Author:sharmini-naidoo

Another difficult year for the bus industry looms February 24, 2025 Sharmini Naidoo writes that although Brand South Africa has heralded 2025 as “South Africa’s year of transformation and global leadership”, more challenges await the bus industry this year. This year, South Africa assumes the G20 presidency and will showcase its progress at the World Economic Forum. “The year ahead marks a defining moment in the nation’s trajectory as it seeks to lead transformative dialogues and create pathways for progress… […]

2025: expansion, hope, and the new January 14, 2025 Whether you believe in any of this year’s predictions does not matter; they may still influence the choices and decisions we make as we seek to carve our destiny, writes SHARMINI NAIDOO.  Mathematically, 2025 is a perfect square, as 45 x 45 = 2,025. Perfect square years are rare occurrences that carry deep spiritual and cosmic significance, and previous examples like 1936, 1849, 1600, and 1225 saw lots of social and […]

Will it ever be a government by the people, for the people? December 10, 2024 South Africa’s democracy was built on the promise of transparency, accountability, and public participation. Former President Nelson Mandela’s words during the adoption of the Constitution in 1996 echoed this hope for a government that truly serves its people. Yet, decades later, we are left to ask: “Is this promise being fulfilled?” SHARMINI NAIDOO takes a deep dive into the role of public participation in governance, […]

Good parenting means setting aside differences November 5, 2024 In recent years, the South African government has faced numerous economic challenges, including balancing budget constraints with the need for inclusive development and effective public transport systems. SHARMINI NAIDOO points out that a balanced investment in all modes of transport is vital. Leadership is defined as a person’s ability to motivate those around them toward a shared vision. It involves a form of power that enables one to influence the values, […]

People to see and places to be… October 1, 2024 What exactly does transport mean for humankind? SHARMINI NAIDOO explains that we don’t use transport for the fun of it, but because “we’ve got people to see and places to be”! The main purpose of transportation has been defined as “connecting people to destinations they value”. It is an essential component of a functioning society and plays a vital role in the development, communication, and coordination of all sectors of […]

Let there be light September 17, 2024 According to Genesis 1.3, in the beginning “God said, ‘let there be light,’ and there was light”. although nothing nearly as spiritual as that, we have now had over 150 days without loadshedding… could this be a sign of brighter days ahead? SHARMINI NAIDOO sure hopes so! Loadshedding was suspended in July this year due to steady ongoing improvement in the reliability of the power utility’s generation fleet, which led to sustained generation performance. […]

Dividing the pie August 5, 2024 The establishment of South Africa’s Government of National Unity has seen the appointment of some new government ministers, while the Climate Change Act has been signed and there’s massive uncertainty when it comes to B-BBEE, writes SHARMINI NAIDOO. In the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa: “In the spirit of partnership and collaboration, the incoming government will work together with other formations to convene a National Dialogue. All parties, civil society groups, labour, business, and […]

Democracy is not a spectator sport… July 22, 2024 The well-known quote by Michael Moore on democracy that was adapted by former President Nelson Mandela reminds us that “democracy is not a spectator sport; it requires the active participation of the people to flourish”… and, writes SHARMINI NAIDOO, my oh my have the people participated! In the words of Cyril Ramaphosa: “In their multitude, in voices that are many and diverse, the people of South Africa have voted and made […]

Elections done and dusted: what now? June 4, 2024 The elections are done and dusted and many South Africans are probably heaving a sigh of relief… but what does the future hold? SHARMINI NAIDOO says that many challenges lie ahead – not least of all for the bus and coach sector.  Martin Luther King, activist, and political philosopher and one of the most prominent leaders in the US civil rights movement, said that “a riot is the language of the […]

Bus industry B-BBEE stalemate May 21, 2024 SHARMINI NAIDOO writes that the bus industry is experiencing little good news, considerable uncertainty, and much frustration when it comes to B-BBEE. April was an extremely busy month for the transport industry and its politicians. Numerous events were scheduled and crammed into the diary with election day approaching. We had the transport summit for universal access on 25 and 26 April; an engagement with the Deputy Minister, Lisa Mangcu, on 26 April; and […]