Tivika the cabdriver
THE FIJI TIMES
WOMEN are extraordinary human beings. There have been many instances where women are able to fulfil both their role and the role of men. And in playing either role when the need arises, they become outstanding in what they do.
One particular woman who turned heads each time when she drove on the roads to pick up passengers was Unaisi Tivika, 44, of Samabula.
She proved that a woman could be very successful in the taxi business.
An article published in The Fiji Times on November 23, 1978, said after six years as a taxi operator, she had four homes on rent, four taxis, two private cars, and was financially stable.
Her ‘empire’ was built with the help of her earnings as a taxidriver.
“Women should have equal opportunity to run their own business, we can do a lot better than men,” she said.
For Mrs Tivika, the taxi industry was her life, her future and her hobby.
Being a full-time driver in her own business, she still found the time to do all the housework.
Driving was exciting but Mrs Tivika found it strenuous at times when she had to drive from early morning to late at night.
She said that it was through hard work and resolve that she built her business.
One taxi alone would have grossed her $700 in her weekly earnings. From this she would buy weekly supplies for her home and pay other bills, and the balance would bank. She employed three drivers to operate her two other taxis and two mechanics to look after the vehicles.
Mrs Tivika had joined the Tabua Taxis Co-operative and owned taxis with radio telephones. She had thought of going abroad for several months but she opted to stay because of her business.
Mrs Tivika obtained her private driving license in 1969 and got her taxi permit in 1972.
She was from Buliya, Ono, in Kadavu and had four grown-up children at the time the article was published.
Women should
have equal opportunity to run their own business, ...
– Unaisi Tivika