Official host city for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM
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| Survival guide to minibus taxis |
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| Wednesday, 30 April 2008 | ||
Minibus taxis are the fastest way to travel in the city but you must be fearless because the drivers use some unconventional methods to get you to your destination on time MEET Marc Shabangu, your minibus taxi guide. He uses them to get around town and from his home in Soweto to work. “It’s fun, but it can be exhausting sometimes simply because of the unnecessary talks you get yourself into. I love the whole experience of taking a cab (taxi) in Jozi. What we chat about We simply chat about normal things, like how was your day yesterday. Sometimes we chat about those taxi drivers that drive “kabi” (badly) on the roads of Jozi.
In most cases it’s about drivers who don’t want to drop us at our safe drop-off points because they don’t want to find themselves stuck in traffic. And if you’re a guy like me, you are probably sitting next to this beautiful lady and you’re trying to push your charm “you know what I am saying mos”. Others are stressing about their boyfriends or galfriends who are chitin’ on them. On-board entertainment In mshayeli’s car he rules. He decides what is to be played and nobody touches his sound system. It could be jazz, gospel or kwaito, who knows. Some cabs are pimped out, with DVDs at full blast, a CD system with proper 6x9 loud speakers. That taxi is heaven to high school children. Safety To be honest, your safety in a cab is not guaranteed because the abashayeli (taxi-drivers) are more concerned about making their money quicker than the blink of an eye. They don’t care how they get to a place as long as they get there, drop off people and get another load that goes back to elokshini (townships). But, I love these guys. For one thing, specially in the mornings when you are on your way to work, they will force their taxi even on to the shoulder lane of the highway to beat the traffic and get their passengers to work on time. Us passengers can certainly complain when a driver drives like ithwasa (an amateur), because we want someone who can beat mini-cars like they are nuttin’. The Carlton Centre in downtown Jozi takes the cup. Come evening or mid-evening or even dawn, you will find abashayeli waiting to take you home. As long as you give them their R10 taxi fare and shut your small mouth you will get home. Danki san. Ups and downs If umageza knows his story, we get to work on time and we don’t complain. But, sometimes you get packed into the minibus taxi imas’hlalisane four-four (crammed four to a seat). Check out the cab – sometimes they’re very worn and could pop a wheel. And some are so old they can’t even go fast if you wanted them to. Drivers come in a mixed bunch. Some are friendly and talkative, some just get on with the job, others are grumpy or rude. Just remember, don’t start a fight with one. Some of abashayeli play nice music in the background to sooth our mornings. But there are some abashayeli who play their really really bad music so loud he can’t even hear you when you want to get off at the next street. And, best of all, you get to meet kool people at the taxi ranks. A word of warning though, some are not so nice – don’t step on their toes. I prefer my taxis to buses simply because I get around quicker. I say umthandazo omncane (a short prayer for safety) and then, kaboom, I’m at home. Sho ma-oledi.” |
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Partly cloudy.
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Joburg speaks out
Jozi residents talk about their city, the 2010 build-up, their favourite places.
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