Taxi owner Peter Mabe juggled work, studying and making time for his family. In the end, it paid off.

Mabe, chairman of the Dobsonville-Roodepoort-Leratong-Johannesburg taxi association, was among 98 taxi bosses who graduated from a programme aimed at changing people's mindset about the taxi industry. The programme, run in conjunction with Wits University, was funded by the City of Johannesburg.

It was aimed at improving the state of the taxi and Rea Vaya bus industries through governance, leadership, operation management, entrepreneurship, negotiations and conflict management.

"The sleepless nights trying to squeeze in a few hours of studying and then having my nine-year-old asking me if I am going to pass was not easy ... but we are happy that we have been able to set an example," Mabe said.

MMC for transport in the City of Johannesburg, Nonhlanhla Helen Makhuba, said the purpose of the course was for taxi owners to grow in a formal education environment and thus broaden their already existing leadership and organisational skills.

She said the programme was also aimed at levelling the business playing field by equipping taxi owners with the knowledge they needed.

SA National Taxi Council's Ralph Jones said the taxi business also needs to be run properly. "We are serving as an example to our children and families. We are not just abo mageza. We add to this country's gross domestic product and play a crucial role in making sure that thousands of people get to their destinations safely," Jones said.