New mall not good business for taxi owners in Namakgale

THE Phalaborwa Taxi Association had hoped the new Namakgale crossing would see a majority of residents utilising their minibuses to provide transport to the mall, but many in Namakgale and some parts of rural Makhushane prefer walking instead of catching a local taxi.

Since the mall was partially opened on August 23, many residents have been seen walking to the mall to buy their groceries while others do not see anything wrong with pushing a fully-loaded wheelbarrow for 10km. “If am going to buy groceries for less than R200, I just walk to the mall because I get to save R20 for a trip to town. I always use my wheelbarrow if am going to buy many items. I would like to thank our municipality for having built us this mall as we have enough shops to buy what we need,” Regina Makumbila from Bosveld said.

Prisca Malatji (58), from Long Till in Namakgale, said the mall came to the right place at the right time. “Our safety is secured since police officers have their truck patrolling in the mall the whole week. We are no longer going to be robbed by thugs in town. There is one thing missing though; our bank, Absa,” she said.

Cedric Sikhweni (36), a small entrepreneur who sells food to taxi drivers at the Megabus stop, called on the taxi association to expand the local routes in Namakgale. “I think the current fare of R6 should be increased to at least R8. They should also move once eight passengers are inside the taxi instead of waiting for it to be full as many people do not want to wait for long inside a taxi as our area is very hot,” Sikhweni explained.

Masilo Malatji (55), a vendor next to Mopani South East FET College in Namakgale has praises for the mall. “My business has been doing well since the mall was opened as many people from Foskor, Mandela, Haniville and Makhushane use this route heading to the mall.”

Phalaborwa Taxi Association Transport Manager, Thabo Mafane said their preliminary research indicated that business was going well since the mall was partially opened, but efficient and regular communication with the community would see businesses benefiting more from the mall.

“We have already opened new routes in Namakgale, but many people are still unaware of this. We are hoping that our people will support us as our taxis and drivers are safe, efficient and convenient,” he said.

CV spoke to one of the association’s drivers using the Phalaborwa route daily. “The mall is good since it is closer to our people, but business wise, we are no longer making profit as drivers. Very few people are boarding our taxis to town,” he said. Namakgale police spokesperson, Const Lucy Sekgotodi urged the community to refrain from participating in criminal activities as police officials present in the mall would have no mercy with lawbreakers.