KwaZulu-Natal’s transport network has come under renewed focus this October, with road safety campaigns, public transport initiatives and high-level discussions on freight and logistics forming part of Transport Month activities across the province.
In eThekwini, the municipality has rolled out a series of road safety campaigns, commuter engagements and public transport activations, while provincial government and industry leaders are also turning their attention to congestion, freight movement and the efficiency of KwaZulu-Natal’s key logistics corridors.
The focus comes as the province looks to strengthen its position as one of South Africa’s major trade and transport gateways.
Earlier this month, government officials, industry experts and policymakers gathered at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre for the two-day KwaZulu-Natal Transport Indaba on Thursday, 1 October and Friday, 2 October.
Discussions centred on freight, aviation, rail, maritime and road transport, with particular emphasis on improving connectivity, modernising infrastructure and supporting economic growth.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy highlighted the strategic importance of KwaZulu-Natal, pointing to the ports of Durban and Richards Bay, the N2 and N3 corridors, the provincial rail network, King Shaka International Airport and Dube TradePort.
“The province’s ports of Durban and Richards Bay handle millions of tons of cargo annually, connecting local producers with global markets and supporting key economic sectors including manufacturing, automotive exports and imports, mining, and agriculture,” Creecy said.
One of the key issues raised was the need to move more freight from road to rail to reduce pressure on major road corridors and improve safety and efficiency. A single heavy-haul coal train can carry between 13 000 and 17 000 tonnes of cargo, potentially replacing approximately 300 to 425 trucks on provincial roads.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the Indaba represented an important step in shaping the future of transport and logistics in the province.
“Through discussions on freight, aviation, and multimodal integration, our panellists are exploring resilient transport networks and strategic transport corridors that will strengthen KwaZulu-Natal’s economy and connectivity,” Duma said.
Concerns around freight movement were also raised at the recent “UnBlocked: Focus on Freight” engagement at Moses Mabhida Stadium, where representatives from government, business, ports and the logistics industry discussed congestion and supply chain challenges.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli called for stronger cooperation between government and the private sector to address bottlenecks affecting the movement of goods through the province. Discussions focused particularly on congestion at the Port of Durban, the movement of freight, supply chain efficiency and measures needed to improve the reliability of the province’s logistics network.
“Efficient freight movement remains critical not only to logistics operators, but also to manufacturers, exporters, retailers and other businesses that depend on reliable supply chains. Addressing congestion and improving the movement of goods, therefore, has broader implications for investment, economic competitiveness, job creation and the cost of doing business in KwaZulu-Natal,” Ntuli said.
While longer-term transport and logistics challenges are being tackled at provincial level, eThekwini Municipality’s Transport Month programme is placing a stronger emphasis on everyday road safety and public transport.
Community road safety campaigns are scheduled for Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu on Wednesday, 7 October, followed by an engagement in Umlazi on Wednesday, 21 October.
Pedestrian awareness campaigns will also take place at busy locations including Berea Centre, the Workshop Precinct, Mega City and Toti Mall.
“These activations aim to encourage safer pedestrian behaviour, while creating awareness about the shared responsibility of all road users in reducing accidents and improving mobility,” the municipality said.
A series of GO!Durban roadshows will also be held across the Greater North, Durban Central, Durban West, South 1 and South 2 regions.
GO!Durban is eThekwini Municipality’s planned Integrated Public Transport Network and is intended to improve connectivity between communities while making employment, services and economic opportunities more accessible.
Taxi rank activations are also planned for the Durban CBD, Isipingo, Mega City and Pinetown areas, where commuters will be provided with transport-related information and services.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said the city and province needed to move beyond discussing transport challenges and towards practical implementation.
“Under the theme: ‘The Gateway for Smart Mobility’, we have gathered to reaffirm our collective commitment to building an integrated, reliable, and dignified transport system. There is no better way to address transport and logistics challenges than by bringing together the brightest minds from across sectors. This Indaba must move us from dialogue to delivery,” Xaba said.
Other activities planned for October include a Vehicle Operating Company Establishment Stakeholder Event, the launch of the Razo mascot and a GO!Durban soft launch later in the month.
With Transport Month placing mobility under the spotlight, the province’s focus stretches from pedestrian and commuter safety to the larger challenge of moving freight efficiently through Durban’s ports, roads and rail network. For KwaZulu-Natal, the month is also highlighting the wider role transport plays in economic growth, job creation and maintaining the province’s position as a major logistics gateway.
