With Women’s month slowly coming to an end, the Herald continues to pay homage to women who are doing extraordinary things in their line of work.
Ellen Mdingi who is famously known as Sis’ Lolo in the streets of Randfontein started working as a taxi driver in 2017 and transports commuters between Randfontein, Mohlakeng and Johannesburg, and even over long distances to Rustenburg.
Also read: Women are better drivers than men – Netstar data
In an exclusive interview with the Herald, the 49-year-old said the job not only puts food on her table. “I’m really passionate about what I do and I love what I do.
“It gives me the opportunity to change the narrative about women being in the taxi industry and dispel the notion that only men can become taxi drivers.
I wanted to show people that women too can get behind the steering wheel of a taxi and do the job just as well as any man,” said Mdingi.
Her journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing though, and she detailed how she would often face rejection from those in the industry and from commuters.
“Starting out in the industry was a bit tricky for me. Some people were very sceptical about my abilities to do the job.
“I used to get looked down upon, especially by commuters. They’d say hurtful things like ‘a woman has no business driving a taxi’.
I somehow proved them wrong over the years and they have since gotten to like me. Some people even prefer being in my taxi,” said Mdingi who added that it didn’t take people long to warm up to her because she showed them how good she is at what she does.
Mgindi wears many hats and is also an owner of a funeral parlour in Mohlakeng.
The mother of three said her children and community are proud of her and the strides she is making in the male-dominated industries.
