CAPE TOWN – OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha was packed to the rafters on Thursday, 12 February, for the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association’s (Codeta) opening ceremony, where blessings were invoked for the year ahead.
The event was attended by church and party-political leaders, as well as association members from Cape Town to Beaufort West, said Codeta spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana.
“Since we had a closing ceremony last year in October, we saw it as only fitting that we open the year on a similar note and let our commuters know that we are back. We want to thank them for their patience and for believing in us,” he said.
Tumana expressed gratitude to Codeta’s drivers for doing “a stunning job”, adding that the association recorded zero fatalities during the past festive season.
“As an association, we changed our working strategy and decided to interact more with our commuters. We are available on social media, where our commuters can share their grievances and also praise us where appropriate,” he said.
African National Congress (ANC) leader in the Dulcie September Region, Ndithini Tyhido, expressed support and praised the association for making a difference in society.
“We give credit to the leadership of Codeta for doing a great job by ensuring that there were no fatalities on any of its routes during the festive season, by professionalising the public transport industry, and by minimising taxi violence,” he said.
Amanazarethi Amahle Zion Church leader in Mfuleni, Reverend Khedamile Sobopha, said church leaders were present to offer hope.
“We are here to testify to the power of God. He is Alpha and Omega. No one is greater than Him. We wish the taxi operators all the best for the year ahead,” he said.
