Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
09 March 2023 | 13:04 CAT

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New Transport Minister Sindi Chikunga has a tough job ahead of her. She is part of the reshuffled cabinet announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night. Civil society organisation OUTA says her predecessor Fikile Mbalula vacated his office for his new ANC job at Luthuli House as the ANC Secretary-General, leaving issues with the driving licence card renewal system needing to be solved.

Although Sindisiwe Chikunga is no newcomer to the Department of Transport (DoT), whether she is the right fit for such a crucial sector remains. As the department’s previous deputy minister under Fikile Mbalula, Chikunga’s first stint with the DoT was in 2014, also as deputy.

Former transport minister Fikile Mbalula said serving as a minister was a “privilege”.

OUTA Senior Legal Project Manager Andrea van Heerden described Mbalula’s tenure as disappointing.

She said on his appointment as transport minister Mbalula has made many promises to work together with civil society in resolving pertinent issues that plagued us as a society. That has yet to pass, and we are left with more unanswered questions than ways forward.

Together with the driving licence card renewal system, there are other unresolved issues, and Van Heerden highlighted an important issue that goes hand in hand with the driving licence is the extension of validity of the driver’s license card.

With Chikunga’s promotion, Lisa Mangcu will take over as deputy transport minister. Mangcu had been part of the transport oversight committee in the National Assembly. Until his appointment, he had been acting chairperson of the committee, taking over from Mosebenzi Zwane, who stepped aside from that responsibility.

The pair will have to hit the ground running to get public transport, such as trains, buses and taxis running efficiently.

Listen to the interview with presenter ML Habib Bobat and his guest Andrea Van Heerden on Radio Islam’s podcast.