Transport BEE codes gazetted
28 August 2009

Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) codes for the transport sector, one of the biggest contributors to South Africa 's infrastructure and Gross Domestic Product growth, were gazetted this week.

Their targets include increasing black ownership of bus commuter services, increasing the number of black pilots, and providing training for the country 's taxi drivers, reports SouthAfrica.info.

The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) said in a statement that the country 's transport stakeholders had committed to a range of empowerment targets, representing "a significant milestone in a process of national transformation."

The codes set significant targets and measures that would, if properly implemented, "provide meaningful economic impetus to the sector and the South African economy as a whole."

The gazetting means that eight sub-sectors of the codes, excluding the foreign airline component of the aviation sub-sector, are now final and binding across the transport industry. The foreign airline component "remains a section 12 charter and, as such, is not legally binding," the department said.

Among other things, the codes commit the sector to training and skills development to increase the number of black pilots in the country. It also focuses on achieving black ownership of at least 35 percent in the bus commuter service industry within five years.

The codes further commit to promoting worker rights in the taxi industry and empowering workers with the skills needed to enter management positions.

It will also ensure that the taxi industry provides the public with a reliable, safe, affordable and efficient service.

Unlike other sector codes, the transport sector codes will be up for review every five years.

The gazetted codes can be accessed on the DTI website www.thedti.gov.za

www.buanews.gov.za