The Colesberg Taxi Rank, virtually a white elephant standing inert and forlorn for a good 9 years seemed fated to symbolize yet another multi-million Rand tender gone horribly wrong. It would only be a matter of time before it deteriorated into a seedy haunt amongst the destitute, substance users and perhaps did duty as a convenient sentinel where knife-wielding muggers could scout their potential victims from afar. You’ll remember that despite the millions it cost to build, these sums were further increased when renovations were undertaken following incidents of vandalism.
Fortunately, with the Premier Dr Zamani Saul; the MEC for Transport and Safety, Nomandla Blom; the MEC for Youth, Women, persons with Disabilities and Communications, Lorato Venus Blennies; local leaders and a taxi association representative, the rank was officially handed over to the Umsobomvu Municipality on Friday, 18 November.
Despite the short notice, announced through a megaphone the previous evening, the turnout was way more than expected. Perhaps the promise of a takeaway meal comprising three meats, salads, a bun and cooldrink might have effectively twisted the community’s arm. At least a few hundred locals turned up to witness the small ceremony.
“The taxi rank,” said MEC Blom “should be a safe place. The community of Colesberg must look after it. The government may have built it but the ownership is with the community.” She went on to lament how public facilities, built with millions of taxpayer money are often vandalised by the very people they are supposed to serve.
Up next the MEC in the Premier’s office, Ms Blennies, had similar words. But what clearly chuffed the audience considerably were her sprightly features. At only 27 years old her rise to such a powerful position spoke to the matter of active youth participation in government.
A representative from the taxi association, SANTACO, Mr Thamsanqa Gcanga was hopeful in creating “a unified taxi industry.” This, an often volatile, violent industry where business disputes are settled by bloodshed and terror seems amicable and co-operative in these parts of the country.
Following a quirky gumboots dance performance by a local group from Umso High School, there was a hip hop duo whose romantic lyrics pointed at said youthful MEC drew giggles and applause from the crowd.
Then it was time for “the son of the soil,” Dr Zamani Saul, to take the community into his confidence. His plans for the taxi rank go far beyond the official handing over, he tells us. “You’ll remember,” he says, “that in August we announced R5million to be made available to women-run businesses.” Here he is referring to his Women’s Month visit which eParkeni covered earlier this year.
He said he derives great pleasure when he meets upcoming businesswomen with glad tidings to share. When he returns and hears these women say, “I am in business today because of that R50 000 I got from the government,” he is always touched.
Some of these budding entrepreneurs should find a leg-up on the several on-site stalls on the taxi rank premises. They may not seem like much now, hollow, unfurnished little rooms but in the coming months they will evolve into a buzz of shisa nyama, coffee aroma and buying “on the book” by reliable customers. Just across the road, at the N1 building this is the modus operandi that keeps a lot of women entrepreneurs cushioned from the rampant unemployment and unkind economic situation facing the country.
With the formalities out the way, the taxi industry showed its might. In a boisterous, hooting convoy, the taxis made an account of themselves riding into what is for all intents and purposes now officially their turf. In a changing local economic landscape, this is one of those industries that remains firmly in local hands. With the majority of households who do not own a vehicle, the industry serves an important role in ferrying, particularly the aged and frail to public service points.
Furthermore, not only is the industry a source of employment for scores of youths who otherwise would not have a job, but it has also facilitated upward mobility to black taxi bosses who have climbed up the social ladder. In this regard, a small but growing black middle-class is flourishing, some of whom own impressive fleets of taxis. In major cities where being a taxi driver is often associated with bad, reckless driving, it is always pleasing that things down in the platteland tend to be a lot more diplomatic. Taxis are seen less as death traps in the hands of foul-mouthed, stern-faced drivers than entities that offer an essential service to the community. May that peaceable spirit live on!
