Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

The official opening of the only taxi rank in Mookgophong, formerly Naboomspruit, has given the area a welcome face lift.

Scores of people danced, sang and ululated during the glittering ceremony held at the small mining town on Sunday.

Mookgophong municipality spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said the construction of the taxi rank was a labour intensive project that offered jobs to 37 locals .

He said the rank was built for about R1,2million. It has an ablution block and is fenced in for the protection of commuters and taxi operators.

"Before construction, commuters would line up the streets of the town waiting for taxis to ferry them back to their homes, making them vulnerable targets of crime," he said.

Seshoka said the construction would also minimise the high rate of littering in the central business district which degraded the environment.

Taxi operator Joseph Makgobela said they expected an economic boom now that a proper taxi rank would attract consumers.

Mariam Morerwa, a street vendor, said the rank would be "definitely good" for business.