Northern Durban taxi association flips script, honours taxi drivers for professionalism and hygiene
THE winners of the groundbreaking awards ceremony to honour the outstanding minibus taxi drivers and taxi rank managers who were voted for by passengers. The initiative, in its second yer, was started by the Zamukulungisa Taxi Association to instill professionalism, hygiene and respect for passengers in the industry. The northern Durban association's representative, Thandeka Luthuli, said they plan to expand the initiative to equip winners with skills development.
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An industry often associated with violence, intolerance of competition and poor customer service took an unexpected turn last weekend when a northern Durban taxi association honoured drivers for professionalism, hygiene and respect for passengers.
The Zamukulungisa Taxi Association, which operates minibus taxi routes in Verulam, Ndwedwe, Durbn, oThongathi and KwaDukuza, hosted an awards ceremony recognising drivers and rank managers who demonstrated outstanding conduct.
Winners, who were voted for by passengers, received certificates, trophies and R1 000 cash prizes in their respective categories.
Association representative Thandeka Luthuli said the initiative, launched last year, aims to promote professionalism, cleanliness and respect within the industry, while encouraging drivers to obey traffic rules.
“We have categories for the best driver in hygiene, the best driver in respecting passengers, the manager of the cleanest taxi rank and the best taxi rank manager,” said Luthuli.
She said the association plans to expand the awards in future, with improved prizes and a stronger focus on skills development.
“This is only our second year, but we want the event to grow into something bigger that also empowers drivers,” she said.
Luthuli added that voting was conducted through a Facebook poll as well as ballot boxes placed at taxi ranks.
“Passengers were given an opportunity to nominate drivers they felt deserved recognition,” she said.
The award for hygiene and the cleanest taxi went to Buya Ntuli of Mthebeni in Ndwedwe, who said the recognition motivated drivers to take pride in their work.
“It encourages us to love and respect what we do,” said Ntuli, who has been a taxi driver since 2010 and has driven his current minibus since 2014.
Ntuli said such initiatives should continue, as they promote positive behaviour within the industry.
“These awards make other drivers respect their work too, because they know there is some form of reward,” he said.
Other winners included Siya Mbambo in the category of respect for passengers, while Nkosinathi Madlanduna was recognised as the best taxi rank manager and the manager of the cleanest rank.