during 2008.

These figures indicate that since 1994 significant improvements were made with regard to reducing poverty. Both the distribution of social grants as well as an improvement in the labour market, have significantly improved the income levels of especially the poor. However these were not enough to dent income inequality. The current economic slow-down is likely to lead to deterioration in the poverty indicators.

4. HOUSEHOLD AND COMMUNITY ASSETS

• In March 2009, the subsidised housing programme reached a cumulative total of 2.8 million units completed or under construction.
• Access to water infrastructure above or equal to the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) standard increased from 61.7% in 1994 to 91.8% in March 2009.
• The number of households with access to sanitation increased from 50% in 1994 to 77% (10 million) in March 2009, although complete eradication of the bucket system remains a challenge in a handful of municipalities.
• Only about 5% of the land restitution claims remain unresolved. They are mainly rural based and quite complex in nature.
• The goal of distributing 30% of the country's agricultural land by 2014 remains a challenge.

5. HEALTH

• There is lack of consensus about the calculation of life expectancy in South Africa due to lack of reliable data especially for the period before 2000. There is however a pattern of increasing mortality, especially among the young. Most calculations suggest a stabilisation of the trend in recent years.
• Infant and child mortality data from different sources show an increase, mostly attributed to the impact of HIV and AIDS.
• There is a decrease in the number of children suffering from severe malnutrition, from 89 000 in 2001 to 26 000 in 2008 - and some studies attribute this to improved nutritional status of children when their caregiver receives a support grant.
• National immunisation coverage of 88% was achieved in 2008 against the 90% target, and delivery of 3 new vaccines is planned with the aim of reducing child mortality especially in the 18 selected most deprived districts countrywide.
• HIV and AIDS remain a challenge despite the findings of the 2007 antenatal survey which reflected a 1% reduction in HIV prevalence between 2006 and 2007, and a 2% reduction between 2005 and 2007.
• Despite the lack of reliable data on community prevalence of tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant and extensively drug resistant strains, the tuberculosis cure rate increased from 50% in 2001 to 63% in 2007.
• The number of malaria cases has dropped markedly over time.

6. EDUCATION

• Whilst acknowledging variations between districts and provinces, the average learner-to-educator ratio in 2008 is 31:1 in ordinary public schools - down from 34:1 in 1999, which means that it has stabilised around the set target of 32:1.
• In 2008 the overall gender parity index (GPI) for school access was at 1.01, which is a level within the acceptable ranges of between 0.97 and 1.03.
• In 2008 the percentage National Senior Certificate Examination pass rate was 62.2% compared with the 2007 pass rate of 65.2%, representing a 3% drop.
• In 2008 the distinction between higher grade and standard grade mathematics was phased out, and mathematics literacy and mathematics were introduced. As a baseline, 136 184 mathematics passes and 210 134 mathematics literacy passes were recorded in 2008.
• Despite the evident increase in the percentage of graduating students that are qualifying in the Science, Engineering and Technology disciplines (from 25.5% in 1995 to 28.8% in 2007), the number (36 429) remains very low compared to the enormity of the scientific skills shortages in South Africa.

7. SOCIAL COHESION

• We present data on voter participation since the 1994 elections. During the April 2009 elections 84.1% of the voting age population registered to vote compared to 75.4% in 2004. Of the registered voters, 77.3% turned out to vote in 2009 compared to 76.7% in 2004. This is an indication of high public interest in the recently held elections.
• During periods of national elections, surveys show greater levels of public confidence in government institutions and in the future of the country. The general decline in public opinion on issues of race relations, confidence in the future for all races and in the country's direction as well as pride in the country, may have been influenced by specific incidents during the survey periods.

8. SAFETY AND SECURITY

• The data is available up to the end of the 2008/09 financial year. Trend-wise, though the crime levels in general have continued to decline, they nevertheless continue to be unacceptably high. Most notably five of the seven subcategories of contact crime have continued to decline.
• What is however worrisome is the increase in the incidents of the so-called trio-crimes, namely, carjackings, robberies at business premises as well as robberies at non-residential premises. Another disturbing trend of the recent data is the rise in the number of sexual offences, but this is at least in part a result of the reclassification of some offences.
• To intensify its efforts to create safer communities, government has commenced with several mutually reinforcing initiatives to improve the capacity of the state to fight crime through the revamp of the criminal justice system.

9. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

• South Africa remains a significant actor and a major contributor in peacekeeping operations. The recent announcement of the termination of South Africa's participation in the African Union Special Task Force in Burundi and the eventual withdrawal of our troops is an indication of the success of such peacekeeping efforts.
• Whilst we have seen an increase in the number of democratically elected governments on the African continent over the years, this improvement has been negatively affected by unlawful removal of incumbents in some few countries in the recent period.
• The positive performance of African economies over the past few years is beginning to be affected adversely by the deterioration in the global economy, but less so than highly industrialised countries.
• With regard to tourism, in 2008, foreign arrivals reached an all-time high of 9.6 million. This 5.5% increase from the previous year exceeds the global growth rate of 1.3%. Good performance of the tourism sector should be boosted further by various international sporting events in 2009 and 2010, particularly South Africa's hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

10. GOOD GOVERNANCE

• Revenue collection has been increasing over the years due SARS' efficient system of tax collection and the relatively high growth rate in the economy. The economic slowdown is expected to reduce revenue collection below expected levels in the current financial year.
• The prevalence of qualified audit opinions has not improved significantly over the years, particularly for municipalities.
• The 2008 Corruption Index results show a setback in perception regarding the fight against corruption in South Africa. This perception is in part informed by the number of corruption incidents that government exposes to the public as a way of raising public awareness about the fight against corruption.
• In the 2008 Budget Index, South Africa is ranked among the top five countries globally that provide extensive budgetary information to its citizens.
• In the 2009 Doing Business Index we are ranked number 32 globally, which is an improvement on previous years.
• Data on environmental indicators is limited, and the available estimates show that South Africa's greenhouse emissions have been increasing; possibly attributable to higher economic growth.

As the government continue to publish these indicators on an annual basis, we encourage the ANC Today readers to examine them against other research done independently of government and provide feedback to our democratic government in order to enhance future publications.

Development Indicators