Vhembe female taxi driver receives top honuor award

LIMPOPO – Florah Netshiananae from Makonde-Tshithuthuni in Vhembe won the provincial female taxi driver of the year award in the Department of Transport and Community Safety’s Taxi Driver of the Year competition.

The prize-giving function was held at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane on Saturday.

Netshianane, driving under the Mutale Taxi Association, drives more than 50km from Tshipise to Thohoyandou every day to fulfil her duties. Although she had just won top honours this weekend, Netshianane was already at work on Monday again where she was driving a taxi where she has been working since 1998.

“I was happy and proud when I was announced as the best taxi driver. This is a huge achievement for me. I think my achievement will also inspire other women to understand that women are as capable as men,” said an excited Netshianane, a family woman and the mother of three children.

She said her poor background had forced her into this career. “I started working as a truck driver from 1993 to 1998 delivering sand and bricks. I now aim to win the national title, so that I can become a world champion,” she said.

The MEC for Transport, Florence Radzilani, said several activities took place during October’s Transport Month to celebrate the important role transport played socially and economically.

She said they were very proud of women like Netshianane and the other male drivers’ achievements.

According to Radzilani, the objective of the competition is to improve the driving skills of male and female taxi drivers around the country. The competition runs at national level. “We are pleased to see that the number of participants for this year’s competition has increased dramatically, especially as more women also took part. It shows that people are taking the competition seriously. This will assist in terms of reducing accidents on our roads, where a lot of lives will be saved through thd programme,” said Radzilani.