MEC drives taxi from Polokwane to Seshego

Roads and Transport MEC Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana caught many by surprise when she abandoned her body guards and official car, got behind the wheel of a Siyaya taxi full of passengers including Polo­kwane Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng, and drove them from the Polo­kwane Taxi Rank to Seshego on Sunday.
This was part of the day’s celebration of female taxi operators and women in the taxi industry. The event was organised by Ae Tle Ka di Seat Basadi, a non-profit, Seshego based organisation in partnership with Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association.
Mokaba-Phukwana said she wanted to show women that they too can make it in the taxi industry. “A taxi is just like any other car, I felt comfortable on the road and I enjoyed driving and if it was not for my job I would do it every day,’’ Mokaba-Phukwana said.
She stressed that she wanted to dispel the myth that the industry was meant for men only. “This is a viable business that women can take advantage of and I would love to see more women in the industry,” she said.
Nkadimeng said it was beautiful experience and that she wouldn’t mind taking a taxi to her workplace. “I felt comfortable, safe and I wouldn’t mind doing it again,” Nkadimeng said.

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za

Featured photo: Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana, Roads and Transport MEC, prepares to drive a taxi full of passengers from Polokwane to Seshego on Sunday.