#Women’sMonth: Thabsile Nyathi breaks barriers

The taxi industry is essential to get from point A to point B if one does not have a private vehicle. While this industry is important, it can also be very dangerous and in some cases deadly.

But Thabsile Racheal Nyathi is one of the few female taxi drivers in Estcourt brave enough not to let that faze her as she follows her heart into this field of work.

‘Not just house work’

The brave 51-year-old continues to break down gender barriers in industries previously dominated by men each time she takes to the streets. Born in Ntabamhlophe, Mrs Nyathi completed her schooling at Emtshezi High School. Mrs Nyathi believes that women are capable of doing anything in life, not just housework.
Mother of the road

“Being a taxi driver you have to have patience, and be prepared to work under pressure, work long hours and always put your passengers’ safety first,” Mrs Nyathi shared.

The challenge

She added that these are a few of the challenges she faces and deals with them due to the love of her job.
Passengers often undermine Mrs Nyathi but she does not let any of it discourage her.

Inspired by her husband

“I needed a career that was challenging,” she smiles.

Watching this short lady of a small build getting behind the wheel of a minibus was an unforgettable sight. In her line of work, she mostly wants to prove to other women that yes, women are fragile but also strong enough to do a man’s job, sometimes better than he can. She has been greatly inspired by her husband that she can do what any man can.

Her message to women

As women, we can do anything as long as we put our minds to it.

Role models…

Mrs Nyathi looks up to women like Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and all the other females in Parliament. For her, they are taking the world by storm and that encourages her to apply that in the taxi industry.

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