A taxi depot owned by two Mamelodi-based taxi associations namely Mamelodi Local and Long Distance Taxi Association and the Mamelodi Amalgamated Taxi Association was opened on Friday in the Far East of Mamelodi.
Anongst the guests were SANTACO President Abner Tsebe, Tshwane taxi chairperson Mpho Motsepe, Brokhonspriut chairperson Mr Rasepai and different taxi industry members.
According to Mamelodi Local and Long Distance Taxi Association (MALLDTA) boss Stemmer Monageng, the depot was established with the main aim being to create jobs for local Mamelodi residents who are suffering under the scourge of unemployment.
“When we had a conversation with local Councillor Marishane it emerged that large numbers of young residents who don’t possess Matric don’t have a chance of being employed anywhere and that this taxi depot venture will give them a chance to be employed as it doesn’t necessarily require Matric qualifications,” he said.
“Besides a filling station, the depot will also have a mini mall which in my opinion will be a historic venture because no taxi association has ever owned a mall in South Africa and the mall will be up and running in June or July next year, and will result in up to 200 local residents being employed,” said Monageng.
“I must emphasise again that the main aim of establishing the mall is to plough back into the community of Mamelodi because all along as the taxi industry we have been taking and taking from them without giving anything back, so now is the time for us to show through this venture that we always have the interests of the community in our hearts,” enthused Monageng.
Mamelodi Amalgamated Taxi Association (MATA) boss Ben Maredi pleaded with Ward Councillors to work hand-in-hand with the taxi industry because such a working relationship will work wonders for the taxi industry and he also expressed happiness that Councillors always come and support MALLDTA and MATA each time the two organisations invite them to their events.
One resident Virginia Moloi expressed her heartfelt thanks to MALLDTA and MATA because the filling station and mini mall venture will help the township to thrive as many youths who are presently sitting at home unemployed will now get an opportunity to be employed.
Kagiso Sibiya who works closely with the Councillor of Ward 17 told Tshwane Talks that as the leadership of the ward they are very happy to see the MALLDTA and MATA initiative which will alleviate poverty in their ward, help put food on the table and take many youths out of the habit of indulging in drugs.
Another lady resident said all that she is pleased about is that the venture will create jobs for local youths.
The land on which the filling station was built was purchased through a 99-year lease agreement and MALLDTA and MATA spent almost R200 000 in this regard.
Monageng announced that owners and drivers of cars using diesel taxi vehicles must come to the filling station starting next week to register and acquire loyalty cards which will help drivers to get 10 cents from each litter of diesel that they purchase from the filling station while taxi owners of such vehicles will get 20 cents in this regard at the end of every month.
He said the loyalty card will help the two taxi organisations to see if their members are supporting the filling station or not as this will be important when coming to sharing dividends that they must earn as they are in actual fact owners of the filling station.
ANC Chief Whip and also Deputy Chief Whip in the City of Tshwane Municipality Council Councillor Seabelo Marishane told Tshwane Talks at the event that the newly-opened state of the art filling station owned by MALLDTA and MATA is a great milestone that will create jobs for the residents of Mamelodi as well as individuals involved in the taxi industry.
“As Councillors we have been part of this venture from its inception up until today when we are cutting the ribbon and we are encouraging the City of Tshwane to continue to partner with the taxi industry through the Department of Roads and Transport to make sure that we continue this legacy and come up with many other successful infrastructure projects like this one,” he said.
“The taxi industry has faced many challenges over the years, conflicts,
misconduct, and poor service have sometimes overshadowed our potential.
From Today, we can set a new standard: one of professionalism,
accountability, and service excellence,” SANTACO president Abner Tsebe said.
Tsebe further said we must correct the way we conduct business. We must respect our
customers, value their loyalty, and ensure that every interaction reflects
positively on our industry. If we fail to do this, we risk undermining the very
enterprises we create. But if we act responsibly, today’s success will be the
foundation for even greater achievements tomorrow.
“This fuel station represents more than just a business. It represents
leadership, vision, and a commitment to economic empowerment. It signals
that the taxi industry can create opportunities for its members, generating
jobs, and contributing meaningfully to local and national development.
Congratulations to you MATA and MALLDTA for showing the way forward,
proving that when associations act decisively and responsibly, the entire
industry benefits,” concluded SANTACO president Tsebe.
The filling station is situated along the Solomn Mahlangu K69 Road in the Far East of Mamelodi.
Michael Uys from a company called TU Energies told Tshwane Talks that his company is the the one funding and developing the MALLDTA and MATA project which he described as a pilot project.
“The depot will only be used by the taxi industry and the forthcoming mini complex will have a full-on workshop whereby tyres, spare parts and car body parts will be serviced and a car wash will also be established and ten to fifteen retail stores will be opened; which means we are creating a mini complex which is owned by the taxi industry and the community of Mamelodi at large and all employees working at this venture must be from Mamelodi and our motto is that money made in the township is money that stays in the township,” enthused Uys.
He said the total costs of the project amount to between R4 billion and R8 billion rand and the fuel depot will effectively start trading on Wednesday next week with 15 employees.
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