Update on TransKalahari Corridor

The Trans Kalahari corridor connects the three highways of the Republic of Botswana, Republic of Namibia and Republic of South Africa. The corridor commences from the port of Walvis Bay runs through Okahandja, Windhoek, Gobabis and Trans Kalahari Border post in Namibia via Mamuno Border post, Kang, Jwaneng, Kanye, Lobatse and Pioneer Gate in Botswana and through Rustenburg (North West Province to Pretoria into the industrial province of greater Gauteng in South Africa.

Compared to the route passing through southern Namibia via Upington to Gauteng Province in South Africa, the TKC cuts the distance by 400 kilometres making it a direct route. The direct route also connects the port of Walvis Bay on the west coast to Maputo on the east coast forming a coast-to-coast (C- 2-C) regional route.

Following the successful construction of interlinked highways full usage of the route became a challenge prompting the TKC Government to commission an inspection to establish the full extent of such challenges and to recommend measures to make it competitive.

The inspection undertook a full tour of the corridor commencing in Pretoria, through Lobatse/Gaborone in Botswana to Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The recommendation of the inspection team led to the establishment of a Trans Kalahari forum which was mandated to develop and implement a marketing drive that would promote full utilization of the route.

The work of the TKC forum resulted in the formalization of a trilateral agreement which gave birth to signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Development and Management of the Trans Kalahari Corridor by the Ministers of Transport on November 3, 2003.

The TKC MOU mandates the Trans Kalahari Corridor Management (TKCMC) as the executive body to oversee and manage the implementation of the deliverables of the MOU.

The TKCMC is a Public Private Partnership comprising public and private sector stakeholders. Operationally the TKCMC is supported by three sector Working Groups namely: (i) Customs & Transit Facilitation comprising of Customs, Immigration and private stakeholders in the freight and forwarding industry and clearing agents; (ii) Transport infrastructure and Operations comprising of transport, police and transporters; and finally the (iii) Business Development & Marketing sector mainly driven by the private sector with support of the public sector to grow corridor business.

The TKC Secretariat administers the day to day activities of the TKCMC and supports the programmes of the TKCMC and its operational structures. The TKC is a leading example of fully fledged Corridor Management Institution (CMI) advocated by SADC Secretariat in respect of implementing transboundary regional programmes involving more than one country.
Key achievements of the TKC Due to its formal establishment as a CMI the TKC has achieved tremendous regional milestones, notably:

i) Streamlining of legislation and harmonization of customs procedures to facilitate transit traffic along the corridor.

ii) Successful introduction and implementation of a Single Administrative Document (SAD 500) which replaced multiple customs forms, with resultant substantial reduction of costs associated with the preparation and production of such documentation.

iii) Extension of border operating hours from 22h00 to 00h00 allowing the flow of traffic which in turn increases throughput, optimization of load efficiency and turn around time.

iv) Harmonization of axle load limits;

v) Implementation of a common bond facilitating through movement of cargo throughout the corridor;

vi) Adoption of a multi year Strategic Plan;

vii) Gradual increase in cross border trade, commercial and passenger traffic from less than 20 trucks per day in 2000 to 150 trucks per day in 2008;

viii) Considerable reduction in clearance time from 2 days to 30 minutes with maximum of 1 hour;

ix) Completion of a feasibility study to establish a One Stop Border Post at Trans Kalahari (Namibia) and Mamuno (Botswana) border posts;

x) Completion and adoption of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the fencing of the corridor to prevent animals straying on the drive way.
Ongoing initiatives • Several key initiatives are currently being pursued for implementation consistent with the MOU. A considerable number of these initiatives are already at advanced stages towards implementation. a) Activity/Intervention Area • Establishment of One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Status • Following the completion of the Feasibility Study, the TKC Secretariat presented the findings & recommendations to the Political leadership, Operational management and private sector stakeholders of the Botswana and Namibia,

• National Committees have been established in both countries to expedite negotiations,

• Development partners have come on board to support the implementation of OSBP.
Way forward• Bilateral negotiations to take place soon b) Activity/Intervention Area Accreditation of Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) Status • 2nd Draft Self Regulation Policy Framework for accreditation of compliant clients has been developed

• Consultations with key stakeholders ongoing Way forward •Final draft to be adopted c) Activity/Intervention Area • Standardisation of weighbridge equipment and harmonization of weighbridge procedures to combat overloading and eliminate weighing discrepancies Status

• A new weighbridge to replace single weigh scale at Pioneer Gate (Botswana) is planned as part of integrated infrastructure development initiative in Botswana,

• A dedicated weighbridge is being constructed at Gobabis.

• Common frequency of calibration of weighbridge equipment adopted

• Common Guidelines for enforcement officials in respect of goods vehicle are being developed & discussed
Way forward • Integrated designs for border infrastructure to be finalised

• Management of weighbridge certificates to be handled as part of customs clearance documents

• Customs and weighbridge computer systems to be interfaced.

• Implementation of common calibration procedures

• Adoption of common Guidelines for enforcement officials
d) Activity/Intervention Area • Road Safety through enforcement measures and fencing of the road to prevent animals straying on roadway Status

• Site inspections of envisaged sections completed • Tenders for fencing of the corridor in Botswana underway
Way forward • Commencement of sectional fencing of the corridor e) Activity/Intervention Area • Systems Interface and Connectivity to ensure real time exchangeof information Status

• Pilot of interface between Customs systems of Botswana & Namibia implemented,

• Current Customs systems are unable to interface • Comparative analysis of potential interface solutions undertaken,

• A potential 3rd party connectivity/interface solution identified and recommended for adoption
Way forward • Network overload in Botswana to be addressed to facilitate the final review of pilot,

• Adoption and implementation of connectivity/ interface solution
f) Activity/Intervention Area • Development of ClientService Charter that provides service delivery standards Status

• 3rd and final Draft under discussion

• Consultations with all key stakeholders nationally underway
Way forward • Adoption of common launch methodology

• Launch of TKC Charter to be agreed (launch date, publicity, medium )
g) Activity/Intervention Area • Establishment of Truck Stops and Wellness centres Status

• Terms of Reference developed and adopted, • Application for funding of feasibility study submitted to potential International Cooperating Partners (ICPs).
Way forward • Finalisation of approval of application for funding • Undertaking of Truck Stop study h) Activity/Intervention Area • Harmonisation of Regulations for transportation of Dangerous Goods and Abnormal Loads Status

• Comparative analysis done

• Common Regulations under discussion

• Draft agreed in principle

• List of Emergency Management Services developed
Way forward • loads adopted

• Adoption of EMSs list for posting on TKC website.

The Trans Kalahari Corridor is a reputable and leading sub-regional Corridor Management Institution (CMI) within SADC with a fully functional legal and well established institutional frameworks based on Public Private Partnership (PPP) and responsive to SADC Guidelines.