While South Africa’s freight industry waits to hear who the new minister at the helm of the Department of Transport (DoT) will be, especially after rumours circulated that the incumbent minister is on his way out, Gauteng at least has found out who its next MEC for roads and transport will be.
Jacob Mamabolo, formerly of the Department of Infrastructure Development, will take over from Ishmael Vadi as MEC for Public Transport and Road Infrastructure.
Vadi, who many feel did a good job running a department that struggled to shake off a reputation for being incapable of keeping traffic lights running and repairing potholes, has not been re-assigned.
Mamabolo, who along with several other MECs will be sworn in tomorrow, is widely seen as a confidante of Gauteng premier David Makhura who is firmly aligned to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s side of the ANC.
He also played a significant role in executing some of Ramaphosa’s objectives set out in the R400-billion economic stimulus package announced soon after Jacob Zuma was ousted.
Widely recognised as a strong man, Mamabolo is expected to command respect and support from the freight industry.
His appointment could also be seen as indication of who Ramaphosa may appoint to head up the DoT if Nzimande is not retained.
Last week Road Freight Association acting CEO, Gavin Kelly, said it would be a pity if Nzimande wasn’t retained since he was familiar with transport issues, especially crucial ones such as the importance of ensuring the safety and security of trucks on South Africa’s roads.
One of the names Kelly said he had seen on a list that had been circulated through the corridors of power included that of Nathi Mthethwa, erstwhile minister of police before he was re-assigned to arts and culture under Thabo Mbeki’s administration.
These people are all in Ramaphosa’s camp, all espouse similar ideals for industrial renewal, and are generally thought to bode well for the freight industry.
Looked at another way, certain MEC appointments in Gauteng herald a significant changing of the guard from the bottom up and add extra anticipation to the long-awaited announcement of Ramaphosa’s cabinet, expected by week’s end.
