Driver 35 aug

Go ahead, tip yourself

IDEAL for the driver who wants to work for that baddest (and nicest) of bosses - himself.

Hino has expanded the 300-Series truck range, all models coming with a sixspeed auto and some with a crewcab.

Vice President of Hino SA Ernie Trautmann said extensive market research with both dealers and customers preceded the decision and show a need for more crew cab bodies and the option of automatic transmission, “Trucks fitted with the smooth-shifting, six-speed automatic transmission designed, developed and manufactured by Hino are finding increasing favour with operators as they are easy-to-drive thereby reducing driver fatigues and cut maintenance costs. This is the ideal solution for owner drivers of which there are a fair number in this market segment,� he added.

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News delivered by drivers to drivers working across southern Africa

Nr 35, August 201 5

'Tractors will always need drivers' TRACTOR drivers do not get the recognition (or the pay) they deserve, despite also driving million-rand rig for long hours.

Except here in The Driver, of course, where we this month sing the praises of the men who plant and harvest the cereals that feed the nation.

Thulani Mzimande and Jabulani Mncwabe are two such top tractor drivers at the Baynesfield Estate in KwaZulu-Natal. They recently took delivery of the biggest green and yellow tractor yet on the farm that also hosts Zakhele Agricultural school.

MidlandsMidlands branch manager for Mascor, said the John Deere is an 8-series, 245horsepower tractor that is luxury-specced and can be precisely steered using a Global Positioning System. But it is not the largest tractor operating in KZN, as several local farmers are investing in fewer but giant units that can pull huge implements to do more in less time. These farrmers also rent time on John Deere's Real Time Kinetic towers, which enable the tractors to be positioned to three

Top tractor drivers Thulani Mzimande and Jabulani Mncwabe look at the largest tractor they will operate, at the Baynesfield Estate in KwaZulu-Natal.

Photo: Alwyn Viljoen

levels of accuracy, from about 30cm down to just 2 cm. Like Mercedes-Benz trucks, these John Deere tractors can steer and even turn themselves, but John Deere salesmen don't see their green tractors leaving the shed without an operator on board for many decades yet.

Brian Bennet, Midlands branch

manager for Mascor told The Driver he predicts that tractors will in fact always need operators.

With tractors leading trucks in automotive steering, this is reassuring news, as it implies trucks will also always need at least a minder, if not a driver to make sure things go right.

Tractor fair

Drivers who like their machines big will have fun at the Baynesfield Estate's next tractor fair on September 26 to 27.

Modern tractors like this will be demonstrated alongside ancient steam tractors and other agricultural self-propel-

Different strokes for different taxis bosses in KZN WILLIES Mchunu, KwaZuluNatal MEC for Transport, Safety and Community Liaison delcared war on illegal operators and the security companies protecting them.

Mchunu this month told the KZN Legislature’s transport portfolio committee blamed the Maphumulo taxi association on the north coast for instigating taxi attacks on routes throughout the province.

He told the committee he believes someone is managing this taxi violence and strategically instigating it where it is necessary. There is a grouping we think is responsible for manipulating this who have always had direct and indirect links to the industry. At the present moment it seems they sit and plan with others and unleash [the violence]. But we are dealing with it,” Mchunu told the portfolio committee.

The latest attacks comes as memories of taxi rank battles earlier this year in Newcastle and Port Shepstone is still simmering; and taxi bosses in Gauteng are holding a very loose reign on the intimidators who shot at the Autopax buses operating in Mamelodi last month.

Mchunu said his department

Page 2, August 2015

In Durbs, meanwhile...

Mchunu was less outspoken on the what he called a “new problem” in eThekwini, where the Sonke Long Distance Association, headed by Mfundo Gcaba, have staged a hostile taxi route and rank takeover on the South Coast.

For those who don't know the Gcaba brothers, one of their clan uncles is Jacob Zuma, who will remain the president of South Africa as long as he can rely on the influence of these nephews.

Reports are that nephew Will the doves of peace ever fly over our volatile taxi ranks?

Mfundo had “annexed” routes Photo: Lebohang Moshiloane/Times Live in Highflats, Umzimkhulu, did not believe the trouble on Mchunu said the war in the Ixopo, Umzinto and Jolivet.

