The South African Transport Conference (SATC) held in Tshwane this week offered an exciting snapshot of an industry in the midst of rapid evolution, committed to growth and upskilling, with a positive vision for the future.
The event, the 42nd SATC, was held under the theme “Upskilling and Reskilling the Transport Industry for Current and Future Challenges”.
New transport minister Barbara Creecy set the tone for the conference when she delivered the opening plenary address. She conceded that the transport sector had many serious challenges, but committed herself – and the South African government – to addressing those challenges.
“Our roads and rail networks are arteries of our nation, and should move people and goods safely, speedily and affordably across the length and breadth of our country, and facilitate our connectivity with Africa and the broader world,” said Creecy.
Creecy said the National Logistics Crisis Committee was returning Transnet to pre-pandemic performance levels, and Prasa was continuing to reopen shuttered passenger lines. She reported that 28 of 40 priority lines were now fully functional.
Creecy also committed to work with the minibus taxi industry to build a “safer, greener transport ecosystem,”
The conference featured several papers researching the state of the taxi sector and proposals for its evolution. These included research into electric taxi transition, social-media engagement, and encouraging non-users to consider taxi use.
The Wealth On Wheels (WOW) platform, an initiative led by the SANTACO business arm of the Eastern Cape Transport Tertiary Cooperative Limited (ECTTC), exhibited at the conference, showcasing its innovative solutions for digital cash payments, GPS fleet management and scholar transport.
The four-day conference included sessions on infrastructure, integrated transport and spatial development; traffic engineering; rural development; rail; infrastructure; urban and public transport; traffic management, safety and security; aviation, freight and logistics; engineering for safe systems; maritime; BRICS innovation co-operation; public-private partnerships and critical thinking through project development.
Another major trend visible at the conference was the rise of women in transport, with the keynote speaker on every day of the conference being a woman in leadership..
Transport Education and Training Authority CEO Maphefo Anno-Frempong showcased how TETA is evolving its skills offer in line with the needs of the industry.
Victoria Sheehan, executive director of the US Transportation Research Board (TRB) presented findings from recent TRB research on how to design a progressive, people-centred transportation system.
Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority Managing Director Abimbola Akinajo spoke directly to the conference theme with her keynote, addressing the upskilling and reskilling of the transport-industry workforce to tackle current and future challenges in a mega city context.
Dr Allyson Lawless, the first female president of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, delivered the keynote on Day 4 for the event, dedicated to International Women in Transport.
The conference drew a full complement of delegates and exhibitors from 18 countries. The 43rd SATC event will take place in July 2025. A consolidated conference report with recommendations will be delivered to the Minister of Transport for her consideration.
