ZIWAPHI • VOL 3 NO 25 • 18 DEC 2009 - 14 JAN 2010

NELSPRUIT

The taxi industry in Mpumalanga launched the LangaRide 2010 Readiness Project in Nelspruit on Friday.

The managing director of South Africa Transport Solutions (SATS), Irvin Phenyane said the event would create more than 1 500 jobs for taxi operators in Mpumalanga.

“Three regional taxi bodies are participating after thorough consultation with the taxi industry as well as compliance checks. Taxis that qualify in terms of the 2006 taxi recapitalisation programme were selected through their local associations. No taxis over three years old will be allowed, so all the taxis involved were thoroughly checked,” Phenyane said.

He said taxi drivers had undergone training to deal with the influx of visitors expected during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

“We have trained drivers on how to deal with tourists and people with disabilities, and how to handle fans that are both drunk and sober,” Phenyane said. “The safety of all overseas tourists and local fans will be ensured. The police are also ready to monitor the situation.”

The taxis will transport spectators to and from the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit for free. The Mpumalanga government is expected to announce budget details for the project in January.

Phenyane said LangaRide was a catchy brand name that related well to Gauteng’s provincial transport project during the Confederations Cup, the Gauride.

According to Phenyane, the Gauride had proved that the taxi industry could deliver a successful “100% taxi and 100% black” operation.

“Now the world and South Africa know there is absolutely no contradiction between black and success. Many of our friends, comrades and colleagues now concede that there is no contradiction between taxi industry success and Fifa’s precision and detail,” Phenyane said.

Added SATS CEO Nkululeko Buthelezi: “The perception about taxis is still not comforting in South Africa. When SATS presented a businesses plan for the involvement of the taxi industry in the Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup, some authorities still perceived taxis as dangerous and never took the proposal serious. We have surely brought evolutionary change to the transport landscape,” he said.

A taxi driver from Mashishing, Chris Nobela, said he was happy to be involved in the project.

“It shows that the government recognises our business. We have learnt many things during the training they organised for us. Now we know how to deal with all the spectators and tourists who will be attending the soccer games. It shows that we are trusted and we will do our best to drive safely,” said Nobela.

Langa Ride readies for 2010 soccer