Greater Germiston Taxi Association parks in new home

It was a joyous occasion for members of the Greater Germiston Taxi Association (GGTA) when they officially opened their new offices in Kinross Street, Germiston South, on Thursday.

Founded in 1994 at the Germiston Taxi Rank, the GGTA has been operating routes in Germiston for 25 years and has a total of nine different branches which operate different routes.

According to the executive members of the association, they bought the new property for R1.6-million, two years ago, and have occupied the offices since then.

Public relations officer of GGTA Alpheus Mthanti said the new offices are a great achievement for the association and symbolised its growth.

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“We have been renting premises for many years and paying large sums of money,” he said.

“We felt that it was time we bought our own property, to have an office where our commuters could come in and lodge their complaints freely, without any fear.”

He further stated that the association’s resilience was put to the test as they had to overcome various challenges leading up to the grand opening.

“The biggest challenge was accumulating enough funds to buy the right property,” said Alpheus.

“Fortunately, one of our members loaned us money to buy this place and we managed to pay him back.

“Another challenge was finding the right location as for our businesses we had a vision and knew what we wanted and here we are now.”

Ward 35 councillor Oupa Tshabalala was also present to congratulate the association on their accomplishment.

“This instils a great sense of pride to the municipality,” he said.

“The members of GGTA have really outdone themselves and I wish them nothing but the best.”

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The offices, located at 27 Kinross Street, Germiston South, is open only on weekdays from 9am to 1.30pm.

The celebrations boasted attendees from the Vosloorus and Boksburg District Taxi Association (VBDTA), Katlehong People’s Taxi Association (KAPTA), Greater Alberton Taxi Association (GATA), Johannesburg Vosloorus Taxi Association (JVTA), Benoni Taxi Association and other taxi associations in Gauteng.

Also among the attendees were branch managers and business bankers from Absa Germiston and Absa Primrose, who, according to the executive, have helped shape their finances in leading to this auspicious occasion.

Pat McClure from Pat McClure Properties, who played a pivotal role in assisting the association realise their dream, praised the association’s work ethic.

“Working together with Alpheus and the chairperson of GGTA Gideon Phaswana showed me what a revered fighting spirit the GGTA has,” said Pat.

Khosi Nkumane, treasurer in the GGTA executive, thanked the Germiston community for their support.

“Without taking no for an answer and overcoming every obstacle to achieve our dream, we now have a home, in the heart of a city we have been operating in for years, all thanks to God and our community, this is the beginning of a new era,” she said.

To get in touch with GGTA contact 011 872 0880 or 011 872 0882 or email to greatergermistonta@gmail.com.