Polokwane airport to attract tourists , grow economy

Date: 22 Oct 2008

By Edwin Tshivhidzo, tel: (012) 314-2454

Polokwane - The new state-of-the art Polokwane International Airport is set to attract more foreign tourists and contribute to growing the province's economy during and well beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

As a host city, Polokwane will benefit tremendously from the new international terminal when thousands of soccer fans from around the world stream into the province.

It is expected that the Polokwane Airport will service about 200 000 passengers per annum. It is also set to become the international gateway to Africa due to its position in southern Africa.

Opening the new building terminal, Limpopo MEC for Roads and Transport Justice Piitso said on Tuesday the airport would become one of the fastest growing in the region, servicing not just the country but the entire Southern African Development Community.

"We will be going all out to woo investors, both domestic and foreign so that they can come and join hands with us, the infrastructure that we are putting in place will be reason enough for those who want to join hands with us in our endeavour to grow the economy and create decent and sustainable jobs," said MEC Piitso.

Polokwane Mayor Thabo Makunyane, expressed delight at the new airport building saying this was a major milestone in preparing to host matches in 2010.

"We will now be able to welcome everybody to our province," he said.

Airport Board Chairperson Laduma Thebe said the new building had already boosted staff morale. The staff would be vital in ensuring the tourists felt welcome on their arrival.

Construction on the new building was started in 2001 and was finally completed this year.

Also speaking at the event, Director General from the National Department of Transport Mpumi Mpofu said the province should take full advantage of the airport, to strengthen its role in the economic growth of the province," she said.

Ms Mpumi expressed confidence that the airport will be able to meet demand as it grows and becomes busier.

Meanwhile, the construction of new stadium in Polokwane is well underway, it was reported at the event. - BuaNews

Learners encouraged to consider careers in transport

By Gabi Khumalo



Cape Town - In an effort to inspire learners to consider a career in
transport, the City of Cape Town has made learners aware of the various
career opportunities in the transport industry.



In his presentation to 160 Grade nine learners from eight Cape Town
schools, City's Manager for Transport Planning Donald Cupido told
learners that the city was in need of visionaries, dreamers, doers and
those that keep things working.



"There are direct careers such as planners, economists, engineers,
environmental scientists and project managers but also indirect ones
such as designers, architects and facilitators," Mr Cupido told
learners.



He added that the industry also relies heavily on support professions
such as draughtspersons, technicians, administrators and communication
specialists.



The presentation was part of the transport's programme, "Our heritage,
our future schools" organised by the City's Transport Department and the
Hosken Consolidated Investment (HCI) Foundation in celebration of
Transport Month.



In his address, Executive Deputy Mayor Grant Haskin encouraged learners
to access the career opportunities in transportation via the city's
bursary scheme.



He said that transportation was diverse and can offer an interesting
future for the ambitious candidate, adding that it is this very sector
that forms the backbone of the economy within Cape Town.



"An important transport legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is the
Integrated Transport Plan, which will facilitate social integration for
all Capetonians and provide access to Cape Town's economy and the jobs
created by the private sector," Mr Haskin said.



Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater Councillor
Elizabeth Thompson said she believed that people must have access to a
dignified, safe, clean, reliable, accessible and affordable public
transport system.



"The City has embarked on an ambitious and comprehensive project to
provide a world class public transport system and in addition, we are
committed to spending substantial funds on creating pavements and
dedicated bicycle lanes," Ms Thompson said.



She added that residents should be provided with reliable alternative
forms of getting around including the opportunity to walk, cycle and use
other forms of non-motorised transport.



"We need to reclaim our roads and create safe spaces for the enjoyment
of all," she said.



The city caters for the transport needs of an estimated 3 percent annual
increase in residents. - BuaNews

South Africa has one of the highest road death tolls in the world

Lion of Africa, one of South Africa’s leading short term insurers has appealed to Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel, to address the infrastructural issues affecting the country’s transport system in his upcoming national budget speech on 20 February by allocating increased government funds for the upgrading and repair of South Africa’s roads.
“The number of vehicles on our roads has increased over the past couple of years to just under eight million, with a large majority of them being driven by inexperienced new drivers,” says Adam Samie , CEO of Lion of Africa Insurance Company.

http://www.itinews.co.za/companyview.aspx?cocategoryid=14&companyid=228&itemid=549C67D9-7266-4D15-A924-5BA6A1F462F3

China Railway Construction wins $2.6 bln bids in Libya

www.chinaview.cn 2008-02-18 00:57:14

BEIJING, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's leading railway contractor has won the bids to build two major railways in Libya, which together are worth about 3.2 billion dinars (2.6 billion U.S. dollars), according to the company.

The two contracts won by the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) are a west-to-east coastal railway from Khums to Sirt and a south-to-west railway that would facilitate iron ore transportation from southern city Sebha to Misurata as well as passenger transportation along the line.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7620265.htm

SA-led consortium will manage Ugandan railway

By Katy Pownall

Kampala - Uganda has signed a contract with a South African-led consortium to manage its railway, four months behind schedule because of a court case, an official said on Monday.
In a bid to encourage economic integration in the East African region, Uganda and Kenya invited bids for the joint management over 25 years of Kenya Railways Corporation and Uganda Railways.

Source:
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw1144703344353R131

Metrorail managers suspended

Metrorail’s entire management team in Tshwane has been suspended after the torching of commuter trains, the South African Rail Commuter Corporation said yesterday.

Full story:

http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=688978