A high level delegation of representatives of various taxi associations descended on Khayelitsha’s Mew Way hall, on Thursday July 26, to drum up support for the All African Alliances (AAA) – a proposed new political party to drive a political agenda for the industry.
The associations believe the party would be able to address many of their woes and owners said they were also working towards a peace pact between rival taxi associations and within the industry.
In a packed hall, speakers from the taxi industry said they wanted to establish a peaceful and respected industry and that they were tired of seeing their people die while politicians thrived.
Addressing the gathering, Uncedo national president, Ntsikelelo Gaehler, called on members to stop killing each other and focus on the formation of the political party.
A fiery Mr Gaehler said he believed that the country’s political parties had failed them. “Today let us take a decision to say it is not good to kill. I know how it is to lose loved ones in the taxi violence. I lost two brothers, who had nothing to do with taxis,” he said, urging members to change their attitude and mindset.”If you had already hired imbovane (hitman), give up that money and say no to killings,” he said.
His deputy, Phindile Goqoza, said among the issues the associations would fight for were the lucrative taxi routes. He said it was time for associations to unite and form a political movement to fight their battles in the national assembly and provincial legislatures.
“If we stand united there’s a lot we can achieve. We are here to plant a seed. We are here to rescue ourselves. Let us protect our business. It is crucial that we stand together,” he said.
Mr Goqoza appealed for peace among the associations. He said as leaders they were leading frustrated people (the drivers) and that led to the decline in business.
He said their problems would be a thing of the past once the party was formed.
Former ANC Member of Parliament, Nomakhaya Mdaka, supported the idea of a political party which she believed would give taxi owners more rights.
Retired political scientist and head of the Political Studies Department at the University of the Western Cape, Keith Gottschalk, said the organisers of the new party should brace themselves for an “incredible hard work”, including fund-raising, marketing and luring other political parties.
“They still have to share their policies with the masses. We have seen new parties such as the Independent Democrats and the Congress of People coming up but failing to make the grade. The likes of the United Democratic Movement came and did well in the first year but they have since shrinked. The parties that played a vital role in our liberation in the 60s like the Pan Africanist Congress shrinked to 0 percent.
“The failure of such parties should be a warning to the new party,” he warned.
He said the AAA should be aware that it is going to face an uphill battle with parties like the African National Congress and Democratic Alliance. But he said the ANC and the DA should worry too because they will be losing a certain percentage of support.