Public Transport Month can help society deal with its divided past, says Rehana Moosajee, member of mayoral committee for transport (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)

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A 1930s Chevrolet Master Sedan and a 1970s Valiant Regal

A rickshaw used to transport people and goods in the 1800s

On a 1800s rickshaw: Junior Mayor Thandeka Shongwe and alongside the managing director of the Johannesburg Roads Agency, Duduzile Maseko (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)

History of transport explored Transport in the struggle, which looks at the history of transport in Johannesburg, is another Public Transport Month initiative. October 10, 2007 By George Matlala IT'S difficult to imagine, but there was once a time when Joburg's roads were not jammed with minibus taxis. Now, an exhibition titled Transport in the struggle, goes back to the day when they first took to the city streets. Looking at the history of transport: mayoral committee member for transport, Rehana Moosajee, and the junior mayor Thandeka Shongwe at the Sci Bono exhibition (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg) The exhibition is on at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown until 27 October 2007. The exhibition is on at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown. It was commissioned by the City's transport department and captures the history of transport in Johannesburg and the role it played during apartheid days. It is one of a range of activities the City has scheduled to observe Public Transport Month, when people are encouraged to use public transport in an effort to fight global warming and cut congestion. Transport in the struggle shows how the sector has changed through time: from the days of animal-drawn carts, to trams and then minibuses. Various modes of transport, including the Valiant Regal - once the most popular taxi - are on show. The history of the Public Utility Transport Corporation, or Putco, the South African Black Taxi Association and how people used public transport to raise their concerns, are included. The member of the mayoral committee for transport, Rehana Moosajee, said her department had commissioned the exhibition to encourage people to talk about their past experiences of public transport. Speaking at its launch on Tuesday, 9 October, Moosajee said, "We can't pretend we don't have history." Public Transport Month could be used to help society deal with its divided past, she said, remembering the days when black and white people could not share public transport. "Whites were also deprived of an opportunity to interact with black people." The exhibition was a healing experience. Public transport played an important role in shaping people's consciousness. Using Mahatma Gandhi's train incident as an example, Moosajee said that Gandhi was arrested for riding in a coach reserved for whites only. "Their experiences made them take action against oppression." The City was planning its public transport system in such a way that mistakes made in the past were not repeated. Saying that inequalities in public transport could not continue, Moosajee noted that public transport should cater for people from all walks of life. Junior Mayor Thandeka Shongwe and Duduzile Maseko, the managing director of the Johannesburg Roads Agency, were also at the event. Shongwe said transport was an important part of society. "Both public and private transport have helped to structure the city and have contributed significantly to developing and sustaining its economy." The 2010 Fifa World Cup™ had put public transport under a spotlight and billions of rand was being spent to upgrade transport infrastructure. "I have full confidence that come 2010, South Africa will astound the world and deliver the best World Cup." Johannesburg was committed to providing a safe and affordable transport system. Its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which is part of the Rea Vaya strategy, would offer improved public transport for 2010 and beyond. Opening the Transport in the Stuggle exhibition: Rehana Moosajee, member of the mayoral committee for transport; Mirriam Ramafola, councillor for ward 11; Gloria Moleta, PR councillor; and Mandla Mtshali, councillor for ward 19 (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg) "This system will offer a sophisticated and cosmopolitan public transport [service] that will integrate feeder vehicles, pedestrian corridors, bicycles, metered taxis and private cars," she added. BRT would reduce exhaust emissions and road accidents. It would also use smart cards for tickets. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za