Mchunu said “imposing of north coast stemmed from turf Maphumulo association was some taxi associations onto wars with assosiations in between legal and illegal neighbouring KwaDukuza operators, who battled over others” was illegal and that the Mandeni and the Dolphin who get to collect the money. department of transport would meet with the relevant taxi Coast Security companies, often bosses to “engage them on armed, provide “The real problem is heavily their wrongfulness”. protection at taxi ranks. within the Maphumulo “Associations have taxi association. The tendencies of bringing in their Editor's comment: Gcaba brothers run the cabinet has approved own security and they take The public buses and taxis that move over the rank.

So if someone the use of extensive people, mostly else wants to topple the one KwaZulu-Natal's in relative safety. Their operaintelligence-led law association for control of the have been accused ofnot enforcement... Cabinet same rank they bring their tions paying drivers on time and own security and then a war raiding eThekwini's coffers, but has resolved that if out.” without the Gcabas, KZN stops, there is nothing that is breaks He said the ranks belong to so expect Mchunu to be VERY helping we must close municipalities and that they gentle indeed when he raps over the knuckles what is KZN's real the routes and the must take control of them, (and much more effective) including ensuring good ranks.” government. security.

“The second best travel advice is to make your bed before it is night. ” – Alwyn Viljoen,

One of several Go George buses allegedly set on fire by local taxi operators in the Western Cape.

Photo: @wervermaak

Taxis gatvol vir buste

ALMAL vertel mens moet die tuinroete gat kyk, maar die maand is nie goeie tye da' voor nie.

Die taximanne is gatvol vir Go George, want hulle meen die busdiens vat die arme taximanne se gelle; toe brand van hulle daai buste.

Nou laaik g'n busdrywer dat jy sy job so vat nie en toe die baklei oorspoel tot in George se kern en die N2, meen die polisie 'enuff' en hulle stop 'n paar brandstigter-suspects in die tjoekie.

Nou sta' die officers so met een hand liggies op die pistol grip die protestors en monitor wyl almal in die dorps se transport sektor mekaar met dik bakkies sta' en gluur.

Go Georgse Edwards-Klose vertel daar is niks passengers gehurt nie, maar die Go George busdiens gat nie weer loep tot lat die situation gestabilise issie .

Cornelius Esau van die George Taxi Association vertel die plek is steeds 'n powder keg, met sporadic shooting between the community and taxi people, maar hulle traai hart om almal te kalm. -- WesKaap Korrespondent.

SMS your news from the taxi ranks

to us on 0730624674

Healthier nuts are now holding the wheel

N e ws o f wei rd er wh eel s

JAPAN’s Cocoa Motors will take pre-orders for what it claims to be the world’s smallest electric vehicle, on Kickstarter from October.

The Tokyo-based company invited test rides last month on what it described as an A4sized electric car, but what we call a sawn-off electric skateboard.Officially, this tray on wheels is called the WalkCar. To ride it, the driver slips the WalkCar out of the bag, places it on the ground, steps onto it and leans.

In Egoli, meanwhile the VW Beetle is making a comeback among the amagents.

Seen here at Cars in the Park hosted at the Zwartkops Raceway are Beetle Bafanas Khume Mtshweni, Sihle Dube and Mpho Moeketsi, who each repaired their own Beetle.

WITH on average 12 000 truck drivers trucks using the N3 each day of the week, all of us who drive the route say sibongile to fleet operators who keep their drivers and trucks in the best health.

This includes the nurses and mechanics, and the control room staff who let us know there is someone in the control room keeping us company on the long ride.

One such fleet operator is Aspen Logistics, which this month hosted their first drivers’ wellness day with Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s Trucking Wellness Programme.

The group runs a fleet of Freighliner truck tractors, mostly pulling reefers that can be recognised by the blue and white snowcovered mountains on the side.

MD of the company, Dr Sujen Padayatchi, said the company already offers tailored health insurance and eye-testing at its head quarters in Germiston, but in partnering with the Trucking Wellness Programme, sponsored by MercedesBenz, the group could now take another step towards becoming an ISO listed company, offering an holistic

The grease doctors who keep Aspen Logistic's trucks in good health: (from left) Lister, Hector, Mboisene, Philhle, Jan, Thabo, Joe, Nkopadi, Gideon, Foster, Michael, and Elson.

(Inset) Father and son team Radha and dr Sujen Padayatchi.

approach to employee health and wellness, based on a proven model.

Padayatchi qualified as a medical doctor in the UK before returning to South Africa to become involved in the transport business started by his father, Radha Padayatchi.

With his medical background he is almost fanatical about maintaining the cold chain to combat bacteria in the group’s fleet of refrigerated trucks that

transport perishable foods overnight.

