Five hundred more vehicles will be added to the country’s first mini-bus incentive programme when the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) launches the second phase of Moja Cruise during Transport Month in October. The roll-out of the second phase, which will bring the total number of vehicles to 1000, was approved during a Full Council meeting recently. In 2018, the ETA launched the pilot Moja Cruise programme. The project was to be rolled out over a three-year period with up to 6 000 vehicles. 

The branded Moja Cruise taxis have been installed with state-of-the-art tracking systems which was paid for by the Municipality. The trackers monitor bad driving including adhering to the speed limit and the use of driving controls such as brakes and change of gears. 

The aim of the programme, which is a partnership between the Municipality and eThekwini Management Taxi Council (EMTC), is to ensure a safe, secure and efficient customer oriented service. The programme motivates drivers to comply in order to qualify for financial incentives. Head of 

ETA Thami Manyathi said due to fiscus constraints and the impact of COVID-19 lockdown regulations, the rollout strategy was revised. “Moja Cruise taxis adhere to certain criteria to offer a clean, safe, efficient, customer-oriented service to the public. The vehicles are monitored to ensure that these criteria are met in order to qualify for the financial incentive,” he said. 

At the end of the pilot phase, the Moja Cruise project was strongly supported by operators and drivers, with confirmed desired benefits for the City. On that basis, there was good reason and support from all parties for the programme to move to full implementation.

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Small, medium, and micro enterprise contractors were recognised for completing their NQF level 2 certificates. They were honoured by contractors for the GO!Durban C9 Work Package 2A who hosted a Women’s Day and Contracts Participation Goals (CPG) Mentorship Programme awards ceremony. The event was held at the Phoenix Construction site office.

This work package runs from Bridge City in KwaMashu to Gateway in uMhlanga. The contractors are Phoenix Highway JV, Raubex KZN, Makhathini, Dlamcon, Mumbo Consulting  and Nankhoo Consulting Engineers.

As part of the GO!Durban Empowerment Strategy, appointed contractors are required to provide mentorship and training to empower and develop local SMME contractors.

During the ceremony, residents working on the construction of the C9 route received NQF level 2 certificates for successfully completing courses. Most of the recipients were women. The modules included tendering procedures, construction activities, contract administration, construction supervision, business management, and close out reports.

Sizakele Ngema of the Thomanoc Trading expressed gratitude for the training. She will use her newly acquired skills to grow her business.

“The training has helped me a great deal to improve the way I run my company. I have learnt how to bid for tenders to grow my company.  When I started in construction as a woman, it was difficult learning the business. However, now things have improved. I have overcome challenges and am working well with my team,” she said.

The CPG Mentorship Programme started in 2020 with 11 local contractors to enhance their overall business. The training is ongoing and offers both classroom and on-site mentoring. 

The ceremony was attended by eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) officials and ward 48 Councillor Michelle Lutchmen and ward 49 Councillor Tino Pillay.

ETA Deputy Head Bethuel Manthoadi congratulated the certificate recipients and stressed the importance of skills development.

“I am excited to see so many women who have completed the programme. However, it does not stop here, I encourage you to continue to develop yourself.”

ETA Deputy Head Bethuel Manthoadi

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