Women in the male-dominated taxi industry

RUSSO LUMA
Correspondent | Thursday September 23, 2010 00:00

The Francistown taxi rank is experiencing a steady increase in female taxi drivers.

The few feminine voices are so lively that the cacophony of male voices fails to swallow them when it comes to calling out for passengers or asking them where they are going. They are bouncy.  And not in any way feeling small by the preponderance of male taxi drivers. It is interesting that even when their male colleagues want to jump the queue. These ladies speak out unfazed by their masculinity.

'I joined the taxi industry because I did not want to be an employee to anyone. I wanted to own a business and I had to buy my own taxi to do that. I start working at 7.30am so that I prepare my children for school. I normally knock of at 6pm to go and see my kids,' said Hilda Ndlovu. From her vibrant voice, it is clear that she loves her job.

'There were no jobs around, so I had to turn the car I had into a taxi to help me pay rent and improve my life in general. Male taxi drivers treat us like their sisters. When our taxis have broken down, they would be very much willing to help out.

'We only stand there and watch them fixing them. We only have a problem with some passengers who would want to take advantage of the fact that we are women and refuse to pay,' said Keitumetse Kudumane.

She went on to encourage other women who are interested in being taxi drivers not to hesitate,because a woman can easily cope with the challenges of the job.

Another female taxi driver, Beauty Tankane, who has been in the industry for four years does not see taxi driving as something that should only be done by men. She enjoys her job.

She joined the taxi industry because she could not find a job. Just like Kudumane, she said that they have a wonderful working relationship with their counterparts. 'Looking at the issue of children, taxi driving for a woman can only be a problem if she gets on the road too early in the morning before the children wake up and returns late in the evening.

In that case, you would not have enough time to spend with your children. Being on the road till at night can also lead to attacks especially from male passengers especially those who take a taxi on special,' Tankane said. She related a story of a female taxi driver who was attacked by passengers.

She complained about lack of parking spaces in some areas and children who play on the roads.

'In some areas, there are no parking spaces, so if you just stop anywhere to pick passengers, the police charge you. There are also three to five year olds who play on the roads. One has to be really careful when driving,' Tankane said.