Taxi veterans honoured for their hard work, some with new wheels

The people behind the Mamelodi Local and Long-Distance Taxi Association (MALLDTA) were remembered and honoured for their hard work as the association continues to assist many locals on their commute.

The association honoured the founders of the taxi association, the veterans, and their widows during the association’s end-of-year function held at Tshwane Regional Mall last Thursday.

They were honoured with prizes and certificates, including the Best Employee and the Best Queue Marshall Awards for the year.

Chairperson Stemmer Monageng said he made a promise since he took over in 2022 to honour the people who made the association what it is today.

“They deserve to be treated like kings and queens because of the hard work they have done for the association since it was started.

“We vowed to honour them as the new office for all the hard work they have done for the association because we felt like they were forgotten.

We are changing this association to become an organisation that cares for the people,” said Monageng.

Monageng added the association will also assist whoever is in need, irrespective of whether one is a veteran, a widow or not.

Shirley Moabelo, the wife of the former chairperson Lazarius Moabelo, was honoured with a brand new Quantum minibus to look after her family and to appreciate the work her late husband has done for the association.

Monageng further said the association has decided to adopt the children of [such] widows and made a contribution from his own pocket.

Monageng said Moabelo was his mentor, taught him everything about the taxi industry, and was also chairperson of MALLDTA before passing on.

He added that when Moabelo passed on, his family was left with nothing. It has always been his wish that “one day I will buy a Quantum taxi for the family so that they can use it to put bread on the table”.

“Monageng and his association have done wonders for my family; we have been struggling without any income since my husband passed,” Shirley said.

Moabelo encouraged the taxi association to continue doing the good job they are doing for the community and promised to look after the Quantum taxi.

Ben Maredi, chairperson of the Mamelodi Amalgamated Taxi Association, said he has known Monageng for years. He said they have a strong bond and are working together very closely, to ensure there is unity and peace in Mamelodi.

“Monageng and his association have shown the spirit of Ubuntu, and they care about the community of Mamelodi and its commuters,” said ZMTA chairman Mpho Motsepe.

Monageng added that they would donate school shoes to the dance group of girls who came to entertain the guests as part of giving back to the community.

Among those awarded certificates were the route committee members, and they also went home with cash prizes.

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