‘No perks and every cent counts in this business’
SIZWE Makhathini is a taxi driver who lives in Pietermaritzburg’s France township and drives the Richmond Crescent route. How old are you?
I am 60, which is old for a driver. Most drivers are very young, almost half my age. What is your family status?
I am married, although I would say most of the drivers are not married and almost all of them have families to support because they have children out of wedlock. Are you the main breadwinner?
Yes, I am the only breadwinner and my kids rely on me tremendously. My salary goes towards my family, school fees, groceries — everything. What routes do you drive?
I drive the Richmond Crescent route. It mostly services residents going to and from work, as well as pupils. My passengers are mostly middleclass people, teachers, nurses, government employees and some in the private sector. Mostly it is during rush hours and the traffic is so tense. I drop them off at their workplace and some at the ranks. Describe a typical day.
I usually wake up at 3am and get back home at about 9pm. During my spare time, I try to get as much rest as I can. During the rush hours, you have to be focused and attentive. How did you become a taxi driver?
Due to a lack of employment. Are there any perks?
You mean like tips? We do not get any. Every cent counts in this business. What is the grinding part?
The thing I hate most is the long hours, because I can hardly do anything of my own. What do you consider to be your future prospects?
I wish I could own my own taxi one day, because I am currently running someone else’s business and I always wish it was my own.