Western Cape Taxi Lekgotla

Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works, Bonginkosi Madikizela together with Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula addressed the Western Cape Taxi Lekgotla on 15 October 2020.

The event coincided with Transport Month and comes after a recent spike in taxi violence in the Western Cape.

The objectives of the Provincial Lekgotla were to pave the way for stakeholders in the taxi industry to engage each other in order to reimagine the industry. It was also an opportunity to assess progress made by all stakeholders in terms of the recommendations of the 1996 National Taxi Task Team and to prepare for the National Taxi Lekgotla set to take place on 29 October 2020.

Minister Madikizela recently embarked on a province-wide tour encouraging the taxi industry and civil society to participate in the Provincial Taxi Lekgotla which allowed for inputs, suggestions and recommendations to support the National Lekgotla. One such recommendation was a call for the development of a unified body (an apex body) regulating public transport (35-seater vehicles and below).

Madikizela said the public image of a warring minibus taxi industry will only change if leaders commit to unity and to professionalising the industry. He said they also need to start operating within a transparent regulatory framework to protect authorised permit holders against route invasions and the recruitment of illegal operators.

This year, 87 people have been killed in incidents related to taxi violence in the province with 143 people arrested.

Amongst the pertinent issues that were discussed were:

• Unity and leadership
• Regulation
• Economic empowerment
• Professionalism and customer care

Participation in the event was both face-to-face and virtual.

Officials said Thursday’s lekgotla served as an integral part of the build-up towards a historic National Taxi Lekgotla which will be held from 29 October 2020.