The Gauteng Provincial Government held an exciting seminar in Johannesburg on Monday, following a plea made by women in the taxi industry to create a platform where they can engage with the government on issues that affect women as taxi operators. The seminar is part of the October Transport Month Programme initiated by the Department of Roads and Transport, and part of the department’s plan is to work with taxi associations and local stakeholders to assist curb road accidents and change the drivers’ behaviour on the road.
MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure Jacob Mamabolo, highlighted the importance of transforming the taxi industry through the provincial government working together with women in the industry and challenging the patriarchal system that exists in the industry.
“This meeting comes on the back of the Provincial Taxi Summit which made resolutions to transform and modernise the taxi industry which is still faced with serious problems including violence and patriarchal tendencies. Women should take the lead in changing the behaviour of the drivers that they employ as this would have an impact in the reduction of road fatalities,” MEC Mamabolo. The provincial government together with the taxi industry stakeholders will be working together in hosting a Road Safety Seminar in November, as part of providing solutions to fight the number of deaths that are in South African roads.
The seminar follows the assault case of Mama Abigail Kubheka who was recently assaulted by an unknown taxi driver at Orlando East, Soweto. Mama Kubheka was part of the seminar as Mamabolo condemned violence against women, and he was also joined by women in the industry who offered an apology to Mama Abigail. “We have made many strides in changing the industry over the past few months, it is true that we will not solve all the problems at once. But we were disappointed and shocked to find out about what had happened to Mama Abigail,” said Jacob.
Furthermore, the taxi industry transports 70 percent of the passengers in Gauteng alone, and the provincial government believes an intervention from women will help provide a lasting solution to the current challenges faced by the taxi industry.
