'Change taxi perception'

The negative perception of the taxi industry is one of the biggest problems it faces as it tries to fit into the public transport sector, the SA National Taxi Council said on Tuesday.

Addressing Parliament's transport portfolio committee, Santaco appealed for help in changing people's mindsets and the way they viewed the industry.

"People don't understand the economic contribution of the industry. The views of the broader public need to change. We implore the committee to help us change the perception of the role of the industry," Santaco CEO Bongani Msimang said.

People were not acknowledging that the industry was trying to shift away from the perception that it was associated with violence, he said. (Playfair.co.za)

Transporter of disadvantaged

"There seems to be a lack of understanding on who the taxi industry is. It is the biggest BBBEE group within the transport sector. [It is] still the largest transporter of millions of the previously disadvantaged and marginalised communities."

Msimang said the industry connected people with business centres and places of employment. It also contributed to job creation.

He referred the committee back to his previous presentation.

Currently, the industry transported 15 million people daily and created about 650 000 jobs. There were an estimated 75 000 taxi drivers, 100 000 conductors, 79 000 rank managers and 5000 admin staff. About 100 000 people worked as "car washers" at taxi ranks countrywide. Some 150 000 hawkers sold food and other items to workers and commuters daily.

Nothing mentioned about taxis

Despite these contributions to job creation, Msimang said mention was never made about the industry whenever the government spoke about job creation.

"Nothing is mentioned about the taxi industry. [Yet] we contribute to government objectives."

Committee chairperson Ruth Bhengu said the industry was perceived as a "cancer", and that while the government needed to address the negatives, it also needed to talk about the positive side.

"The fact that there are so many minibuses on the road means that there is a contribution by the industry to the economy."

Msimang said a training academy had been established in an effort to train taxi drivers and conductors with "soft and hard skills". This would probably help drivers and conductors change their behaviour and attitudes and in turn gain the public's trust and respect.

Drivers must be trained

Santaco secretary general Philip Taaibosch said the academy would be a long-term initiative.

"Our intention is not to stop the drivers within the system... but we are saying that any new entrant or employee coming into the industry should be trained through the academy."

More women would also be brought into the male-dominated industry, Msimang said.

Santaco president Jabulani Mthembu said they were working closely with prisons to rehabilitate jailed ex-drivers and conductors.

"As a result of taxi violence, orphans have been created, widows have been created. What do you about your past, how do you begin to address these issues?"

Santaco faced with lack of money

Santaco was also running a "know your status" campaign at taxi ranks around the country.

According to Msimang Santaco was working with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to better the industry.

"Whatever we develop must be supported by research and other processes... so that we inform our business practices in the right manner."

Another major problem Santaco faced was a lack of money.

Transport department director general George Mahlalela said an investor conference would be held in June to address this. He said the department needed to get the private sector "on board".

"There's no way we can raise money through the fiscus only."

He said the department and Santaco would meet over the next two months and develop a concrete plan and find money to improve the industry.