Midrand:South Africa continues to lead in Africa and ranks seventh globally for the effectiveness of its civil aviation safety system.

According to South African Government News Agency, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) confirmed South Africa's final safety rating at 94.99%. This acknowledgment by the United Nations' specialized aviation safety agency underscores the robustness of the nation's aviation safety oversight system.

The announcement was made during the launch of Transport Month, themed 'Building a safe, sustainable, reliable and affordable transport system,' marking 21 years since its inception in 2005.

To adapt to rapid advancements in digital technology and artificial intelligence, the government plans to establish a Transport Digital Authority. This new body will focus on developing an integrated digital transport platform for online permitting services. Upcoming initiatives include launching online registration for e-hailing vehicle owners and drivers in November, digitizing Flight Operator Permits by December, and expediting a new online licensing system to alleviate taxi operator renewal backlogs.

Transport Minister Creecy also highlighted the significant investment by the National Roads Agency (SANRAL) in public infrastructure projects, which are expected to create over 35,000 jobs and support more than 2,000 small enterprises. Major projects include the upgrading of the Moloto Road corridor, improvements to the N2 and N1 highways, and enhancing flood resilience on roads in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

In response to recent legal challenges, SANRAL will discontinue pre-selected panels for road-maintenance tenders, opting for open, route-by-route tendering to foster wider participation and competition. Governance has been reinforced with independent specialists joining SANRAL's audit and infrastructure committees.