The quality learning and teaching campaign drives tough conversations with stakeholders on learner transport safety
With learner safety at stake, QLTC brought together key transport stakeholders from Midrand and Region A to push for accountability, compliance, and collaboration at Bonwelong Primary School.
The quality learning and teaching campaign (QLTC) circuit 3 hosted a stakeholder engagement meeting on February 7 at Bonwelong Primary School, focusing on learner transport safety.
Recognising the urgent need for collaboration among key stakeholders, QLTC convened this meeting to implement precautionary measures that will effectively address the alarming rise in learner transport incidents.
Read more: SA provincial governments go zero-tolerance on unsafe learner transport
This urgent gathering follows the tragic Vaal scholar transport crash on January 19 in Vanderbijlpark, which claimed the lives of 14 learners and has heightened demands for stringent transport regulations in South Africa.
As of January 2026, MECs and transport departments are steadfast in their zero-tolerance approach, vowing to impound unroadworthy vehicles and arrest drivers lacking valid licenses and professional driving permits (PrDPs).
Magrieta Makhafola, from the Midrand Learners Transport Association, stated the challenges faced by transport associations, highlighting that while they strive to comply with the law, many drivers, including those in e-hailing, struggle to obtain permits on time.
Makhafola emphasised the importance of establishing relationships with schools and their school governing bodies (SGBs). “Building connections with the SGBs is crucial. They need to understand what happens with learners after school – how they get home and which mode of transport they use. Parents often prefer taxis due to cost concerns, and associations need to help bridge this gap.”
Also read: Transport department sets bold target to cut road fatalities by 45% by 2029
The meeting also featured attendees such as Mudwa Khumalo, from Thembisa Stakeholder, QLTC’s Develd Monyai, Nomaswazi Mhlanga, Mikie Dlova, and Royal House’s Delisa Masiveza, as well as community activists and representatives from the City of Johannesburg’s sports and recreation department.
Several critical points were addressed, including driver behaviour, the need for parents to meet with transport operators, issues surrounding the perceived high cost of school transport, expedited permit acquisition for drivers, and the necessity of thorough vetting for drivers and patrollers, among others.
Grab a copy of the Midrand Reporter for more insights on the meeting.
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