From top taxi driver to rank manager
BEHIND the kind eyes of 58-year-old Mavis Tholakele Dube is a fiery woman who spends her days running a taxi rank with a firm hand and a no nonsense attitude.
MaDube, as she is known to many, is currently a rank manager at eSikhaleni and has been part of the eSikhawini Taxi Association (ETA) since 1993.
She left her position as a teacher at Ongoye High School to join the taxi business.
‘My father was a taxi owner and that’s when I started driving a taxi.
‘When I started it was very difficult because woman drivers were not treated as equals to men.
‘Being in a male dominated industry became a challenge and I faced discrimination and many struggles.
‘Passengers sometimes got out of the taxi when they realised a woman was the driver,’ she said.
But MaDube persevered and soon became one of the association’s top drivers, even winning driver awards.
‘I had fallen in love with the industry and wanted to do nothing else but transport people to their various destinations. I made many friends and became part of the community.’
She said she never wanted to be labelled as a ‘female driver’ as the term in itself is discriminatory.
MaDube is a mother of seven children and many grandchildren.
With her driving salary she managed to get them all through high school and university.
‘The money I earned as a taxi driver produced managers and company owners.
My children were able to study what they wanted.
‘Looking back now I am truly proud that I persevered and was able to raise my family, put food on the table and give them a proper education,’ said MaDube.
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This year MaDube was promoted as rank manager at eSikhaleni, focusing on the local as well as Dlangezwa to eSikhaleni routes.
As an early riser, she is usually the first person at the rank and her role is to ensure operations run smoothly and all procedures are followed.
She arranges vehicles and decides which routes they must take on the day.
‘I also have to ensure all vehicles are roadworthy. Sometimes I have to make tough decisions to ensure the safety of our commuters.
‘Our passengers expect our vehicles to be safe and we are also trying to get rid of all the stigmas. That’s why we have to be professional at all times.’
After 26 years in the game, MaDube encourages young women to also become part of the business.
‘There is no shame in working in the taxi business and earning an honest living.’