Formed with the sole purpose of protecting school children who use scholar transport is the Springs Education Transport Association (SETA), an organisation that aims to improve road safety and encourage digitization.
The SETA was established in April 2024 after the executive board identified gaps in the transportation sector, particularly in compliance among school transport operators.
Amos Mahlangu shared with Ekurhuleni News that SETA originated from the Gauteng Education Transport Co-ordinates, based in Johannesburg.
“As time went by, it was decided to create a regional structure that would report to the provincial structure. Democratic elections were held, and we moved down to Ekurhuleni, forming the Ekurhuleni Regional Transport Services (ERTS). From there, we moved to associations and created a new name for Springs, initially abbreviated as FERETS, ‘Far East Rand Education Transport Association.’
“We later realised that this name didn’t explain to others, especially the register’s office, that it referred to Springs. So, we came up with the name SETA, Springs Education Transport Association, which was approved in 2024,” Mahlangu explained.
The organisation comprised of 10 members namely, Mr J.P Hadebe who is the chairperson,Mrs T. Mbatha the Deputy chairperson, Mr A.J Mahlangu who is the Secretary, Ms B. Shongwe the Deputy Secretary, Mr C. Mashiyane, Mr J Makhanya, Mr F. Mashaba, Mr DV Motau, Mr P. Mbuyisa,and Mr Makwela who deals with Marketing.
Busisiwe Shongwe, the Deputy Secretary, encourages school transport drivers to participate in the region’s digitalisation programme, which aims to include all school transport drivers in the Department of Education’s database.
“This will link car registrations with the schools, helping improve the safety of learners,” said Shongwe. “To get digitalised, transport operators need to submit their car papers, ID copies, driver’s license, PDP, and an association letter. We urge all operators not yet registered to comply with the law.”
Jabulani Radebe, the Chairperson, expressed concerns about non-compliant operators who transport children without permits or in unroadworthy vehicles.
“We want compliance, order, and control because some cars transporting children are not from the region. We also face problems with private cars disturbing our operations. That’s why we need all school transports registered under our association,” Radebe stated.
Radebe also urged assistance from the Department of Roads and Transport and the police to help enforce compliance, prevent child trafficking, and reduce the number of missing children cases. He emphasized that taxis should only pick up children from public roads or taxi ranks unless they have a permit for school pickups.
Kgomotso Makwela, the association’s Health and Welfare Officer, echoed the importance of registering school transport vehicles to prevent issues like child trafficking and ensure that only authorised operators transport learners.
Parents, Makwela added, should be proactive by asking transport drivers important questions such as, “Is the car registered with the association, and where can I report any issues?”
He also warned against the use of private vehicles or Ubers, as these modes of transport are not legally allowed to provide scholar services. Only seven-seater or larger vehicles should be used for transporting schoolchildren.
Concluding the discussion, Thembi Mbatha, the Deputy Chairperson, spoke about the advantages of using registered scholar transport.
“With registered transport, you know your child is safe. You can contact the driver if something goes wrong, and you can rest assured your child will get to school on time. In these difficult times, when children are easily abducted, we encourage parents to ensure that school transport drivers comply with the law,” Mbatha stated.
On August 13, 2024, SETA held elections and elected a new executive committee, which now includes the following members:
1. *Chairperson*: Mr. J.P. Hadebe
2. *Deputy Chairperson*: Ms. B. Shongwe
3. *Secretary*: Mr. R. Maqabe
4. *Deputy Secretary*: Ms. L. Mokwatlo
5. *Treasurer*: Mr. A. Mahlangu
6. *P.R.O.*: Mr. V. Motau
7. *Training Officer*: Mr. F. Mashaba
8. *Grievance Officer*: Mr. V. Makhanya
9. *Disciplinary Officer*: Mr. C. Mashiane
Scholar transport operators can register their vehicles with SETA by visiting their office at the Bophelong Centre, building 56, office 211 (opposite Fair Price).
By Sibongile Sokela
