Promoting cleanliness and style in the taxi industry
The drivers’ custom is to dress up formally on Mondays and Fridays, showing off their best outfits.
People often associate taxi drivers with negativity starting from the way they behave to their appearance.
Some use the derogatory term, ‘magezela empompini’, which translates to ‘the one who baths on a tap’ to describe taxi drivers.
This term is used to mock the appearance and hygiene of taxi drivers. The Springs Taxi Association (STA) taxi drivers, however, do not subscribe to that negative perception.
For the past few years, they have been changing the narrative about taxi drivers by promoting cleanliness and good style.
“We must be presentable because we work with the community. It is a good thing when passengers can see that their driver is clean; they are immediately put at ease because when the driver is clean, the kombi is also clean,” the association’s PRO Lyric Tau said.
The drivers’ custom is to dress up formally on Mondays and Fridays, showing off their best outfits.
“We want this to be a continuous standard for the taxi industry,” Tau added.
Tau explained they are working not only to improve their presentation but their reputation as well.
“Sometimes the behaviour of taxi drivers is not good, but we talk to them and encourage them to speak to their commuters with respect because sometimes commuters and taxi drivers end up having verbal altercations.”
