THE Democratic Alliance took to promoting their jobs campaign in an unusual way when they cruised the streets of Alexandra, Johannesburg, in a branded minibus taxi
Sporting faces of party leaders Helen Zille, Lindiwe Mazibuko and national spokesman Mmusi Maimane, the taxi yesterday made its way through crowded streets.
Maimane, who led the initiative, stopped to talk to hawkers, schoolchildren and the unemployed about their daily challenges and the prospects of finding jobs.
He said the purpose of the campaign was to speak to the "usually neglected class of the country".
"This is to create a dialogue between us and the people on the ground. Our government has failed to talk to these people, forgetting they too are role-players in the economy of this country."
He said they were targeting Alexandra because of its "visible challenges".
"Alexandra has been left behind in terms of development and it's sad because there are motivated people here who make ends meet by selling on the street."
A hawker, who only introduced himself as Vusi, said small businesses were not recognised by government.
"We have lots of challenges like securing start-up capital and shelter, but we are not being heard."
Maimane said the party wanted the taxi branding to coincide with the campaign.
"This is our first branded taxi and we hope to have more operating on the streets in four months."
Taxi owner Victoria Mlangeni, whose taxi was the first to be branded, said: "It's a good thing that they are doing and it's going to help other taxi drivers whose businesses are struggling".