Barbara Creecy

thumb|Creecy (with her successor Panyaza Lesufi) accepting the United Nations Public Service Award in Seoul, Korea in June 2014. Barbara Creecy (born 17 June 1958) is a South African politician and former anti-apartheid activist who has been the Minister of Transport since July 2024. She was formerly the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries between 2019 and 2024. She is a member of the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee of the African National Congress (ANC). Quotes In 2013, our passenger rail system facilitated 600 million passenger journeys annually. Currently, we’ve recovered 31 priority lines and over 200 stations, but we’re only achieving 40 million passenger journeys a year. This impacts the poorer segments of our population, many of whom cannot afford minibus taxis. Consequently, about 20% of the working population walks to work—not out of choice, but necessity. Revitalizing the rail system is essential to support this demographic, with a goal to return to 600 million passenger journeys annually. On the freight side, rail and port systems transported 220 million tons of freight from 2017 to 2018. Last year, this figure dropped to 149 million tons, shifting the burden onto roads. This has three major consequences: higher costs for transporting goods, degradation of road infrastructure, and reduced competitiveness for South African exports. Over the next five years, we aim to increase freight transport to 220 million tons, with a stretch goal of 250 million tons. Our strategy includes the Transnet Recovery Program, which addresses infrastructure, security, and rolling stock issues. This year, we aim to increase freight transport to 164 million tons, targeting 190 million tons next year. Achieving 220–250 million tons will require private sector participation, and by 2025, the Private Sector Participation Unit within the Development Bank of South Africa will be operational. This unit will focus on ensuring financial close for bids, drawing on lessons learned from private participation in energy generation. to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures that prevent pollution and environmental degradation; promote conservation; and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.” Minister Barbara Creecy: Custodians of Professional hunting and conservation annual general meeting 24 November 2021 “But all is not yet lost. There is still time to take decisive action to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and to adapt to a warmer climate.” Debate on State of the Nation Address. South African Government, 18 February 2020. I am delighted today to introduce myself as your brand new Minister and Patron of this important event. We are standing at the crossroads of opportunity and transformation for the rail industry in our region We must also be brutally honest about the fact that we have a lot of work to do. A healthy transport sector is the lifeblood of a vibrant economy. External links Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:Women politicians Category:Politicians from South Africa Category:Government ministers Category:Women activists Category:Anti-apartheid activists Category:Civil rights activists Category:People from Johannesburg