In this battle, Padayatchi said healthy drivers were the critical factor.

“We salute our drivers, they are the heroes who make it happen.”

The Trucking Wellness Programme (initially Trucking Against Aids) is managed by Corridor Empowerment Project and was launched by the Road Freight Indus-

Photo: Supplied try in 1999 to create and a 34% increase in HIV, Aids and STI drivers and sex workers awareness among long- seeking treatment. distance truck drivers, Nurses Portia Mbatha commercial sex workers and Sibongile Nala told and the vulnerable The Driver this means communities around they can now focus on truck stops. other diseases that Michelle Woods told impact drivers. like Wheels last year saw diabetes, high 41 000 drivers and cholesterol and blood women at risk assessed. pressure, before HIV Since 1999 HIV and TB. infections decreased from 20% to the current • Contact Michelle 8,9% of drivers tested. Woods at info@ There has also been a truckingwellness.co.za 25% drop in sexually for more information. transmitted infections -- Egoli Correspondent

“Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the man busy doing it. ” ~ Chinese proverb

Page 3, August 2015

Get ready for amateur drivers USA owner-drivers sleep kakhulu nice ARE you ready for the holiday drivers over the long weekends?

Find out with this quiz.

c. Less fuel than either a or b

1 0. Underinflated tyres touch the road:

a. Evenly across the tyre b. In the centre of the tread c. Mostly on the edges of the tread

11 . You should remove unnecessary weight, like roof racks, so that your car will:

AMERICA's trucking system has a few owner drivers who 6. What is the most invest many dollars to make a.

Look nicer responsible thing to do b. Go faster a. 3 seconds their rigs nicer than most of our with your cellphone b. 4 car lengths homes in South Africa. c.

Save more fuel while driving? c. 5 arrows 1 2.

What are the three The best custom cabins -- or 2 Who needs to wear a a. Put it where it will not most common causes 'Integrated sleepers' as the distract you seatbelt? of fatal car crashes: Yanks call them -- are currently b. Use a hands free or a. Only the driver a. Poor vehicle designed by Bolt Custom blue tooth kit b. Only the front seats reckless Trucks in Fort Wayne, which c. Only check it at traffic maintenance, c. Everyone in the car driving and rain lights has a history spanning two 3. What is the legal b.

Drunk driving, 7. The lower your revs, speeding and driver blood alcohol limit in company name changes. They beer with a 5% alcohol the more fuel you save, distraction make both integrated and boltso change gears con-tent for Prdp on cabs. The Bolt-On cabs c.

Disobeying rules of the between: drivers? connect with a rubber boot to road, night driving and a. 1 500 and 2000rp/m a. 2 beers young drivers the truck cab and has proven b. 2000 and 2500rp/m b 2/3 of a beer to be a successful design in c. 2500 and 3500rp/m c. ½ of a beer Results: the industry for over twenty 4. What is the best way 8. Anticipate traffic If you have 1 0 and 1 2 years. They say theirs is the to reduce blind spots? light changes to correct, you are best aluminum construction a. Reduce the amount of answers a. Do not change lanes times you stop your car a MasterDriver. Keep system for both the exterior unless you have to b. Adjust your review and b. Get through the amber setting the standard! shell and the interior cabinetry.

7-9 answers correct: light before it turns red side mirrors for optimal CEO Brian Callan says each Your theory is OK but c. To avoid window vision sleeper typically contains a remember all those c. Just glance over your washers shower and toilet, a fridge and 9. An engine that idles holiday drivers may shoulder feezer, a microwave, a single 5. What is the best way for three minutes uses: requre you to have plate cooktop, a flat screen TV a. More fuel than what it lightning-fast reaction to arrive at your withh a DVD player, a basin destina-tion stress free would take to switch off skills. There is no room with hot and cold water. and start the car again and on time? for uncertainty.

Their designs can be fitted to b. The same amount of a. Use a GPS 6 or less correct: Red fuel as it would take to b. Drive in the fast lane Alert! Call MasterDrive. Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterdrive 1 km at 50km/h c. Plan your route and bilt and Volvo truck tractors. on 011 867 4778.

-- USA correspondent.

Answers : 1 a, 2 c, 3 b, 4 b, 5 c, 6 a, 7 b, 8 a, 9 b, 1 0 c, 11 c, 1 2 b

1 . What is a safe follow-ing distance?

Page 4, August 2015

leave well in advance

“Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue . ” ~ Unknown