Michael Sakuneka

Michael Sakuneka

Taxi drivers employed by the N'wamitwa Taxi Association outside Tzaneen in Limpopo will now be able to get free membership of the association.

The drivers have to first work for a single taxi owner for a period of five years before they can be allowed to become licensed taxi owners.

Previously, the unwritten rules compelled taxi drivers to work for 10 years before they could be allowed to join the association as a taxi owner or pay high joining fees.

The change of heart came after drivers embarked on a two-day strike this week, demanding a review of the association's policy to enable them to also benefit.

Spokesperson for the drivers, Mandy Ximange, said they were also unhappy that vehicles of some taxi owners were operating in all routes and deprived other operators a fair share of the income.

He accused the association chairman, Amos Mongwe, of registering vehicles without consulting other association members.

"We are very excited and hope we will become our own bosses," Ximange said.

The drivers said in the past they were used to getting no payment when they lost their jobs.

They said the reduction of the number of years for one to qualify to be a taxi owner will also encourage them to work even harder.

The association had about 150 taxis which operated from the N'wamitwa area to Tzaneen and NkowaNkowa township each day.

The drivers also appealed to the government to speed up the construction of the new taxi rank in the area.