First of all, thank you for allowing me into your email this year– yes, I’ve not spammed you, or sent regular emails about transport and logistics issues.
Secondly, the entire transport and logistics industry in South Africa is undergoing various market level changes. Particularly with the emerging series of policies in the aviation, regional mobility, and regulatory spheres.
Policy reforms and regulation which will need the attention of industry leaders and practitioners include:
- The implementation of Carbon Tax regulations (which include carbon credits and financing);
- The establishment and constitution of the Single Transport Economic Regulator;
- The regulatory reforms associated with including Mobility as a Service in the National Land Transport Act;
- The shift in national transport policy toward an equitable, fair and just subsidy allocation model; and
- The reforms in road, rail and air transportation industries within the institutions and between industries.
Other issues which will be of interest in the 2020 year involve the relationships between municipal authorities with public transport contract and conflict administration, as numerous insiders highlight that there’s some collusion taking place. Particularly the cost of entry and the role of officials.
With South African Airways’ business rescue process underway, an important precedent is taking place, but severely critical questions need to be asked and explored by practitioners, media, unions and outsiders. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s current market position is also a key conversation, but these two will be narrated by most publishing houses.
Our concerns are much more tangible: what is the future of the road freight industry, amidst the unresolved conflicts which have plagued the industry in times of ‘plenty and little’? Will small bus owners truly have access to the market? What is the impact of the subsidy narrative in the minibus taxi industry? Will regional airports come back to life? What kind of technologies will direct mobility and access? Who will fund road safety initiatives? When will new participants enter the rail industry? — The questions continue.
Let me close of by outlining our progress so far: what started off with about 7 visitors and 74 views in 2017, has grown to more than 2000 visitors and over 4000 views by 2019. Each year the small cohort of guests keep coming on board, and new opportunities emerge for even more knowledge exchange. This is a hearty thank you to the subscribers here who are always tuning in within the first hour of a post; journalists who keep reaching out for deeper insights (published and unpublished), radio and television producers from PowerFM, SAfm, Lesedi Fm, MetroFM; in television Newzroom Africa Channel 405 and eNews Channel Africa. Public and private sector partners who have been a great source of encouragement for continuous work this year– their invitations to specific events, engagements and ideas have truly added more value than some books. There are just too many people who I consider an intellectual part of my family in practice and craft. Students I’ve taught, and teach who are an abundant source of debate and tension contribute to the formulation and simplification of the work you see in this blog.
With these few words, let’s start the year already!
Best Regards,
Ofentse Hlulani Mokwena
http://www.hlulani.com
Hlulani 