Rival taxi associations end year in prayer

After decades of not seeing eye to eye, the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (CODETA) shared a stage together at the end-of-year prayer hosted by CATA at the Lusaka Stadium in Nyanga.

The two associations had been in a conflict over taxi routes that has claimed many lives but on Tuesday they strengthened their relationship and a peace agreement that they came to last year in Stellenbosch.

The former foes turned friends had invited the politicians who had helped them reach the agreement and church leaders who urged them to maintain the peace.

CATA spokesman Nkululeko Sityebi said it was a special day for the two associations.

He said the two associations met last year in Stellenbosch and resolved their differences and are now fulfilling their peace agreement. “Today we are closing the year. In fact we are celebrating the end of the year as per usual but in a different way because we invited CODETA, church leaders and politicians. These are individuals that helped us resolve our problems in this industry. This was a great achievement. We will work with all to make sure that there is no blood spilled,” he said.

Velile Tshambu, CODETA chairperson, said the peace deal was a positive move for the taxi industry.

He said for years it was not easy to operate smoothly and even for them to visit Nyanga. He singled out United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa, Mandala Mgwelana and Japan Rhorho for their help and patience to bring them together.

He said it was through efforts by the trio and others that the conflict had ended.

“They came to intervene. Mr Holomisa would come all the way to talk to us about the dangers of the fight and the two senior citizens would always tell us to stop the fight and focus on the business. Hats off to them. Today we are in Nyanga, something that would rarely have happened before. This is a great achievement for the industry. We have lost many lives in this violence. Let's strengthen this relationship and our industry will be peaceful.”

Mr Tshambu said he was happy that passengers could travel safely this festive season. He added that the peace should not only end here but extend to the Eastern Cape. “We are done with senseless killing of each other. Even when we get back home in the Eastern cape we should unite. This move needs to be celebrated by all.”

Deputy chairperson of the SA National Taxi Council in the Western Cape, Nceba Enge said he was pleased with the outcome and condemned the past killings. “We are happy you have sat down and resolved the problems. The killings have been meaningless and senseless. We do not want any killings again. We want to put an end to our differences and work for prosperity,” he said.

Mr Holomisa was equally elated seeing the two associations talking peace. He said he was happy that his hard work had finally paid off. “This is a big day for all of us. I hope I am not going to come down here to intervene in some fight again. My only wish now is for them to form one big association. This different names and separation by areas does not help,“ he said.

The clergy had its time to talk and pray for the management of the associations.

Reverend Mzukisi Faleni conducted the prayer and called for peace. He urged the associations to have more meetings where they will sit together and enjoy themselves. “In January we need to be in Site C and pray for their taxis too. We want to put a cross on those taxis. But we are happy that you have come a long way and ended the war,” he said.

Ending the day, candles were lit in honour of those killed and as a symbol of unity.