12 000 vaccinated against Covid-19 from Midrand site
MIDRAND – The walkabout included different departments within the company, including the mechanical site, vehicle stripping department and the on-site vaccination centre.
SA Taxi, a taxi industry partner based in Midrand, recently met with Deputy Minister in the Presidency Pinky Kekana to commemorate Transport Month.
October Transport Month is a government initiative that looks at economic and social matters in public transport.
Kekana, SA Taxi management and representatives and invited guests engaged in a walkabout of different departments within SA Taxi, including the mechanical site, vehicle stripping department and the on-site vaccination centre. The centre was opened in partnership with the National Department of Health and health professionals from private entities running the Pfizer programme, through which 12 000 people have been vaccinated.
Kekana said it was good to see such private and public sector partnerships. “As part of observing Transport Month in partnership with SA Taxi we are also rolling out the Vooma vaccination programme. The vaccination site is not only open to taxi operators and owners but commuters and members of the public who live in the area.”
She applauded women that have been appointed in various positions in the value chain of the taxi industry and emphasised that more women still have to take part in this male-dominated space. One of the few women in the industry, Nonhlanhla Ngidi, who works in SA Taxi’s auto parts department, said she enjoyed her job which defies gender roles.
One of the invited guests, Professor Mosa Moshabela from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, is a professor in public health and deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation at the university. He has been very involved in intensifying the Covid-19 vaccination drive. “The virus is moved by people, the taxi industry is key in playing a role in mitigating against the spread of the virus,” said Moshabela.
Trevor Browse, CEO of SA Taxi, thanked the minister for coming to see what strides SA Taxi has taken.
SA Taxi communications executive Maroba Maduma added that it was crucial for the minister to see the company’s role in safety against Covid-19, its relationship with taxi associations and its offerings to the industry. “Through the vaccination site, we have ensured that taxi commuters and operators can come in and vaccinate without the stress of waiting in long queues.”
