Taxi boss graduates with law degree
Mandlenkosi Mkhwanazi's experience in the taxi industry prompted him to pursue a career in law.
FOR years the taxi industry has been regarded as a rough and often violent business run by illiterate people whose only interest is the accumulation of wealth.
This perception is likely to change as some taxi drivers and owners are now opting to arm themselves with academic qualifications instead of AK47s.
Chairperson of the KwaDlangezwa Taxi Association, Mandlenkosi Mkhwanazi, affectionately known as ‘Doda,’ is one such person.
He recently graduated with a Latin: Legum Baccalaureus (LLB) degree from the University of Zululand.
Born and bred in Khangisa Reserve in KwaDlangezwa, Mkhwanazi is on a mission to become the voice of the voiceless while changing the face of the taxi industry for good.
He owns three minibus taxis and has been a driver since 1997, transporting commuters to Empangeni, eSikhaleni and Richards Bay.
‘It has always been my childhood dream to become a lawyer, and I think that dream is fast becoming a reality.’
He is currently employed as a paramedic at the University of Zululand.
He told the Zululand Observer that his experience in the taxi industry further prompted him to pursue a career in law.
‘I have noted that people in poor communities who are in conflict with the law lack the know-how of the services at their disposals. Very few people know about legal aid and how it operates, and this is what I want to rectify,’ Mkhwanazi said.
‘We have seen incidents where people’s vehicles are repossessed for failing to keep up with their monthly instalments. Without knowledge, these people just surrender their vehicles to the bank officials without demanding a court order to be delivered by the Sheriff of the Court.
‘I will be going for professional legal training this July at UKZN and come back to serve my articles to be admitted as an attorney. I can’t wait to become the voice of the voiceless.’
