President Jacob Zuma used his State of the Nation address to highlight the current tumult surrounding the new bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Johannesburg and said discussions will resume next week.

The minibus taxi industry has been up in arms over the implementation of the government’s BRT plans, which it says it has not been consulted about. Before the April elections, Zuma promised a meeting of taxi owners that he would delay plans until after the elections.

“We undertook to allow more time to deal properly with the concerns of the industry. On the 11th of June the Minister of Transport will resume discussions with the industry,” said Zuma in his address.

He added that the meeting would be the starting point for a series of engagements with the stakeholders affected by the BRT system.

“We are confident that unresolved issues will be dealt with to the satisfaction of all parties.
This will include the important issue of how all stakeholders will benefit from the initiative,” said Zuma.