Staff Reporter
KwaZulu-Natal has started planning a two-day transport indaba aimed at addressing deteriorating roads, maintenance backlogs, capacity constraints and climate-related risks across the province’s transport network.
The indaba will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 1 and 2 October, during Transport Month.
The office of the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements said on Tuesday that planning meetings had started following the presentation of the department’s budget speech last week.
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The indaba forms part of the implementation of a 10-point plan announced during the budget presentation by Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma.
KwaZulu-Natal is strategically positioned within South Africa’s transport and logistics network, with the Port of Durban, major freight corridors and an extensive provincial road network supporting trade, tourism and access to rural areas.
But this places considerable pressure on transport infrastructure and requires continued investment, maintenance and optimisation to support economic activity.
The sector is facing systemic challenges that included growing maintenance backlogs, declining road conditions in some areas, capacity constraints in freight and passenger transport systems and the increasing effect of climate-related risks on infrastructure resilience, the department said.
Those pressures are being compounded by rapid urbanisation, rising freight volumes and the need to modernise public transport operations.
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“The Indaba will serve to interrogate current transport challenges, explore innovative solutions, strengthen institutional coordination and align infrastructure investment priorities with provincial and national development objectives across the road, rail, maritime and aviation sectors,” said Ndabezinhle Sibiya, spokesperson for Duma.
“Through structured engagements and thematic discussions, the Indaba will contribute towards shaping a more resilient, efficient and sustainable transport system that supports long-term economic development and improved service delivery outcomes within the province,” he said.
