A taxi association has come to the aid of three beauty queens who needed funds to travel to Botswana for a pageant.

Lisakhanya Masika, 17, Sonwabise Ngcwangu, 16, and Bongokuhle Mzantsi, 17, found themselves scrambling to find the finances to get to the Miss Born A Star 2024 pageant later this month.

Not knowing where they could get the money to fly to Botswana, the three found themselves at the Nyanga Terminus to ask for help.

To their surprise and that of their parents, on a rainy Wednesday, September 18, a small celebration was held at the offices of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), where the three teenagers received a donation of R30 000 from the association.

Parents and community members including the local councillors praised the association for its gesture.

Nyanga councillor Sandile Martins in his opening remarks said: “Moments like these remind us of the power of kindness and compassion, and how even a small act can make a difference. This is the side of the taxi industry that the media have never shown. All people know is that the industry kills and its members are rude. But today we are gathered here to say thank you to them for showing the other side of them. I have always relied on them for many things and they have never disappointed,” said Mr Martins.

Mr Martins encouraged the community to spread positivity and continue to support the association. His words were echoed by the two of the teenagers’ parents Pheliwe Masika and Nokulunga Ngcwangu who were present.

Ms Masika said she had to postponed her journey to the Eastern Cape to bury her brother to be present.

“This day will live on in our hearts. I could not go without seeing this happen. I guess I speak on behalf of all the parents to say, we are grateful,” she said.

Ms Ngcwangu said: “I would fail myself to leave this house without thanking the association. We were really in a corner to get money to fly these children to Botswana. May you be blessed in a true sense of the word,” she said.

The association’s first deputy chairman of the region Mnikeli Mgophe said he was surprised to see children coming to seek help at the association as people have a negative perception about the organisation. He said upon seeing them, he could not believe it but was thrilled that there are people who know that taxi owners are parents, brothers, mothers and sisters too, and not the animals they are made out to be.

“Rest assured that Cata is a good organisation. We have done a lot of good things but never publicised them. We are doing this donation to the three to warm the children's heart and because we care for our youths. If people need help, they should come knock in our offices. But we are not promising that we will help, but you will never know,” he said.

Cata deputy secretary in Nyanga, Mangi Titi concluded the day by inviting people to join them in the fight against crime and unemployment. He said the association has employed more that 20 000 drivers and officer bearers.

He promised to support the three contestants, whether they win or lose in Botswana. Mr Mangi said they were preparing a motorcade that will fetch them at the airport when they return.

Cata deputy secretary in Nyanga, Mangi Titi believes that Cata and the community can defeat unemployment and crime if they can work together.

Cata’s first deputy chairman of the region Mnikeli Mgophe said his organisation is run by good people.

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Taxi association gives beauty queens wings