Corporates applaud success of EcoMobility Festival in Sandton
SANDTON – Corporate companies across the City of Johannesburg have expressed their support for EcoMobility as a sustainable transport solution to decongest the city.
This was at a post EcoMobility Festival Dialogue Breakfast hosted by Johannesburg Executive Mayor Parks Tau, to engage corporate leaders on a way forward after the month-long event that saw some streets in Sandton partially closed to private vehicles.
Ernst & Young chief executive officer Ajen Sita said, “I must applaud the City for having been bold and brought us EcoMobility. It was the first time that I saw and heard people inquire about public transport and routes. This was not only in Joburg, but the idea of EcoMobility spread all over the country. There were people as far as Cape Town and Durban that adopted EcoMobility.”
Sita also outlined interventions his company has already implemented in support of EcoMobility. These included allowing staff to work from anywhere other than the office, flexible hours and a staff shuttle service to move around Sandton.
“In the beginning there was a lot of anxiety,” said Mati Nyazema, Sandton Convention Centre executive director. “But it’s amazing how those who continued with their events as planned, in fact had successful events – contrary to the 30 percent drop in success that was anticipated as a result of the EcoMobility month.”
Nyazema does not want the City to allow people to forget about EcoMobility. “All that is required is to keep communities informed about what it is doing and people are likely to comply unlike when surprised as there is always an element of surprise when one comes to Sandton,” she added.
Nedbank’s Thulani Sibeko said the financial services institution had successfully lobbied its employees to go EcoMobile during the month of October. “The sustainability of EcoMobility is not only the responsibility of the City,” he added. “As tenants in Sandton, there is a lot that we can do to reduce congestion and carbon emissions.”
Among other big corporate businesses at the breakfast that pledged ongoing support to the continuation of EcoMobility. was Discovery and the South African Property Owner’s Association.
Speaking on behalf of Johannesburg Mayor, Parks Tau, spokesperson Phindile Chauke said he welcomes the continued support given by various corporates to ensure that the EcoMobility Festival was a success and that it should be sustained where possible. “The City is set to build on the lessons learnt to consolidate a corporate engagement strategy for a sustainable Joburg,” added Chauke.
Do you think the EcoMobility Festival that took place in Sandton during the month of October was a success or a failure? Share your views with us on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page
