‘Taxipreneurs’ get keys to new taxis

So-called “taxipreneurs” were given the keys to new minibus taxis last week to aid their businesses – all thanks to a campaign by SA Taxi aimed at strengthening its relations and collaboration with other stakeholders in the industry.

“I won a taxi,” said recipient Abel Msiza.

“I am so speechless – it is so unreal after everything this company has done for me and my family.”

Msiza (74) was one of the lucky two taxi owners who received the minibus taxis last week, along with an additional R10 000 which was given to all those who made the shortlist for fighting to keep their businesses afloat.

“This is an emotional moment for me because I have been in the taxi industry for 42 years. I started as a taxi driver and worked for somebody else for nine years until I bought my own taxi,” he said.

Msiza said he was now looking forward to employing another taxi driver.

“I employ 18 taxi drivers and now I’m planning to hire another driver, which will make it 19,” he said.

“Can you believe I managed to buy a farm because of this taxi business? That is why I am so happy and grateful to SA Taxi for their efforts to work with us and continue to empower us as the industry.”

At the handover of the two taxis, eight other taxipreneurs received R10 000 for being shortlisted to use as they see fit.

By the end of the 12-month campaign, around R12-million worth of minibus taxis would be handed over to 24 taxipreneurs with the hope of them having more than one taxi in their fleet to create much-needed employment.

Another taxi owner whose day was made by the R10 000 was Kgalalelo Moremi (70).

The 70-year-old immediately went into the SA Taxi offices to enquire about paying a deposit to get a third taxi and expand her fleet.

SA Taxi group communication executive Maroba Maduma said it was encouraging that taxi owners were given the opportunity to increase their fleets.

“It is encouraging to see taxipreneurs increase their fleets and employ other people.

“The purpose of this initiative is to encourage people to act responsibly for the sustainability of their businesses. In doing so, we have given them unencumbered assets to grow their businesses,” Maduma said.

Shortlisted finalists and winners were selected from a database of clients who kept their account payments up-to-date and honoured arrangements they made to settle their arrears as they sought to grow their businesses.

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