POLOKWANE – While many families gather around Christmas tables to share meals, unwrap gifts and enjoy the warmth of togetherness, Polokwane e-hailing driver Mathew “Velocity” Makgoba will be spending his Christmas Day behind the wheel.

For Makgoba, Christmas isn’t a day off, it’s one of the busiest and most meaningful working days of the year.

“Everyone is at home with their families, but I’m on the road. Some people think it’s lonely, but I’ve learned to see it differently. It’s about service and earning for my family. I make tips that help at home and for personal use,” he said.

Working on a day traditionally reserved for celebration comes with sacrifice. Makgoba admits that he often misses out on the traditional Christmas atmosphere, the smells of home-cooked food, laughter from the lounge, and the comfort of being surrounded by loved ones.

But he takes pride in knowing that his work helps others get to where they need to be.

“Other people are working on the day too, and transporting them to their homes and destinations makes it worth it,” he said.

Despite the long hours and festive-season traffic, Makgoba has created his own tradition to make Christmas feel special.

“I join my family for a late-night dinner after my shift. This is my way of celebrating with them, and we get to bond and share some laughs over the meal. I enjoy it a lot,” he added.

For Makgoba and many others like him, Christmas is a reminder that service, sacrifice and family take many different forms, even when celebrated after the shift ends.