Deputy Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga has singled out the Road Accident Fund (RAF) as a touching example of one of government’s Ubuntu inspired ‘world class’ service delivery instruments. Together with RAF Board Chairperson, Dr Ntuthuko Bhengu, the Deputy Minister led the Fund’s flagship programme ‘RAF on the Road’ at the Estcourt Town Hall on Saturday, June 20, during which over 1200 people were serviced. Throngs of people lined up at the hall as early as 6am to enquire about the status of their claims and register new ones, while others received settlement offers directly.

Speaking at the stakeholder meeting, Deputy Minister Chikunga did not mince words when she expressed her pleasure at how the pride and joy of government – the RAF – was able to take services to more than 53 communities since the programme’s inception in 2012.

“This programme has won hearts, awards locally and has been nominated internationally at the United Nations in the Best Public Service Project in the World category. Simultaneously, it’s crucial that we collectively reduce accidents as the current scheme is overstrained,” she said. According to RAF CEO Dr Eugene Watson: “Every day on our roads more than 40 people die a painful and traumatic death,” a sad indictment of how trivial human life has become.

Mayor of Umtshezi Estcourt Local Municipality, Bongani Dlamini, echoed the sentiments of many stakeholders and cautioned the youth to abstain from reckless behaviour such as tweeting, texting and drinking whilst driving. The loss of future leaders due to fatal crashes is costly on our economy and the country. “We cannot prosper if our youth perish in road accidents,” lamented Mr Dlamini.

The National Youth Development Agency’s Haudin Makuyi was not going to be left behind in the efforts to curb fatalities on the roads amongst the youth when she announced an impending partnership with the RAF, to much acclaim from Dr Bhengu.

The Deputy Minister later echoed their sentiments when she commented: “Our youth ought to make smarter decisions regarding road safety if they want to reach for the stars.” Whilst mobilising the community towards today’s event, RAF representatives met the Zungu family in Mshayazafe. The family had already experienced the RAF’s warmth after being compensated following the tragic death of their sole bread winner.

They lodged their claim directly with the Fund and with the compensation were able to rebuild their lives, build a family home, and put the younger children through school. The family continues to live a positive life through RAF’s assistance. “We are proud that through our intervention we are able to make a difference in people’s lives, bringing back some dignity to orphans and families that we assist,” said Dr Watson.

Despite the current system being unsustainable and unaffordable, the Fund continues to deliver its world-class suite of services to communities countrywide. A proposed new no-fault compensation system, the Road Accident Benefit Scheme, is expected to completely overhaul the current one, and will be based on the principles of social security and social solidarity. It is meant to bring relief and socio-economic balance to families torn apart by road crashes. “RABS will eliminate the inequalities that are part of the legacy of the RAF Act and will make services available to all equally,” said the Deputy Minister.

As part of Youth Month celebrations, the Department of Transport, Road Traffic Inspectorate, SAPS and Estcourt Local Traffic authorities partnered together to raise awareness about the dangers of unrestrained minors and safety on the roads. Four grateful motorists received child-restraint car seats, donated by RAF’s Road Safety unit.