A day in the life of taxi operators

S’nethemba Gumede

Many a times stories are written about taxi drivers and the taxi industry in general. More often than not, these stories reflect negatively on this industry. Not to say that some of the things written are not true but surely there must be some good as it is one of the most popular forms of transportation in country. Cleary the South African government has come to this realization which explains their notion to start a taxi academy where drivers and conductors or SDO’s (sliding door operators), as they are commonly known, will be trained how to run their businesses and equip them with the skills of practicing proper customer care.

With this in mind a colleague of mine and myself took to the taxi’s to get insight into the happenings of this industry on a day to day basis and a day in the life of drivers and conductors or SDO’s (sliding door operators) as they are commonly known. She spoke to the driver while I attempted to speak to the conductor but had to stop every time he jumped off to call passengers.

West Street in Durban, one of the busiest roads in the city,
often a hive of taxi activity

While travelling in one of the taxi’s, operating in the CBD and Point area, I witnessed  another side to conductors that is often not seen.

A lady, presumably around the age of 50, hails for the taxi to stop. The conductor jumps off the taxi and helps the lady, who appears to have an injured leg as she is using a walking stick and her leg is bandaged, into the taxi. Conductors are often known for their rudeness and ill treating of passengers but it appears there are a select few who know how to practice proper customer care.

This conductor is Nkule Dube, 22, from Ntuzuma a location near Inanda, wakes up  everyday at 4am and is at work by 5am one hour before taxi’s start operating. He says he hardly eats in the morning as he is always in a rush to get to work. “On busy days our first meal of the day is usually at 1pm but on ordinary occasions we eat at 9am or 10am when we are done with the morning rush of individuals going to work,” he says. Dube says he often fights with the driver, over what time they should go and eat, because he (driver) doesn’t want to take a break but carry on making money.

Dube has been a conductor for almost eight years. “My father died in the year 2000 and my mother the following year. My siblings and I were very young at the time so it was tough but we had to work together to make ends meet.” Dube says one day a friend of his, who was also a conductor, suggested Dube go with him to town and hang around the rank in hopes of being approached by drivers to help them count the money. Indeed a driver did approach him. “I was still in primary school then, grade 7, so I would go to school during the week and on the weekends I would work as a conductor.”

SDO Nkule Dube with driver, Siphosenkosi Nxazonke Picture:Sandile Ndlovu

Before he can carry on telling his story, the taxi stops and Dube jumps out calling on for people to get into his taxi. “Uyahamba Ma?” meaning are you going mam? “South Beach, Wheel, Point,” he shouts informing potential passengers where the taxi is going. Almost every two minutes, and sometimes less, the taxi stops and Dube has to repeat the same routine. “This goes on from six in the morning until six in the afternoon,” says Dube, “there’s hardly enough time to rest because there is almost always someone along the sidewalk waiting for a taxi.” Even if pedestrians don’t indicate for the taxi to stop it does so anyway, “because at times they are waiting for a nice taxi to take but once you start talking to them and ask them politely where they going, often they will agree to get into your taxi, fancy or not,” he says. Dube admits though that the condition of the taxi, sound and the music booming from it, plays a major role in helping the people decide whether they want to use the taxi or not.

After some time Dube carries on with his story. “As difficult as it was my brother and sister, whom are older than me, tried to put me through school but I quit after I failed grade 11 twice.” He says he had wanted a job that would make him respected and feel like a somebody.

“I must admit,” says Dube distractedly as he tries to signal through the window for people to come into the taxi, “that being a conductor isn’t the best job in the world  but it pays and I am able to bring a small contribution back home at the end of the day.” Dube says conductors in the CBD earn R150 a day and sometimes R200 if the driver is generous.

During my time spent travelling around in the taxi, with paying of course, I paid witness to the many difficult experiences conductors and drivers encounter, resulting in them losing their patience and sometimes responding rudely. “I think because of the stereotypes around the taxi industry, that we are rude and don’t know how to treat people, you find that passengers treat us in that same manner without being provoked. “Whether it’s asking for change or asking to jump off, they often speak harshly.” Dube admits that it is not always easy to remain calm but that in order for them to succeed they have to endure the abuse and respond in the politest manner they are able to.

This experience has proven to that there always is two sides to a story. Often the confusion arises from two, or more party’s involved, not taking the time or making attempts to understand where the other is coming from or be open minded about the situation.

Durban's English Market, not my favourite part of the city

By the time we were done with the interviews we were starving. I myself had not eaten breakfast as I had been rushing to get town to catch the morning rush and busyness of the taxi’s. So before we headed back to the office, Dube and the driver took us to a shisa nyama, on the outskirts of the early morning market, where they usually grab a bite to eat. I must admit that I am not a fan of the market, if you live in Durban you will understand why, but this experience called me to get out of mu comfort zone and be open minded. Once I started eating the meat, which tasted devine, and downing an ice cold coke I forgot about my surroundings and the fact that there was good conversation helped.



Damn that meat was good



Then of course it was back to the office to document my findings. I was some what exhausted and having to sit in front of the computer was a drag. Call me lazy, maybe I am, but it made me realize how tiring their job was. I only did two trips around the CBD and they do almost more than 50 every day. I have a new found respect for drivers and their conductors. *done with me*

sthombe@yahoo.com