Members of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) held a prayer service under the watchful eyes of heavily armed guards on Tuesday 14 November.
The service, at Lusaka Stadium, was organised to give the Lord glory for protecting members during the year.
The service was attended by a number of prominent people including Bantu Holomisa; the leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), People’s Movement for Change (PMC) leader Marius Fransman, ANC Dulhar Omar Region chair Ndithini Tyhido and former Umhlobo Wenene FM broadcaster Rev Mzukisi Faleni.
Moses Monaheng, CATA chair, described the service as means to celebrate the fact that they are still alive. He described the year as a hard for everyone in the industry.
“Today we are here to celebrate. We are saying thanks to God for protecting us. What is impossible with us, it is possible with God. I want to thank members of CATA and Codeta (Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association) for being united and becoming one family,” said Monaheng.
He expressed his gratitude to the leaders who often mediate between the two rivals.
He stated that they are also celebrating the fact that their vehicles are no longer impounded as previously confiscated by the law enforcement agencies.
Monaheng said taxi operators are notorious for bad behaviour.
However, he stated that he likes the fact that the community saw how they were badly treated by the provincial government during the taxi strike this year.
“We are grateful to the community members, church and political leaders for their support during the taxi-related strike. The taxi industry is the only business that is fully owned by black people in this country. It is the only business that is not captured by the government,” he stated.
He urged the community to keep on supporting them.
Abathunywa Ministers Fraternity president and leader of Apostolic Amen in Zion in Gugulethu Rev Zama Mfihlo described the service as “a special day”.
Abathunywa is an organisation for church leaders in the province. They work closely with communities to uplift them spiritually.
“This is not just a service, but it is a way of coming closer to the people. Taxi operators are human beings and not animals. Now, they are creating a platform for all of us to talk to God and ask for forgiveness,” said Mfihlo, adding that life is too short to hold grudges.
He urged the taxi drivers to obey the rules of the road all the time.
“It is that time of the year when people go on holiday to various places.
“We are appealing to the taxi drivers not to drink and drive. It is important for them to take a break when they feel exhausted,” appealed Mfihlo.