Let's not stop here - there is more to do!
The DoT - Department of Transport (South Africa) is facing searing criticism from airline stakeholders as well as from tourism transport operators.
The DoT under the leadership of Minister Fikile Mbalula is failing to reconstitute the country's Air Services Licensing Council as well as appointing a new committee on issuing Transport Operating Licences and delaying therefore job creation impacting on the livelihood of all South Africans.
I myself, Enya Fehler, have started a petition a few weeks ago to draw attention to the mismanagement within the NPTR (National Public Transport Regulator) and to perhaps get the issuing of tourism transport operating licences moved to the Department of Tourism.
Every signature to this petition (now just about 500) has triggered and continues to trigger an email to the following:
President Cyril Ramaphosa - Office of the President - presidentrsa@presidency.gov.za
Department of Transport South Africa - Minister Fikile Mbalula - TransportMinistry@dot.gov.za
Minister Lindiwe Sisulu - Office of the Minister - prettyn@tourism.gov.za
So far, not one of them (or their office) have responded and willfully ignoring the pleas of the very people they sworn to serve. If you have not signed our petition yet please do so at https://www.change.org/tourism-operating-licence and share with everyone you know!
This unbearable situation has evoked many responses and SATSA (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association) has been working tirelessly to establish communication with government officials responsible for this mess.
At a recent video message David Frost CEO of SATSA has appealed to wheel operators to contribute to a "legal fund" to the tune of ZAR 1000 per vehicle. This fund is then used to put a legal challenge against the NPTR / Department of Transport - check it out here https://www.satsa.com/nptr-appeal-and-update/
The SATSA transport committee under the leadership of Onne and Elmarie Venter has created the necessary accounting system for this fund and I urge you to be part of this legal challenge. Please contact Elmarie on elmarie@wild-wings-safaris.com as she will issue you with an invoice / bank details for your contribution.
By the way - if you are not having your own tourism wheels because you are, let's say an accommodation establishment, you should still be part of this legal challenge because it is impacting everyone - email Elmarie for details.
We need to stand together to ensure tourism does not become a political battleground between branches of government, political parties and unions.
Enya Fehler
10 November 2021
You can read more about the Air Services Licencing Council (ASLC) at https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/dots-inaction-delays-job-creation