The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) Provincial Office Manager Sifiso Shangase has said taking part again in this years’ 97th Comrades Marathon is another way of showing how the association is serious about transforming the taxi industry image.
Over the years, the taxi industry has had a bad reputation within the communities but Shangase said being part of such events shows that the industry has changed.
The organisation is also of the view that it is important to embark on the initiatives which aims to promote health and wellbeing within the communities it serves.
Speaking to Voice On The Move Radio, Shangase who is also Santaco spokesperson said his organisation was assisted by the the Operation Hlokomela teams and volunteers from the communities by giving out water and other related refreshments as the runners faced a gruelling upward run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
He pointed out that it should be remembered that some of the athletes are their customers passengers while others grew up using the taxis.
“Santaco is part of the communities and it helps the communities that it serves on different initiatives. The volunteers we had this year will be paid which is part of giving back to the communities that we serve and on top of that our taxis were also hired to transport some of the athletes taking part in the CMA race. All in all the day was a success, everybody won, “said Shangase.
Shangase said Santaco would like to congratulate all those who won in the ultimate human race which he said was a success.