A fairly new Witpoortjie resident has her distinct needs met by the most unexpected people – the dedicated Rank 5 steward and his taxi drivers.
Paraplegic Nelly Zitha, who moved to Witpoortjie in April this year and works as a receptionist at Primedia in Constantia Kloof, was pleasantly surprised by the people at the taxi rank. She speaks about the hardships of being a public transport commuter when she first moved to Johannesburg from Polokwane.
“It was very difficult at first. I had to catch the last taxi and hoped to get as close to my address as I could to be able to steer my power wheelchair home.”
Now she smiles as she says, “things are different”.
Isaac Xolilemjikelana, Rank 5 steward, was proud to tell the Record that they devised a better plan for Nelly.
“We do not discriminate against any of our commuters.
“We realised that Nelly had different needs, that she suffered before, and decided to help out.
“I am proud of the Dobsonville, Roodepoort, Leratong, Johannesburg Taxi Association (Dorljota).”
Dorljota spokesperson Veronica Mosiapoa explained to the Record that a few of the taxis at Rank 5 can accommodate wheelchairs. For a week at a time each of these taxis takes turns to pick up Nelly from her home in Hulley Street at 7.30am before their shift starts. Nelly travels as a front seat passenger and is dropped off at work at 8.30am. In the afternoon she is picked up from work and taken to her house in the same manner.
Mosiapoa invited the Record to meet Nelly on Wednesday morning 23 October as she was getting ready for her trip in a Rank 5 taxi.
“I approached them for help and the response was amazing. It shows me that the negative attitude usually associated with taxi drivers can be disproved, as I can attest to.
“They’re friendly, accommodating people and understand that we as disabled people deserve to be respected.
“I wish other transporters could learn from them,” Nelly said after a taxi driver had helped her into the taxi and loaded in her wheelchair.
