Umm Muhammed Umar

Radio Islam spoke to the lawyer for the South African National Airport Parking Association (SANAPA), Pieter Rudolph, regarding the airport valet parking industry growing at a rapid rate.

Rudolph said that pre COVID the tourism industry showed an exponential growth, year on year. He said, “the airport’s company South Africa, which is also a state enterprise, had indicated in its projection and forecast, that all airports are experiencing higher volumes of travellers since the World Cup.” He added that this was also the main reason that ACSA had needed more investment and expansion at airports locally – in order to accommodate the great demand in travel – as well as the relocation of Durban Airport to King Shaka Airport, and the various upgrades at all the airports towards the end of 2019 and just before lockdown 2020. He said, “there was a greater demand using a reputable offsite valet operator.”

The airport parking industry also expanded at a rapid pace. Thus, SANAPA, also received great interest.  from the industry and its members and subscribers. Rudolph said, “So we are trying to align in the facets joining us and make it a more reputable industry.” It’s a trust-based industry, and despite the high crime rate in our country, it is remarkable that many South Africans actually trust strangers to park or look after the cars once they are away.” Rudolph said, “it is a principle of trust at the end of the day, especially with the high crime rates and even with lockdown and unemployment. It is sometimes difficult as we can imagine, to survive in these difficult times.” He explained, “SANAPA, as an organization, also took the initiative in taking a leading role by vetting and screening its members, subscribers, which could also assist the public with rest assured.” SANAPA also has a code of conduct, which must be subscribed to by all its members and subscribers.

There had recently been an incident where a valet had gone rogue with a family car. Rudolph said, “this is unfortunate and isolated incident” and any potential customer or member of the public to get a reputable referral from a friend or colleague that had used a similar operator. He said that alternatively, members of the public who were uncertain and wanted further information, could visit SANAPA’s offices or website, as they also had their own list of subscribers and members. Rudolph emphasized, “we are established to enhance and protect all the interest, not only the public’s interest, but also the industries.” He further emphasized the importance of eradicating such rogue incidents, mistrust and uncertainty.