Unemployed women encouraged to join the taxi industry

A young female taxi driver from Mamelodi joined what is known as a male dominated industry and she encouraged other women to do the same.

Maria Nyama (24) from Mamelodi West has been a full-time taxi driver since 2019.

She encouraged unemployed women in Mamelodi with driver’s licences to join the industry as taxi drivers or even as taxi owners.

“There is a lot of business opportunities in the industry. Women joining the industry will become independent and be able to take care of their families,” said Nyama.

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She said there were many single unemployed women in Mamelodi with driver’s licences who can’t find jobs.

Nyama said she joined the taxi industry because of boredom after she dropped out of her second year studying business management.

“I started by driving my father’s taxi over the weekend when the drivers were off and saw that there is a lot of money to be made here.”

She said there are challenges as a female taxi driver because passengers take time to trust you and would make discouraging comments.

But she is optimistic and said with her dedication and passion, it was easy for her to overcome all these challenges.

Besides driving a taxi she is also transporting school kids.

“I wake up early in the morning like any taxi from Monday to Monday and knock off late after reaching my target,” she said.

She said she wants to grow in the taxi industry and become an owner one day.

Chairperson of 4 + 1 taxi association Jabulani Mashiane said the taxi industry was running short of female taxi drivers and they should come on board.

“Women who want to be part of the taxi industry should not be discouraged,” said Mashiane.

“We want your input as women drivers and believe having women on board could change, better and develop the taxi industry,” he said.

Mashiane added that having women taxi drivers will also fight the high rate of unemployment in Mamelodi.

“Working hard and with dedication these women could become taxi bosses or executive members of the taxi association,” he said.

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