As the World celebrates the International Nelson Mandela Day on Tuesday, in Ledig outside Rustenburg in the North West, a shelter was unveiled that is meant to provide a resting place and comfortable place for commuters while waiting for taxis.
Nelson Mandela Day is commemorated worldwide by contributing 67 minutes to a good course whether it’s helping in an orphanage, giving a hand to the needy or building the much-needed shelter for taxi commuters as Sun City hotel and resorts establishment did.
Without shelter, the thousands of commuters are exposed to the elements such as rains and this structure would give them the protection and dignity they deserve.
While unveiling the structure, Sun City’s Sustainability Manager, Lwazi Mswelanto, said the project includes electrification of the taxi rank, a safety feature that would make visibility easier for both commuters and taxi drivers.
“There’ve been a lot of requests from our staff as you know that our staff are part of the community, we’ve about 90% of the staff from the local community, so they use this taxi rank everytime they come to work.
“So it (taxi rank) didn’t have a shade, and it wasn’t electrified and there’s no lighting, so staff has been concerned about the safety and as a company for once, we decided that we should do something that will benefit the staff, but not only them but also the community that we’ve around us,” explained Mswelanto.
He said their vision for fixing the taxi rank and preparing it, as well as making it to be refurbished, is in line with the International Nelson Mandela Day.
One of the residents, Keneilwe Maphosa, said they’re ecstatic about the development as they’ve been worried about their safety. She said whenever they knocked off late, they would be scared as the place was very dark, but they’re now relieved.
Taxi Associations in Ledig, who were present at the event welcomed the renovations done at the taxi rank, saying it will help with the safety of commuters and also protect them from extreme weather conditions.
In welcoming the development, the Chairperson of Lesuma Taxi Association, Lebogang Molefe, said they’ve been knocking on different doors for years now requesting assistance but they’re now happy about the developments.
