Utilising Excess Minibus-taxi Capacity for South African Townships Tours

Abstract

This paper proposes an option for the utilisation of excess off-peak capacity of mlnlbus-taxis In South Africa for townshlp tours. The minibustaxi system typically faces steep peak loads during rush hours with excess vehicle and person capacity available during off-hours. The advantages of the proposed system Include increased direct and indirect Income for townshlp residents, higher utlllsatlon of scarce capital goods and publicity for industries in the periphery of mainstream tourism. The paper discusses the social and physical environment in South Africa and in particular in the townships. It analyses the changing transport sector of South Africa and then addresses six key issues in the development of an employment-focused township tour system: the market, the minibus-taxi operators, the critical stakeholders, ethics. the organisational structures and the financial feaslbllity. The proposed concept Is used for an implementation In Ivory Park, a relatively large townshlp north of Johannesburg.Keywords: community-based tourism. South Africa, employment creation, township.Sebastlaan Rletjens completed his MSc In Civil Engineering and Management at the Universlty of Twente, the Netherlands, during which he gained field experience In Laos and South Africa. As a PhD researcher he Is currently Involved in a research project on civilmilitary cooperation in peace support operations. At the Universlty of Twente and the Royal Netherlands Military Academy, Sebastiaan teaches courses on inter alla ernpioymentbased civil engineering and cultural differences.Collins Makoriwa is currently completing his PhD thesis on measuring transport network performance at the faculty of Clvll Engineering at the University of Twente, the Netherlands. Collins has many years ot working expe rience In several African and Asian countrles on developing projects. He supervises several Master students In thelr research projects.Sirp de Boer Is Associate Protessor in lnternational Management at the University of Twente, the Netherlands. His practical experience includes a total of eight years of involvement In development projects In a considerable number of emerging and developing countrles. His teaching focuses on country (culture) and sector characteristics, as well as thelr implications for management of organizations. His own research focuses on management of internatlonal technology transter.