Diva’s Closet

Dineo Moloko

Some of us know the commuter life all too well.

In fact, you have not experienced life if you have not been in a taxi. Taxi life is a world of its own. It should actually be on your bucket list, if you have not been in a taxi.

The yellow line, dodging traffic, the door that falls off when you try close it, the new routes you learn because the board is around, 15-seaters that actually really have a carrying capacity of 25 (it’s just the manufacturer that made an error) and the feeling of your heart in your throat as you kiss the ground because you survived a trip in a taxi.

But behind this seemingly untouchable man, is a father putting food on the table. A brother who is putting his sister through varsity. A man who sends money home to ensure that his family and extended family can survive. How often are we shown this side? We see the violence and negligence but never the human, like any other person, trying to get the best out of life.

Like any other career, yes driving a taxi is a career, new skills are acquired and old skills are perfected. In an era of continuous change, one needs to be ready to learn and adjust to new systems by gaining knowledge.

This has been recognised by the Gauteng Community Safety MEC, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, who said her department is committed to having a school of excellence for taxi drivers to help combat the road death toll.

The MEC and transport’s Ismail Vadi met with taxi bosses to discuss issues that are faced within the taxi industry.

Taxi owners also raised a number of issues that they are faced with – issues that need legal intervention and government collaboration.

Added to this, the Safety MEC is planning roadshows and visit ranks to train taxi drivers.

With this in mind, I hope this effort to add more skills to the industry will shape and transform our taxi industry. This requires all stakeholders, including government and commuters.

In the meantime, we wait in anticipation for excellence.