Talking all things taxi on Energy FM
This week we get to know Moope Frans Kgasago, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Mankweng Taxi Association, who hosts Taxi Talk on Energy FM's Energy Drive from Mondays to Thursdays.
• What were the highs and lows during your time in the taxi industry? Ramasedi, Polokwane Ext 71.
“When I started working in the taxi industry, it was full of people who thought everything belonged to Goliath (Bosomandla). Certain individuals thought differences can be fixed by guns. There were individuals who had more taxis than others. There were many different taxi structures and lack of customers, care and respect. Then the African National Congress-led (ANC) government decided to bring taxi structures together to form the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco). The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) remains independent. Now the industry is being democratised and it has changed the attitudes of members. We now understand the business and it’s governed by laws and policies.”
• Do you sometimes wear a church uniform (khakhi) and join those men there (masogana) or are you on the baruti side? Kolobe, Moremadi Park in Nobody.
“I’m only busy during the week and on weekends I go to church and participate in church activities like any other church member (masogana) because I am lesogana (individual) not Moruti (Pastor).”
• I respect you and the good job you are doing in the taxi industry and the community at large. But what worries me most is that you are always harsh on hitchhikers. Don’t you think le gataka ditokelo tja batho (going against people’s rights). It seems like you are forcing them to use your taxis. Kolobe, Moremadi Park in Nobody.
“Thank you for recognising my role and commitment in the industry. We are not forcing the people but caring for their safety. There are incidents of criminality which took place on hiking spots, people must use public transport which are buses and taxis, where criminals have limited chance of robbing them and forcing people to drink liquid that might have intoxicating substances in it. There are guys who pretend to be queue marshals and force motorists who pick up hitchhikers to pay them and if they refuse, the people are victimised.”
• Who do you think is the ‘craziest’ between Huggy (El President) and Madam Speaker Poelano? Maggy, Turf.
“No offense, but the craziest between the two is Huggy (El President), lol.”
• Which football team do you support? You sound like a Kaizer Chiefs fan. Thabo, Ext 71.
“Actually I’m a Baroka Football Club fan.”
• How long have you been working on radio and do you ever think of maybe having your own show at Energy FM? Lizzy, Polokwane.
“I started at Radio Turf serving as a board member long ago and when Energy FM was formed I was requested to give the traffic update by its management because of my role as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Mankweng Taxi Association. It will be up to Energy FM management if they want to give me a show to run. I am happy to be part of the team for now.”
• What motivates you to participate in so many community upliftment programmes? Karabo Clive, Mankweng.
“I like my people. I don’t want to leave people in the darkness. I participated in the Community Policing Forum (CPF) because I wanted our community to feel and be safe from criminals. I participate on radio traffic update because our community must always be informed about road safety and what is happening on our roads through Energy FM and Choice FM. Thank you team and may God bless you all and keep on rocking the microphones of the pulse of Energy FM and Choice FM.”
