The taxi industry in South Africa is one of the most important industries in the country, yet it is underfunded and often ignored by the government. It attracts all sorts of negative stereotypes but what is rarely mentioned is how it is the backbone of most poor, black families. Not only because it transports them to their workplaces at an affordable price, but because it also allows for the existence of other businesses.
The taxi industry is one of the few businesses that is black, from its employees to its owners, although of course it is not immune to the overreaching white hand, because the taxis are still manufactured and financed by white-owned institutions. To realise how important this industry is, we only have to remember how the rhythm of our daily lives is affected when they decide to stop operating.
Of course, questions about violence, particularly gender-based violence, and the regulating and equipping of the sector must also be addressed.