WHAT do you think is the key attribute a leader should possess? There is no one easy answer. But I like this answer from Dr Peter Cammock, senior lecturer in Organisational Leadership and Development at University of Canterbury, Australia when he suggested that “leadership is a dance… leaders and followers jointly respond to the rhythm and call of a particular context, within which leaders draw from deep wells of collective experience and energy, to engage followers around transforming visions of change and lead them in the collective creation of a compelling future”.
Indeed, “leadership is a dance”. For me one of the most important traits of a leader is to draw everyone into discussing how to solve a joint problem and then listen to what is being said. Then if an effective decision doesn’t naturally arise, the leader needs to take the high ground and make a clear decision for the group, while at the same time acknowledging their input. Gauteng Premier David Makhura has done exactly that.
Public outcry
In direct response to the public outcry on e-tolls, Makhura has led us “into the collective creation of compelling future” by establishing an advisory panel in July 2014 to conduct a comprehensive socio-economic impact assessment of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and the e-tolls.
Among the panel’s more than 50 recommendations were that elements of the current e-toll system had to be reviewed to address the questions of affordability, equity, fairness, administrative simplicity and sustainability.
The advisory panel revealed an important lesson that the government had to consult meaningfully with the public before making major policy decisions that impact on their lives.
Under the leadership of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, provincial government has worked with the national government to consider all the recommendations and their full implications, including the best funding model for the GFIP.
Lest we forget, leadership gurus also teach us that a leader must take a look at their decision making. After all, even the best laid plans will fail to achieve their goals due to changing situations. When this happens, does a leader identify what needs to be done that isn’t getting done and make the hard decision to go for it?
Hard decisions
The province and national government have made hard decisions, particularly because everyone agrees that the implementation of the GFIP has benefited the economy and the people of our province in various ways namely better quality road system; reduced travel time; improved fuel efficiency; reduced vehicle operating costs; and improved logistics efficiencies for business.
When the provincial and national government heard the criticism that in its current form, the e-toll system is unaffordable and inequitable and places a disproportionate burden on low and middle income households, that it is also administratively too cumbersome, the hard decision was how do we do it in a way that doesn’t punish our economy? How do we do it without negatively impacting on the aspect of doing business and living (in Gauteng) or driving investors out of the province?
The new dispensation announced by the deputy president last week responds directly to the negative impacts identified by the advisory panel.
There is now an almost 50 percent reduced tariff for all motorists, regardless of whether one has an e-tag or not. If a motorist is an infrequent user and goes under fewer than 30 gantries a year, there will be no charge. The monthly cap for small motor vehicles has been reduced by 50 percent to R225.
All these changes directly respond to the panel’s recommendation of a hybrid model made up of contributions by the national government and the provincial government and a contribution by the users through much simpler and more affordable and equitable e-tolls.
Public transport vehicles (buses and taxis) that have valid permits will remain exempted. Motorists no longer need to purchase e-tags in order to benefit from the lower tariffs.
Everyone gets the same deal regardless of whether they have an e-tag or not. Motorists with outstanding bills will get a 60 percent discount if the bills are settled within six months.
There will be more options for payment of e-toll accounts including online or at post offices, provincial licensing offices, some retailers and vehicle dealerships.
Since the new dispensation was announced there were outcries by those who feel the new dispensation should have excluded a direct user charge administered through the e-tolls. Some have complained about proposed compliance measures linked to motor vehicle licence renewal.
The development of a better road network is essential if our country’s economic performance is to improve markedly. Good roads help usher in optimism and prosperity.
Prosperity
There can be little doubt that a better road network would generate greater prosperity.
With roads accounting for the higher percentage of all travel and freight movement, the development of a better road network is vital to boosting trade and for increasing access from the urban to rural areas.
The economic and infrastructural development of our province and country is every person’s effort. Without mutual accountability, our chances of success as a nation decline dramatically.
We understand that mutual accountability develops only if there is a common goal and as province and nation respect the significance of each person’s role in achieving that goal of building a prosperous nation.
Premier Makhura has kept his commitment to the people of Gauteng, firstly by appointing the advisory panel; secondly by accepting the finding and acting on the recommendations; and lastly by engaging with the national government to mitigate the negative impacts of the e-tolls.
Panyaza Lesufi is the Gauteng MEC for Education. He serves in the political committee on e-tolls.