Pretoria - Transport Minister Dipuo Peters says the transport sector is key in helping to eradicate poverty, reduce unemployment and inequality in South Africa.
The Minister was speaking at the inaugural Transport Sector Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Indaba, at Orlando Stadium, on Thursday.
The Minister said the theme, “Sekujalo/Ke Nako/Now is the Time: Accelerating Transformation for Black Economic Empowerment,” is relevant and should make attendees transcend in advancing radical economic transformation.
She said the main purpose of the Indaba is to, among others, advance the radical economic transformation and empowerment of black people including women, youth and people with disabilities; create opportunities for black business in the transport sector; engage stakeholders on the issues related to challenges, interventions and opportunities; and develop an implementation plan that will be used as a monitoring tool.
According to Transport Education and Training Authority Sector Skills Plan Update of January 2014, the sector employs approximately 831 701 people (6%) of the national workforce.
The Minister said while 75.3% of people in the transport sector are in formal sector, and the remaining 24.7% are in informal sector; employment in the transport sector grew by 17.9% between 2001 and the second quarter of 2013, while total labour force employment increased by 9%.
“This means the transport sector is an important generator of employment in the South African economy,” she said.
She said the racial composition of the sector in 2013 showed representation of 71.9% of Africans, 11.2% of Coloureds, 4.3% of Indians and 12.6% of Whites.
“These percentages are broadly reflective of national demographics. About 79.6% of those employed in the sector are male compared to 20.4% females.”
The Stellenbosch University’s Department of Logistics launched the Logistics Barometer South Africa 2015 report on logistics costs calculated up until 2013, and forecasted up to 2015.
The Minister referred to the report, which revealed that at R393 billion, logistics costs in 2013 equalled 11.1% of South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“This relationship does not compare well with the figures for North America which is estimated at 8.8%, and Europe at 9.2%, but is better than those of South America at 12.3% and Asia Pacific at 12.8%. Changes in input costs are expected to increase this percentage for 2014 and 2015.” - SAnews.gov.za
