Transport minister outlines SA’s ambitious 2029 road safety and transport targets

Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa arrives at Unisa SBL for the roundtable discussion on the transport economy. Photo: Comfort Makhanya

Ensuring safer roads and a stronger transport network starts with action, and South Africa is shifting into high gear. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has unveiled an ambitious plan to cut road accident fatalities by 45% by 2029, a bold step toward meeting the United Nations’ global target of halving road deaths.

Speaking at the National Press Club’s roundtable discussion on the transport economy, held at Unisa SBL Midrand Campus on October 9 as part of the October transport month launch, Creecy outlined sweeping reforms across logistics, ports, rail, and aviation, aiming to modernise the transport system while protecting lives and boosting efficiency for communities and businesses alike.

“To ensure greater safety on our roads, and to reduce the devastating toll road accidents have on our lives, livelihoods, and the gross domestic product, we aim to reduce road accident fatalities by 45% by 2029.”

South Africa’s transport industry entities’ leaders discuss the country’s transport economy.
Photo: Comfort Makhanya

Joined by Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa and heads of key transport entities, including PRASA Group CEO Hishaam Emeran, SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana, Transnet Group COO Solly Letsoalo, and SAA CEO John Lamola, alongside representatives from Unisa, Creecy emphasised that the prompt execution of logistics and infrastructure reforms is vital to strengthening the transport economy and managing risks in both domestic and global contexts.

“By ensuring prompt execution of reforms in the logistics sector, we can reduce risks present in both our domestic and global environments.”

She revealed that, since she and Hlengwa took office, they had undertaken a five-year strategic planning process to focus the department’s work across its nine branches and 16 entities. This plan outlines six key priorities to be achieved by the end of the seventh administration in 2029.

Among these priorities, Creecy highlighted that by the end of 2029, they aim to transport 250 million tons of freight annually on the Transnet network, as well as enhance the speed of loading and unloading ships in ports, to meet the international benchmark of 30 gross crane moves per hour.

“The third priority is to ensure that our passenger rail system provides safe, reliable, and affordable transport to workers and their families, aiming for 600 million passenger journeys per year by 2030.”

Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy at Unisa SBL during the roundtable discussion on the transport economy.
Photo: Comfort Makhanya

The fourth priority focuses on increasing aviation’s contribution to tourism, economic development, and job creation, targeting 42 million passengers annually through the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) network, and moving 1.2 million tons of air freight each year by the end of her political term.

“I’m pleased to report that we’ve made significant progress in achieving all of these targets in the first year.”

For the original article, visit: https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/news-headlines/local-news/2025/10/17/creecy-charts-safer-road-ahead-for-sa/