MAMA TAXI: END OF A CARTOON ERA

IT’S not easy producing a newspaper cartoon every day, particularly one which manages to strike two poignant chords: it’s got to have its finger on the pulse of the country and city, and it has to be humorous.

And yet that’s exactly what Deni Brown and Gavin Thompson did, every day, unwaveringly, for 13 years since 2005. Mama Taxi is 13 years old. Who’d have thought?

It seemed like only yesterday we were introduced to the main characters, a wily minibus taxi driver and a sassy braided teen. There were other characters, too, that came and went, but those two remained constant, discussing the zeitgeist of South Africa – from e-tolls to potholes, the petrol price to corrupt cops and politicians – they’ve covered it all. And now, we have to bid the cartoon a sad farewell.

Many of our readers turn straight to Page 2 religiously to search for their daily fix. There have been times when we’ve been forced to move the cartoon, much to the chagrin of you, our readers, who would not hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a piece of your mind. Sadly, no more.

Mama Taxi author Deni Brown can no longer continue to pen the characters’ daily travails.

There’s a tribute to her inside on Page 11 and as you can see, today we’ve also given Mama Taxi pride of place at the very top of this page.

How does one sum up 13 years in such a short space? How does one say goodbye? Brown, we know the road ahead may be the toughest you have ever faced, but we wish you the best with these words: Peace be the journey.