Where is the abnormal industry heading?

It is heading towards being a more professional and specialised industry, according to Swanepoel. “It is also going to be strictly controlled and managed by the road traffic act (RTA) and regulations - in conjunction with a new TRH11. And these new guidelines should see the light of day within the next few months.” A major part of its battle for survival has been with government and provincial authorities, who, according to Swanepoel, have added tedious limitations on the operators’ business freedom. “Due to the many restrictions,” he said, “this industry has been involved in numerous head-on collisions with the DoT and the provinces for the relaxation of specific issues such as: Weekend travel, minimising of embargo days, and optimisation of equipment to the maximum capacity.” It has also had to prove itself willing to government to be able to look after its own affairs. Many of the role players in the industry have been jacking up their operations to improve equipment and to clean up their act, according to Swanepoel. “Through this,” he added, “the industry would like to show the DoT that it is willing to participate in the process to improve its internal standards - hoping that this will facilitate the negotiations around the table to relax the issues which concern us.