In the trying times of Covid-19, the well-being of taxi drivers has been a concern for various taxi associations in South Africa, especially the Eastern Taxi Liaison Committee Association (ETLC).
The association joined hands with the SA Taxi Foundation to create a gaming lounge located at the Sandton taxi rank near the Sandton Gautrain station for taxi drivers.
Chairperson of the ETLC Jabulane Ntshangase welcomed the media and a few selected guests including the members of the SA Taxi Foundation to the opening of the Sandton pause lounge. The initiative to create a safe space for taxi drivers to socialise and reconnect with their inner child came into play late last year, according to Ntshangase.
“The lounge aims to raise funds for the drivers and the taxi industry. Looking at it from a longevity point of view, this centre will also increase employment and of course, the main objective is it serves as a nest for the drivers. We all know that taxi drivers spend long hours of the day ensuring that people get to their workplace and homes on time, so this is our way of thanking them,” said Ntshangase.
Taxi drivers operating around Sandton are all welcome to make the gaming lounge their home away from home. The space accommodates 30 individuals and offers a wide range of games such as pool, ping-pong, foosball (table football) and arcade games. Most games at the lounge will require a small fee of R2.
Chief industry and government officer of the SA Taxi Foundation, Matsidikanye Moswane was pleased to see the final design of the lounge and plans to develop it in other locations. “We plan extending funding to the minibus taxi operations. Our association prioritises itself looking after the community around the taxi industry. We are just hoping to increase employment through this,” said Moswane.
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